Ketamine For Depression? (Page 43) (Top voted first)

It was recommended by the members of a separate thread that one be started that directly relates to ketamine and it's use to treat depression.

If anyone besides myself would like to discuss it's use as a treatment for depression, feel free to post your questions, answers and experiences here.

This thread is an offshoot of a related one that discussed a treatment of Scopolamine for depression.

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Re: CityguyUSA (# 887)

Hey City, I read the opposite, that oral is the least effective! It's pretty clear that we need more research. I'm not sure how easy it would be to obtain ketamine powder for a pharmacy to compound here in small town Ontario and Canadian drs seem more reluctant to prescribe off label than are their American counterparts.

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Re: Joseph (# 889)

I just know what the pharmacist told me. I took 3 10mg capsules a day and from what I think I remember reading those only last like 4 hours so you aren't even getting a 24 hour period of coverage but ups and downs but I can tell you I never noticed any side effect or highs or lows. I felt consistently good. My depression issues are definitely gone and my neuropathies burning in my back, legs, knees and feet are all gone and I often would miss a dose because it was the only medication I took 3 x per day and I still felt fine.

As to being able to get the powder... I live in a city of about 40,000 up to 60,000 if you want to include the suburbs and as far as I know, we have only 2 compounding pharmacies. How much demand they have for the powder and how much must be purchased is out of my knowledge base but I gotta believe that the manufacturer wants to sell as much as possible even if that means selling small batches.

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Re: Joseph (# 889)

Injesting ketamine really does not work just get you upset stomach..

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Re: CityguyUSA (# 890)

I'm glad what your doing is helping. I wish it was an option in Ontario.

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jimta (# 877) --

Upadhyay (sp) he was in York, PA but has moved to Harrisburg without even telling me as asupposed patient. He's a good diagnostician but he is money hungry. He told me if it comes down to his kids or me it's going to be his kids. You might think that but don't say it out loud. I never forgot that.

Anyway he started me on ketamine, no office visits just called in for refills and he typically gave me 3 months. Then everything changed and he wanted me in the office every month which I couldn't afford and even though I told him the most he would go was every other month. If you have money it's not an issue just a pain.

He was in the US Navy for what it's worth and he has serious movement issues himself. He's personable and he's not like some doctors that treat you like an addict just because you have problems with what they presecribed.

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Cai (# 492) --

I live on the west side of Canada. I have depression in most parts of my life and anti-depressants prove to be of little effect. I took ketamine IV in Portland last month and it changed my life. Not only my depression was lifted, my fibromyalgia was gone as well. However, the effect lasted only 3 days. I'd like to pursue the route of oral ketamine to get an enduring effect. My GP and psychiatrist are reluctant to prescribe oral ketamine but they'd like to refer me to the doctors who are willing to. Do you think you could ask your neuropsychiatrist whether they are willing to take any new patients or do you happen to know other doctors who prescribe ketamine? If it is confidential to post your doctor's information online, could you email me?

Editor's note: Per our privacy policy we do not allow individuals to post their own personal contact information on our discussion threads. Please note however, that there is nothing wrong with sharing doctor information as long as it can be verified.

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Re: Lou (# 891)

I had no side effects of taking Ketamine. That's what made it such a good choice. Certainly more problems related to the MS Kontin.

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Re: jimta (# 876)

There is a place called Relieve Us in Havertown in Pa that does Ketamine , without insurance.

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Ketamine has been used for years to treat severe depression. The theory behind it is to reboot if you will, the brain as opposed to extra. It’s the same principal, but without memory impairment.

It’s hard to judge the success rate as it is used almost as a last resort next to low dose of opioids. Yes you read it write for extreme clinical depression some of us have used low dose oxycodone to relieve symptoms.

Ketamine can be effective however, each person can react to it differently. It is safe as long as someone is monitoring you and the dose should be no more then 40mg. Madazolam should be on hand to stop side effects that may arise due to the psycho effective. I have had more success with cannabis or cannabinol for extreme cases patients can use it prn and it can have extreme benefits with sleep and sleep architecture.

Don’t get me wrong before Ketamine I might suggest cannabinol in oil form.

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Breaking news: It looks like a new ketamine-like medication in the form of a nasal spray is coming to the market for treatment resistant depression:

March 5, 2019 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for the treatment of depression in adults who have tried other antidepressant medicines but have not benefited from them (treatment-resistant depression).

Source: FDA approves new nasal spray medication for treatment-resistant depression ...

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I tried IV ketamine in the ER after a severe bout of depression and it gave me immediate relief. I still ended up being hospitalized a few days later, but normally the treatment is done in a series, so I think I would have benefited from that. I have been getting ads on social media about at-home ketamine, and have done some research on it for an article, but don't know anyone who has tried it for mental health. Has anyone used one of the new companies like Mindbloom or Tripsitter to use ketamine in this way?

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I have been using Ketamine on my own for a short time to help treat a sever depressive episode. All I can say is wow! This drug is like a miracle. It truly changed my life, for the better. I was experiencing severe depression and having extreme dark thoughts. Ketamine not relieved me of my depression but inspired me. It gave me such a profound spiritual feeling of "oneness" I have never experienced in my life, I felt connected within myself. And I have tried many different type drugs and remedies. Pharmaceuticals cannot even touch the miraculous qualities of this drug for relieving severe acute depression, it's a game changer. I've been using nasally inhaled, small measured doses. 25mg-50mg per dose depending. I would say to anyone that is sceptical about this drug, PLEASE give it a chance and keep an open mind. It would be amazing for the medical community to accept and embrace this drug in the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions. I have treatment resistant depression and this drug changed my life. Game changer! It almost reawakens the soul.

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I am trying ketamine for the first time. I'm wondering what to expect how did it effect people? Did it help with depression?

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KETAMINE SAVED MY LIFE!!!! I was on death's door ready to kill myself, I had the means to do it too, had it all planned. Not anymore, I love life, it's so precious. This drug is nothing short of miracle for depression. I love this drug, it's given my life back. I thank whatever higher power brought me to ketamine and saved my soul from me ending my life. I NEVER want to be like that again!! Life is great!!!

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Thanks for the reply, Michael. I'm going to hold off on going the intranasal route because I was actually able to schedule an infusion for next Wednesday in San Diego. Will see how/if I respond to the procedure and, if positive, look at options for a long-term treatment plan

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I have experience with both the spray and the infusion.

I had a much greater length of relief with the infusion, but must also comment that I sill have had some decent success with the spray.

I hesitate to make any broad comments regarding dosing regimens regarding the spray since my doctor, Dr. Sajben, made it very clear that each person can and will respond differently to intranasal ketamine. I suggest that you proceed with patience and caution and work with your doctor to find the appropriate dose.

In my case, the relief from depression from the infusion that I received at UCLA lasted almost a month. With the intranasal spray I find that I get relief lasting between one to two days and sometimes as long as a week.

I might try the infusion again, but should comment that the intranasal route hasn't been too much of a bother. I don't care for the taste when it runs down my throat, but the dopy-ness from the ketamine isn't altogether that horrible and that if I just find a good time to chill at home for about 45 minutes or so in the evening I come out of it just fine with no residual hang-over.

Anyway, that's my experience. All the best to everyone out there.

Keep up the good fight! ;-)

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Hello,
It is actually quite good. I feel much better. It's quite amazing how fast change came. I do not feel completely NEW person, but rather myself again. Hope it will stay. I'm so glad that I've found Dr. Fruitman and now when I see it really works I can recommend him to other sufferers.

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From what the NIH docs told me, John's experience isn't
all that unusual. I met about 10 people in the study while in Bethesda and only 3 had a positive experience with the infusion.

All of us were "treatment resistant Major Depression" sufferers so we all knew what it was like not to be able to get better.

The NIH docs said Ketamine use for emergency room patients who came in suicidal, was at least 3 years away from being considered as an option. Likely longer to actually be FDA approved.

Not everyone responds to it as far as having depression symptoms relieved and the NIH docs said multiple times, the effects haven't ever been shown to work longer than 2 weeks.

So Ketamine will never be used as a treatment, period. The goal of the study is to have a fast way to treat suicidal patients so they don't commit suicide before they are taken somewhere for long term treatment.

I can't tell you how many times every person at the NIH who qualified me and the treating physicians made that very clear.

I feel it's important to share this with everyone reading this because many, including myself, were/are under the impression this is a cure or a treatment. It is not and there are "no plans to make it such a treatment".

I also feel some people who can't afford these infusions and nasal sprays some docs are using, will find a way to pay for it only to find it was a waste to money that could be better spent elsewhere or may even get the "street" Ketamine.

That, to me, would be disastrous and possibly result in jail time. The last thing any of us suffering with this horrible disease need is another problem to add to our list.

I think the people who posted links to other drugs & treatment forums are on the right path, we need to forget Ketamine as a solution for MDD and look to newer, more long term treatments and medications.

I don't say this to be snooty or because I don't understand people wanting to get Ketamine on their own, it crossed my mind as well. But I've already spend over $70,000 on meds, docs, and treatments that didn't work and I've had Major Depressive Disorder for 20+ years.

Lastly, my major depression went "off the charts" bad in about 2006-2007 and I have not had a remission (even for 24 hours) since then.

I too am very desperate for any relief I can get but after my experience with the NIH and the whole Ketamine issue, I now see it's not worth any more of time researching or trying to find it.

Having said that, pain patients are a whole different story, from what I understand that is where it is currently being successfully used and if you get someone out of chronic pain, you'll likely reduce their episodes of depression.

I'm only referring to people like myself who don't have severe chronic pain, only have Major Depression. I want to be clear I don't offend anyone who is successfully being treated with Ketamine.
The rest of us, we need to find a better way, and find it fast!!

God bless!!

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The NIH and other people doing clinical trials state you can't have "major depression with psychotic episodes". it has to be major depression without psychotic episode.

So for example, if you hear voices telling you to do this or that or have hallucinations, that's considered psychotic episodes and it's what I was told a "brain barrier" to the ketamine.

I suppose you could leave that out but I wouldn't because the psychosis isn't something anyone should have to suffer with and there are meds for it.

I do understand most people do not like the side effects of those meds and often will not stay on them which is a
personal decision but for some reason it will cause the ketamine to "not be as effective or not effective at all and may make the psychosis much worse".

Actually, one person who did the NIH study lied about the psychosis and he said the Ketamine made him feel like he was "on a week long bad acid trip". Begged for an antidote to the Ketamine ,poor guy.

So hopefully that helps.
Best of luck to you. I hate this disease so much and I feel for each and every one on this forum.

We have strength in numbers!

One side note, Emory University is doing the BEST study in my opinion.
They are implanting electrodes into "Area 25" of the brain, sounds like area 51-lol.

Anyway, their study has shown far better prognosis long-term than Ketamine which is only meant for short term, emergent use (per the NIH study objective).

They implant the electrode during surgery which you are awake for. When they tap into the spot that gives you immediate positive response, the electrode goes there and then you have a little box you take home which can adjust the amount of the current when a button is pressed while the box is held next to your head.

That's the study I wanted to participate in but there are a few catches. One I didn't qualify because I have Essential Tremor in my medical records, 2- you must have private insurance or Medicaid which will pay for the cost of the treatment and surgery, and 3-you pay all costs getting to and from Atlanta as well as all your housing and other expenses while there.
To add to the list of downfalls, there is a 10 year follow up period after you have the surgery which requires you to travel back to Emory for regular check ups and other appointments for a period of 10 years.

My qualm was THIS IS A DAMN STUDY! WHY ARE HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL PARTICIPANTS PAYING FOR EMORY TO END UP WITH ALL THE GLORY IF THIS IS SOME DAY USED AS A TREATMENT??

Are they serious. I say NO ONE SHOULD BOTHER PAYING TO BE IN A STUDY_EVER!!

If they want to experiment on us, they get plenty of Federal funding for it, WHY MAKE A PATIENT PAY??

And to top it off, name me one insurance company that will pay for experimental brain surgery for a condition classified as "Mental Health Treatment"??

I've worked in the health insurance industry for 10 years, I've NEVER seen a plan or tax free health fund that would ever cover experimental treatments. I hardly ever even saw mental health/substance abuse as a covered benefit until the last couple years and it's minimal at best.

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Just wondering if you were able to arrange treatment. I'm curious to know how it went.

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