Ketamine For Depression? (Page 8) (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.

REPLY

REPORT

I had my first dose of IV Ketamine at a doctor's office. We will not know until after third treatment if it is going to work. My doctor said the big pharma companies are trying to get into this treatment in the form of pills or nasal sprays, but he doesn't think it will work and that IV is the only way. Worth looking into. I'm hopeful that it will help; will post after treatment #3.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Just weighing in here: changing everything in your life does not cure depression, not the kind where Ketamine infusions become the last hope. No one really knows what it is, why it is, and why IV Ketamine can work. If just moving or turning on a light or changing diet would work, wouldn't we all find relief in this? We don't seek Ketamine for any reason accept nothing else has worked. It's super expensive and the IV is scary and not euphoric; on the contrary it's scary and unsettling and takes real perseverance if you're lucky enough to be able to get it. Even now, I don't know if it's going to work as I've only been in for one treatment. I won't know until treatment 3. I think people who think it might be fixed by environmental factors are not experiencing the same thing many of us have, which have lead us to Ketamine IV, which is really the end of the highway.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

NY Ketamine has opened a Ketamine clinic for depression, PTSD and neurogenic pain in PITTSBURGH. Pittsburgh, PA is a 1 hour flight or 6 hour drive from Toronto.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I wouldn't recommend him because first of all he's charging outrageous fees and secondly his name isn't mentioned in any of the famous ketamine research studies. I'd highly recommend Dr. Brooks at NY Ketamine Infusion if you're interested in getting Ketamine as he is a very compassionate and caring doctor. The choice is yours at the end. I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents to help you. I personally had my treatment through him but unfortunately the results only lasted very briefly.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

My pleasure.

I'd be wary of those treatments since I don't know anyone who has tried it and therefore won't pursue it. Maybe someone else in the thread can chime in.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

THANK YOU so much to everyone!

As a nurse of 25 great years.....understanding so many others suffr...gives me hope. Crazy as it may sound!

I would take only a few days a week at this point if it worked:)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

GOSH...I am sorry but cannot remember name-memory issues anyone??? The nice gentlemen that talked of meds did/did not work-just as an aside......statistically the meds (most) seeming to help-NOREPHENDRINE and DOPAMINE -Just let your Doc know and if he agrees...maybe you can get a combo that works well for you! If we can try to work with just these two- we bring it to a "smaller" place of healing.......and in healthcare, usually smaller means better outcome -you know what I mean...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thank you again for response-
Just a few quick questions
Dr. recommended or giving treatments?
How long effects last IV
How done? g. how may visits and doses recommended and I assume they also have a 'maintenance" program?
Just hoping-any info WILL help-I am so much like everyone here-* years-HELP!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Sarah, I live in Cedar Rapids, IA. My nearest major city is Chicago, IL. I don't want to go the Ketamine route as it has messed up my life a lot. I haven't tried scopolamine. I'll look into it though. Thanks and I hope we both feel better soon, God Willing.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi Steve,
How is the book coming? Do you know if a person can be on parnate (mao) medication and have the ketamine treatment? or If having the treatment could possibly make depression worse. I read on line where a psychopharmachologist /psych dr. said you could be on an (mao) But then I have also seen by a site by an er dr. that said you couldn't. I was curious if you have seen anything in your research on that. Sorry not sure why my computer is underlining in red.
My diagnosis is bp and I have been depressed for over a year and a half I thought possibly this treatment could help me ....I saw someone post after a long depression "there is no way to explain the level of suffering" and that is exactly how I feel. . I really hope you are doing good.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

It has been announced that the FDA is fast tracking ketamine......could be FDA approved for treatment resistant depression within 6-12 months.

http:/­/­www.cnn.com/­2016/­08/­17/­health/­ketamine-depression-treatment/­

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Ketamine has helped me tremendously, and esketamine looks very promising without some of the negative side effects. I wish you luck - please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Will do...finally fond a doc willng to try

Many thx for understanding the desperation in Mental ILLNESS

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

GOD BLESS ROB...... understand. I am in the same boat and am desperate to heal-I even had ECT and I had promised to myself to never do b/o cognitive issues....but my depression has been so bad......I did even though probably unlikely to finish PhD

Ritalin has help me some..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Alli.....don't you wish you could explain more easily how it feels

In Canada...right now ketamine can not be used with an MAOI

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

What was your first treatment like? My husband just had his today, he also has TRD and has been through everything. They were wonderful at the clinic and his infusion itself lasted about 45 min. I saw a difference but he says he feels no different and wants to quit. I don't buy it. I am sure it did something. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have to say... Amazing! I am now going to give more details into just how amazing. My husband has been suffering from severe ptsd, and depression for almost 3 years following the death of his son. He was having night terrors and with lack of sleep, began self medicating with alcohol just to knock himself out. But he was functional. He recently, 3 months ago had a major trigger to his prior ptsd that sent him into a spiral that was unrecoverable. 4 recover centers later, 6 medications tried, 1drug reaction that caused a manic episode so severe he doesn't remember half of it, and now has another trauma to deal with on top of the ptsd. Now diagnosed with social anxiety on top of it because he's afraid to be in public. I had a husband that went from socialite to 0 in no time flat. He moved out of the house into a studio apt. He never left it except to go to appts. I brought him groceries and whatever else he needed. We were at the end of our rope, I was loosing him and fast. I found GA Ketamine clinic in Gainesville, GA. As you read, his first treatment was yesterday. He thought it didn't work. He woke up this morning feeling completely different. He could function. He smiled, he laughed, my God I can't remember the last time I saw him do that. We went out to dinner. He saw and played with his kids for the first time in weeks! I don't know what else to say but it works. His next treatment is Monday. GA Ketamine is awesome!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

You can find the info on the Impact study here: impact.camhx.ca/en/home.php

It basically identifies certain meds which you may metabolize more quickly or slowly than average. The research is useful, and finding participants who have a longer history of antidepressants which either did not work, or were only partially effective, is probably very useful for the research.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Joseph,

Dr. Jonathan Downar at Toronto Western does not prescribe it any more, his rTMS clinic is taking up any time he has, and he worked out the parameters for ketamine therapy well enough that he figured the other psychiatrists and physicians could handle it. If you have a psychiatrist or physician who deals with your mental health concerns, you probably should get her/him to contact Dr. Downar's office, as they have three files which include the disclosure/waiver, patient info, and prescriber info. Apex Pharmacy by Eglinton Subway Station has handled compounding for capsules, or a liquid to take orally. If you have a physician who is willing to try ketamine therapy in your case, you are welcome to write me back or have the doctor write me here, as a former patient willing to answer their questions. I also have copies of the protocol files. {edited for privacy}. Toronto Western Hospital also has a mood meds clinic, which can advise your doctor about which medication options/combinations they think are the best next options to try. There are other options to try, and these specialists have experience with people who have tried many different classes of antidepressants, possibly exhausting the experience of psychiatrists with a more diverse practice. Hang in there.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been trying to get into a ketamine research study with no luck.i suffer from Major depression and p.t.s.d. my Dr.tells me she would not sign on for the study.i found a Dr. Whom would accept me although they asked $3.000 upfront as my insurance will not cover it.my Dr.tells me she has had problems with ketamine because it may cause severe psychosis and need to be treated with strong benzodiazopines.i am open to research studies still.i want to live life to it's fullest,feel happy.i am stuck in a very dark feeling.my prozac was increased to it's highest milligram.feels like I am not taking anything.no positive traction.i live in the Hartford,CT.area.my travel ability is limited as my car was stolen.so I must keep trying.i am.it's hard.i am so depressed that years roll out of my eyes spontaneously.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I will go to the states to take ketamine treatment for depression. Ketamine is probably a great pill for depression, as ...

34 REPLIES

## What is Cispin? ## Cispin is a common misspelling for the antidepressant called Zispin SolTab. Active Ingredient: Mir...

3 REPLIES

My friend was prescribed Haldol for depression. My friend suffers from being addicted to Perocets, and because he was go...

1 REPLY

My Son went to the Dr. for anxiety and depression, pristiq created more problems for him, panic attacks, insomnia, loss ...

13 REPLIES

Has anyone started taking Rexulti, if so how is it going so far. I just started 1 mg today and will phase out abilify? #...

8 REPLIES

After being on every imaginable antidepressant over the past twenty-five years and undergoing ect, I have found that Rit...

4 REPLIES

This thread is to discuss Ibogaine as a means to treat Depression and Pain Management, including, but not limited to, an...

34 REPLIES

DOES ANYONE KNOW A MD WHO PRESCRIBES SUBOXONE FOR DEPRESSION IT HELPS ME TREMENDOUSLY ## HAVE YOU FOUND A DOC TAT WILL W...

2 REPLIES

is colozapam for anxiety and depression ? ## The pill in description is Clonazepam; which is a benzodiazepine derivative...

2 REPLIES

anyone with experience using riluzole for treatment resistant depression ## Hello, Pance! How are you? I've not take...

1 REPLY