Hi!!
I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for most of my life. I have continuously been on medication for 23 years. I was hospitalized this past summer after suffering with akathisia from a medication interaction. I’ve stopped taking several meds but continue to take 6 mental health meds daily. My current provider wants to add more!! I have been researching ketamine therapy for about a year. I’m interested to hear if anybody has experience good or bad. Thanks in advance.
I quit all meds because of side effects. I have a much clearer mind and healthier body because of it.
The ketamine treatment has the goal of being completely med free after a year of monthly treatments. Med free is my ultimate goal.
That's good. Whatever works for you. My meds were absolutely poison and would have killed me at an early age.
I know I am late with this reply. My wife said I have got worse since being on medication ( Mirtazapine) and slowly trying to get off it. Get cramps and always cold in warm environments and either down or totally lost and change my mind all the time about decisions
Be careful coming off.
Some guy wrote a post recently saying he been cold turkey for a week coming off 45mg mirtazapine which he said he had been on for 3 years and he said withdrawals were not so bad! I find this difficult to believe
Everyone responds to medications differently. From my past experiences I know I very sensitive to medication changes. I’ve never been on mirtazipine but have tapered of several other antidepressants then started on a different one. Each time tapering has been a different experience but it definitely is not easy for me. If your symptoms are too severe, talk with you doctor about tapering even slower. That’s what I had to do in the past. I wish you all the best.
I came off kinda cold turkey from an antipsychotic and mood stabilizer and had hallucinations, audible hallucinations, extreme anxiety, headaches. Thought I'd go back to the hospital but I knew it was the meds and not my mind.
You done very well to stop them!
Are you improved now you are off them?
Thx. Yes, it's been two years now.
I'm curious about it as well, I'm nervous at the idea of meds and the Ketamine treatment doesn't seem to come with the horrid side effects of most anti-depressants. The only downside is that it's very expensive.
It is very expensive but in my area the office offers payment plans. I realize there is not a magic pill to cure my depression. I hope the treatments will make it easier to get healthier in all aspects of my life. I’m scheduled to start the beginning treatment in about 2 weeks.
Best of luck to you, I really hope that you find some relief.
I almost did it. Backed out due to my anxiety lol. Isnt that ironic
I did the same. The thought of an iv of a formerly hallucinogenic drug - not FDA approved -freaked me out & not covered in USA by insurance.
This is an FDA approved drug used frequently during anesthesia and on the battlefield to treat wounded soldiers before they get to a medic. In fact US military used to carry it around with them so their buddy could provide some comfort measures. It did not become a party drug until much later. You’re right about it not being covered by insurance when given IV for depression but a nasal form has been approved for depression by the FDA and is covered by some insurance. Just wanted to share.
Thx very much for the info. My fear is that in the US, there are now privately owned Ketamine IV depression clinics popping up in rich neighborhoods.
US drs set up clinics &’are marketing this treatment for depression - very engaging advertising; big profits. Business plan seems similar to the T/Testosterone clinics that popped up in the US.
Since the IV version is not FDA approved; I wonder why not? My therapist, not MD, offered to write me a referral. This opens the door to kickbacks, too.
The US for profit drug situation is unsettling, to say the least. Thx again for your help.
I understand completely your reservations. I have similar fears myself. I work in healthcare and see first hand how this dysfunctional system works.
Thx- if you are a nurse- it must be very difficult to remain positive in these times.
I often feel the dr just gives me a script to get rid of me & does not involve me in RA treatment plan at all. He does not want to be bothered with comorbid depression.
I was told about this treatment. But they is not enough information about it yet, so I will not try it. I have done TMS, but it only worked for two months. Hope we both find something soon, it’s been 14 years for me, from abuse❤️
A few people have posted that acupuncture was effective in treating their anxiety/depression.....it may be a less expensive alternative than the ketamine treatment....just a thought...
I’m actually getting my 1st Ketamine infusion this week! I’ll post a follow up!
I have treatment resistant depression and was eager to try the infusions. I had 6 treatments which I had to pay for out-of-pocket and they didn’t work for me. He started me on the baseline dose then increased it 3 times. When I was on the highest dose, it was very stressful/intense. You feel out-of-control during the infusions but I was in a very comfortable and safe environment. I’ve read amazing success stories and hoped I’d be one of them. I hope you are one of the success stories!
Did you get your boosters? I was not cured until I got 2 boosters! So please do not give up.
I’m sorry you didn’t have a success story. I know how debilitating depression can be.
The protocol I’m been educated on is 6 treatments within 2 weeks time. So basically every other day. Then a monthly treatment for up to a year or so depending on my response.
I had the treatments twice a week for 3 weeks. Just like everything else, what works for some may not work for others.
I had mine under aesthetic I did two or 3. I got so sick was the worst experience ever. You’re on so many medications what are your kidney functions like ?? The more meds I’ve had pumped into my body the worse I got and antipsychotic just ruined my life. I have constant fatigue now upset stomach mental confusion hard to move shake. If you’re ok then sure give it a try. But I’ll bet you’re adrenal fatigue is what’s the problem from the meds like me. If you read up on the meds they cause that of which you speak of. Clearing your body is good and if you can stick to what you’re on and ad some adrenal support supplements I wonder if you’re better off. I have such severe acid reflux ever since antipsychotic I’m on a load of meds for that now. I feel awful. If you can handle taking more of anything I’d consider adrenal support meds & amino acids to address cortisol levels. My two cents. Look what they did to us with all the meds. I went through this in 2013 I was younger stronger. It was from stress I needed nerve blocks and on morphine for a year messed me up then more drugs for head nerve pain. I took antipsychotic after I started adrenal fatigue then. It took me a year to recover. Then I got sick needing surgery severe stress they missed and same thing I forgot about how awful it was the drug it messes up your metabolic state in your guts. I’m paying for it. Try the ketamine see if it helps if it doesn’t then you know
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