Ketamine for anxiety?

[designguy]

Hello, has anyone recently tried Ketamine for their anxiety? If so how did it go and was it hard to get access for it?

[Gambit62]

I thought about it when some research came out on its affects in relation to some psychiatric disorders but decided against it because it is so high on the addictive spectrum - so replacing one problem with another was the most likely outcome. In most places ketamine is a highly controlled substance because of its addictive nature so imagine it would be extremely hard to come by through legitimate means

[designguy in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for the info, from what I have read, it is not addictive when used in clinical infusion applications and here in the States it is legal.

[LifeIsThePitts]

I know this is a couple years old, but I recently posted a big ol explanation a couple days ago about my experience with Ketamine infusions and TMS from 2/14/2022-4/13/2022 if you're still interested in hearing about them.

Its an anesthetic and has an intense dissociative quality and increases neuroplasticity in the brain in low dose infusions. My experience was good but not effective for the depths of the depression I was getting treatment for at the time. If my symptoms hadn't been at SUCH a severe level, I'm relatively certain my results would have been better.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Thank you for posting. I did try ketamine and did four infusions and it didn't help me nor was it a pleasant experience. The only value I could see from it was that it could aid someone in getting in touch with their spiritual side and realizing how everything is connected in life but I didn't need ketamine in order to do that. My guess is that my dose was too high of an amount. It was also very physically and emotionally draining and it was very expensive. What has helped me was determining that most of my anxiety stemmed from growing up in an emotionally abusive household and being shamed and punished for expressing anger and trying to stand up for myself and also from being bullied in school. I found a therapist that specialized in treating trauma/c-ptsd. They used emdr therapy as part of the treatment and it was very helpful in my healing. The other helpful thing was finding a med that really worked for me by doing the Genesite psychopharmacological test that used my dna to help determine which meds were best suited for me. I showed that none of the meds I had tried before were right for me, I started on one it recommended (Pristiq) and it has worked for me.

Glad you had a good experience and wish it had been more effective for you.

[Toddzen]

I have been getting Ketamine IV infusions for 12 months for Anxiety and Depression. It has saved my life. Unfortunately the positive effects of Ketamine wear off and my symptoms come back. I have spent over $5000.so far.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to Toddzen]

I've spent $7700 since Feb 14 this year!! I did 2 Ketamine infusions and stopped with side effects of lethargy and extreme exhaustion and started a full TMS series of 36 sessions that ended April 13. Then I relapsed in Aug and did 11 more TMS sessions over 3 wks in September which has put me back in remission, for now. Its an outrageous amount of money, but it's the only treatment that has ever helped me. So what choice do I have?

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Wow, sorry to hear you're still struggling and neither has lasted for you.

Have you tried psychopharmacological testing yet? It uses your dna to help determine which meds could be better suited for you genetically. My test was from Genesight and paid for by my insurance thankfully. The interesting thing is that it showed that none of the half-dozen different meds I had tried were right for me so I started on one it recommended (Pristiq) which was a different type of med than the others and it has worked well for me. Another thing that helped for me was learning how to constructively deal with anxiety by understanding it and accepting the anxious thoughts and feelings, that in essence, the solution is through it instead of fighting it or denying it. I've also found the same is true about depression, especially when I read that some believe depression is caused by or contributed to by repressed anger. I know a lot of my anxiety was from my repressed anger so I started working on releasing it. I also found and did ACT Therapy which is about investigating our difficult emotions, being curious and welcoming then and then processing them it was very helpful.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Even though TMS needed some maintenance therapy, I'm back in remission now and that has never happened for me in the past. TMS is the only successful option I've ever had where I've experienced full remission from my symptoms for any length of time.I Have not done gene testing. I struggle with taking meds on a bunch of levels. I have no gallbladder and my diet has been altered significantly to reduce digestive distress. Meds and I are contentious adversaries.

I am an All-in follower of the anxiety guy Dennis Simsek. Most of my progress is directly 🔗 linked to his teachings. I'm in ongoing therapy twice a month for the last 5+ yrs. But have made Great strides in my improvement this year due to success with TMS treatment for TRD and anxiety. I use the meditation app Insight Timer...it's the best free option imo. I follow Buddhist principles and disagree with organized religion on every level. Im self taught on all my disorders and vow to learn how to live a life of quality instead of hiding from my issues one more day. 48 years old and just starting to grow up...pfft, it's about time😤My Responsibility, My Life 👍

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Sorry to hear the TMS didn't last, is it something you can do multiple times to increase the benefit of it and maybe make it last longer? In hindsight for myself I would have probably been better off trying it instead of the Ketamine but I'n just grateful now that things are working well for me. The whole digestive issue is obviously important, since our gut has such an impact on our mood.mental health. I had even tried the natural supplement for anxiety/depression but it didn't move the needle and decided to do the meds.

I'm glad you have found Dennis helpful, i've watched a lot of his stuff also. I also have found the DARE book very helpful and both he and Dennis are pretty much aligned and borrow heavily from Dr. Claire Weekes who pioneered the idea of floating through and accepting panic/anxiety.

I too ascribe to Buddhist teaching and the oneness of all life forms and i've rejected all organized religion and am concerned about the rise of the religious right in the US right now. I was raised in an evangelical household with lots of shaming, physical and verbal abuse and punished and shamed for normal emotions like anger and being proud of myself and trying to stand up for myself. The best thing I did was reject all of it and start the process of thinking for myself and getting out of the narrow, fear-based belief system I had been subjected to. I read somewhere a number of years ago that the majority of people in therapy grew up in some form of a fundamentalist environment and it made sense to me.

It sounds like you are doing a lot of good things for yourself and your growth and healing and have realized that it's really up to each of us to heal ourselves. A good therapist can help guide us and provide the right tools and awareness but we have to be willing to do the work and change and keep seeking if their help doesn't work. Also, continuing to educate ourselves to better understand ourself and thereby others will only benefit us and aid in our healing process.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

TMS has proven just as effective for me when I relapsed as it was at the culmination of the original series. The main benefit being that it took less than a 1/3 of the sessions to reach remission the second time with 11 sessions in 3 wks vs 36 sessions in 8 wks.My main fear was that it wouldn't last and that it wouldn't remain effective in later applications. I did relapse after about 6 months, but this episode was triggered by undiagnosed health implications in my hip and chronic unmitigated pain with prolonged sleep deprivation. So I'm actually happy with the overall results and am thankful I have a treatment to administer as soon as I feel like I'm sliding.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

I'm glad the TMS worked again, I thought I had read that it could be repeated and still be effective. And yes it is comforting to know when something works for us and we do have a backup.

The med lady I use is a functional medicine practitioner and takes a holistic approach which I believe in and has helped me with supplements to help lower my cortisol and improve my sleep and increase the efficacy of my meds. A functional medicine practitioner might be helpful for you if you are not already working with one.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Thanks for the info. Didn't know what a functional med practitioner was! I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. It so cool to connect with like minded and motivated individuals that can sympathize AND empathize with each others' journeys.

I've turned to Two schools of thought...let food be thy medicine and Love/compassion is the key 🗝️...You are what you eat 🍎🥑🫐🥬🧅🍋🫑🍓🍇🥦🥭🍌and a full heart never loses❣️

Happiness comes from within because materialistic gains will never equate to inner 🕊️ peace. See you soon 🤗

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

You're absolutely right, it's taken me years to realize that life is and inside job and not an outside one. And besides, engaging in life with an open heart just feels better to me.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

An open heart ❤️ should be how we're ALL SUPPOSED TO LIVE! Imagine if material gains were eradicated ...then there would only be the intangible gifts of life to strive for. The meaningful emotions and relationships that cannot be bought, the goodness that would propel humanity forward is unfathomable. But, alas, we live in a stunted society focused on all the wrong things in life that only produce emptiness and greed.I honestly believe I wouldn't mind moving to a Buddhist colony and live in robes and a shaved head for the rest of my life. At least id be surrounded by peaceful entities and unburdened by the financial ties of the rat race in the US.

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Yes it is how we all are supposed to live and what all of the great teachers were trying to convey to us which is unconditional love for ourselves and others. It really could change the world if more people got it and realized they don't need to live in fear. Maybe it's too simple of an idea for them to accept and it requires learning to think for yourself. Unfortunately fear is now an epidemic in the world and especially in the US. I'm just grateful I know better and don't have to buy into it any more.

I'm already bald so I wouldn't mind shaving my head - lol!

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

I wanted to add that i'm practicing living more with an open heart for my sake and thereby for others because it feels better and I enjoy it. It's a great way to feel more connected to others and life itself.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

Yes yes yes! I'm behind the learning curve in this evolution, but I'm picking up the pace FAST... time goes by so quickly as we age. It's a wicked phenomenon. I feel my time is limited and I m not gonna end my life in this meat suit a miserable and broken angry soul. It is VERY challenging to change course on your lifelong conditioning, though. It's like re-learning to ride a bike 🚲...I keep falling off, but each time I get back on, it's a little easier to peddle a tad further. That's what I'm focused on now. Baby steps and opening my heart to new experiences instead of running from life like my hair is on 🔥 fire. Hence, the appeal of a bald head🤣😂

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

I agree, it's amazing how fast time goes by. The trash pickup in our neighborhood is Friday am so I take the trash can out to the curb Thursday afternoon and I was just joking with my wife that it seems like i'm doing it every other day now.

It is challenging to change courses because of our conditioning and a big part of it is really being willing and honest to investigate that conditioning because a lot of it is what we have used to protect our vulnerable self a lot of times. Once we are aware of it and have some clarity then we have the choice and the power to change.

Love the image of running from life with your hair on fire - LOL!

Saw a good statement today: Loving yourself is a journey not a destination and the work of a lifetime.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

HA! My hubby and I were just wondering how it's Nov!?! Seriously...I blinked and the year ended🤷 the weeks are flying by in a way I've never felt before. It's terrifying and exhilarating. a year ago I was in the midst of a long drawn out fog of ongoing depression (decades) and anxiety that was rendering me useless. I hit the end of my will to live in January. I started TMS from Feb-april 13th and April 15 th I had my 7th surgery in 5 1/2 yrs, Since then, and joining HU 3/31 in a TRD research group, all my psychological progress has happened in this timeframe. I have been unable to accomplish anything meaningful in 5+ yrs of therapy until now. I'm really new to all this change and am trying to be a sponge with the people I've met here. I have made radical changes to my life already and am dedicated to meaningful introspection and change from within.

Here goes...I've come from childhood trauma, sexual abuse, addiction, obesity, borderline eating disorder, ADHD, TRD, GAD, panic attacks, PTSD, 4 spine surgeries, both shoulder rotator cuffs, and gallbladder removed, torn labrum in hip...this is my laundry list of justifications and crutches I've used until now as my excuses for why I don't need to be accountable to myself. That's why I'm on this mission to rid myself of the anger and resentment toward myself that the inner critic has duped me into believing all my life. Dennis Simseks Inner child work is what started it all for me in June.

Thanks for your knowledge. Please, I'm new to a lot of this and any other insights or guidance is always welcome 😁

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Wow, you have been through hell and back and survived and the good thing is that you are waking up to the fact that you don't have to continue to be a victim and that you are way stronger than you have believed and given yourself credit for.

I think it is really important to realize and accept that none of what happened to you in the past and even the way you dealt with it was your fault. It started when you were too young to be able to do anything about it and didn't have any context to know better and you dealt with it the way you did to protect yourself and survive. It was your perpetrators fault and their pain and shame that they were inflicting on you and not yours. A big part of our healing starts with forgiving ourselves and learning to no longer be angry at ourselves but instead direct the anger where it belongs, at our perpetrators. I was punished and shamed for my anger and in denial about it but started working on it in therapy by focusing on who or what I was angry and beating the crap out of a pillow and releasing it. I started doing the same thing at home and even got a plastic baseball bat and used it. I also got a sledge hammer and did the same thing outside beating the crap out of rocks. It felt great to vent and release the anger and over time it drained out of me. You may have already worked through your anger but it may still come up for you further on your journey. I also found getting in touch with it and just writing it out on paper and venting it, not worrying about what it looked like, spelling, etc... was also good for releasing it. I read a few years ago that some believe that depression is actually caused or contributed to by repressed anger which made sense in my case, so I started doing the processing more.

My last therapist did a form of inner child work where I mentally think of the different parts of me; my young self, my mother the critic, my perfectionist, my teen self, adult self, etc... around a conference table and then I can deal with that part of me that is activated at the time and then put my adult self back in charge. I've also done a lot of inner child work in previous therapy and found it helpful. There is a from of therapy called IFS (inner family systems) which I haven't done but I understand is very good and I think it expands on inner child work.

If I think of more helpful things I will let you know and feel free to let me know any questions and also how you are doing. As one of my favorite therapists said, "Ir's never too late to have a happy childhood".

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

It's not been an easy row to hoe, fo sho!! But it's worth the blood 💦 sweat and 😭 tears. You can't close Pandora's box once it's open. I'm definitely on a path now that is kinda outta my control. I've set myself in motion and going backwards isn't an option anymore. Seeing what is possible and understanding that it's not a pipe dream or unattainable has Opened up my reality for big and beautiful experiences in the future that I can't/won't deny. I am excited to push my limits and limitations to see just how far I can run with this new found freedom. It's exhilarating and terrifying and limitless.I will continue to post and reach out to you for advice and guidance. Learning from those that have gone before you is a gift. Thanks for being my new shiny gift today.❤️

[designguy in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

You're welcome, love being shiny!

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to designguy]

SHINY🤩✨💫⭐🪄 still gotta get me that sledge hammer 😁⚒️ 🪨

[designguy]

Thanks for posting, sorry it hasn't lasted for you and yes I know it is very expensive and isn't covered by insurance. Here is my recent reply to LifeIsThe Pitts to their response about ketamine:

Thank you for posting. I did try ketamine and did four infusions and it didn't help me nor was it a pleasant experience. The only value I could see from it was that it could aid someone in getting in touch with their spiritual side and realizing how everything is connected in life but I didn't need ketamine in order to do that. My guess is that my dose was too high of an amount. It was also very physically and emotionally draining and it was very expensive. What has helped me was determining that most of my anxiety stemmed from growing up in an emotionally abusive household and being shamed and punished for expressing anger and trying to stand up for myself and also from being bullied in school. I found a therapist that specialized in treating trauma/c-ptsd. They used emdr therapy as part of the treatment and it was very helpful in my healing. The other helpful thing was finding a med that really worked for me by doing the Genesite psychopharmacological test that used my dna to help determine which meds were best suited for me. I showed that none of the meds I had tried before were right for me, I started on one it recommended (Pristiq) and it has worked for me.

Glad you had a good experience and wish it had been more effective for you.