Ketamine infusion

[Cheryl37]

Anyone had success with iv ketamine infusions for nerve pain in the pelvis?

[Cardinal]

No; I've read about it and it sounds ridiculous. Don't understand how that would be approved but not botox.

[Hidden]

I had a ketamine infusion after both my recent surgeries. It is important if you suffer from chronic pain, to prevent the surgical pain becoming chronic too.  It did help the nerve pain for a short while, but then it retuned.  But no chronic pain from the surgeries though.  I don't think it is done routinely for pain management in the uk, which is a pity if it works, even temporarily.  But I suppose it is a powerful, addictive drug so not to be messed with.

[Hidden]

I knew someone who benefited from 6 week ketamine infusion for severe knee pain, but caused psychiatric complications. She continued oral ketamine with good results, until she got a spinal nerve stimulator. Probably not a useful option for most people?

[macoplin]

I was told that this was a very temporary fix, is not covered by insurance, and would have to be repeated 3 - 4 times a year.

[Laser4pain in reply to macoplin]

We don't do ketamine infusions but that sounds about right

[Laser4pain]

It not actually that addictive, certainly much less than opioid drugs and other illicit drugs such as cocaine and there are good reasons why it helps in chronic pain. That having been said I prefer non-invasive community based treatments for relatively non specific chronic pain