Ketamine For Depression? (Page 43)

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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Hello, how are you? Any updates that you know of about this? I'm in the Chicago area....I've had very little relief with antidepressants, and I'm looking for something to curb this major depression. Thank you!

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Erik, Jannsen is doing trials on an sketemine nasal spray. When I last read anything on this (a few months ago) they anticipated getting it to market by 2019. Nasal is not as effective as transfusion, but it has proven to be helpful so far.

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Hello Barbie, I was JUST prescribed Rexalti....if you don't mind me asking, what other antidepressants are you taking? I'm on 300 mgs of sertraline as well.
You are happy with the results of Rexalti?
Thanks very much!

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Sounds very interesting...thank you for the information!

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Unfortunately, Joseph, you're misinformed. In Toronto (or Ontario as far as I know), with any licenced physician's prescription, a compounding pharmacy (google "compounding pharmacy" - lots of them, just smaller than your typical Shoppers Drug Mart) will provide you with your doseage. Ketamine is a schedule 1 narcotic so you will be limited to 37 days of prescription use at one time. My work-related benefits plan even pays for my oral ketamine prescriptions. I prefer to get mine in 25mg. capsules so I can titrate within my 200-300mg range, every 2nd night before bed. Doesn't work as well as iv ketamine from my experience (it's also a bother to ensure my stomach is empty to increase bioavailability) but it's a less expensive stop-gap for me.

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Just wondering how this drug will affect long term I have a lot of friends that have twisted heads which don't make sense. Also the tolerance seams to go up very quickly creating a addiction the suffering I see from others and the way iv felt on the drug is one of the most terrible iv seen off any drug

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When receiving Ketamine treatment from a doctor the Ketamine is pure and small doses are used for mental health. I don't know anyone that has become addicted under a doctor's care.

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Hey, JP in Toronto. Thanks for your perspective. It certainly is different from my research. I've been able to find one doctor in Ontario who might do IV treatment. She is in Ottawa, a looong drive from where I live. I did manage to locate a doctor in Toronto who would provide the protocol for oral ket to my doctor, but he was not interested in trying this. Where I live, progressive psychiatrists are in extremely short supply. Unfortunately, because of co-morbidities, high blood pressure, having had ECT, I don't qualify for any of the ketamine studies I've been able to uncover. So, I'm anxiously waiting for Jannsen's nasal sketamine to be approved. That might happen as early as 2019.

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Hey, Lee ash. I haven't done much research on ketamine for the last few months, but the last I heard there had been very few, if any, long term studies on the efficacy of long-term ketamine use, or in the possible complications and risk of addiction, associated with long-term use. One of the reasons ketamine is not routinely used in the treatment of depression is that many doctors are misinformed about the risk of addiction. As far as I know, when ketamine is used to treat depression it is administered in quite low doses. Ketamine is also a "party drug" and when used recreationally, etc, is typically taken in higher doses. This can certainly lead to addiction. A second reason why ketamine is not more widely prescribed for depression is that many doctors don't like the idea that in order to be effective, maintenance treatments are required. This is a rather silly objection because many people who have found ECT effective require maintenance treatments, and most people with depression take antidepressants daily, for years, decades, or the rest of their lives.

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John, I know your post is several years old, but I'm just now running across it. I've read several of your posts and was #1 like to say that I hope you're doing better with the nasal problems and depression, ect you experienced! #2 would love an update on how you are doing now? Did the ketamine work for your depression? Does it truly help with pain as well? Just an update on your experience would be wonderful and greatly appreciated if you have the time:) hope to hear from you soon! God bless and hopefully to hear you're doing well! :)

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Hello I'm trying to find out if I was on high doses of opiates for 15+yrs an now my doctor retired an I'm on a very low dose an my stomach is tore up so i was wondering if Tincture of opium would be an option for me thanks

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There is a doctor who is doing ketamine infusion for depression, anxiety etc in Cedar Rapids now

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I recently completed 6 Ketamine infusions. I live in the Milwaukee area and drove to Arlington Heights, IL to receive them. Let me just say that for over 25 years I have been on basically every antidepressant known to man. A handful of them seemed to work for a bit but then not so much. Most of them had no effect on lessening my depression and the doom and gloom Persisted for years. Last fall I lost my job and fell into a severe depression. Always on the lookout for something to ease my symptoms I decided to try ECT treatments. I did 12 of them. They did absolutely nothing!!! NOTHING. I was beyond frustrated. I had been scowering the Internet for any new antidepressants on the horizon. That's when I came across Ketamine. My doctor told me nobody around here was providing that treatment (Midwest). I continued to check online frequently to see about Ketamine clinics opening in my part of the country. That's when I came across Midwest Ketamine Clinic in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Unfas most of you know, insurance does not cover these treatments. It's all out of pocket. My infusions were $675 each. I had them over the course of two weeks. They tell you that you won't feel better until the 3rd Infusion. I felt some relief after the 1st one. By the 6th one I felt much better. After my 6th Infusion they suggested I make an appointment for a booster infusion 4 to 6 weeks out. So I did. I will continue to report how I am doing since receiving my infusions. I am still on all of my antidepressants. Unfortunately, because I was feeling so much better I took myself off Saphris. My psychiatrist said I could quit cold turkey. Big huge mistake. Even with the ketamine infusions I was still struggling to keep it together. By far the worst withdrawal symptoms I've ever had. Constant flu like feeling. Sweating profusely. I changed my clothes upwards of 8 times a day. Plus I developed the most intense rage. It was awful. Not to mention the fact that I could not sleep they the night. I laid around with ice packs on my head and neck for 9 days before giving in and going back on it. I had been on a dosage of 20mg for almost 3 years. I should have known better! Sorry for going off topic discussing my ordeal trying to quit Saphris. Back to Ketamine, to anyone whose on the fence about whether or not they should try Ketamine, I give it a firm two thumbs up. The clinic I went to told us that after the 3rd Infusion they'd assess my progress. If I was feeling better we'd move forward and complete the last 3 infusions. However, if I felt no change in my mood, they suggested that I forgo the last three infusions and save my money. Lastly the clinic told me that after my 7 th Infusion, the booster infusion, I would be receiving a prescription for a Ketamine nasal spray. The purpose of the spray is to prolong the length of time between booster infusions. I just want to add that I was looking very forward to getting my first infusion. However during the treatment I became very scared. Ketamine puts you in a totally altered state. After the first one I was no longer scared and found them extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Each infusion lasted roughly 50 minutes.

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Blonde Wonder -- can you tell me more about the kemamine nasal spray? Janssen has been working on one for some time and last I heard hoped to have it on the market in 2019. Is yours going to be made by a compounding pharmacist or is it from Janssen or some other drug company? Thanks

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I realize this post is from last July but I just had to comment. Opiates definitely helped ease my depression. No question. As a matter of fact I've talked to my psychiatrist about that many times. There has to be some correlation between the two. Because opiates helped lift my depression I neck addicted to them by self medicating. I wound up getting in trouble with the law. Things just went downhill in a hurry. I am on Suboxone. I have been on it for almost 4 years. Unfortunately I think because I've been on it so long, it's no longer helping my depression. I'd have to say that for me Ketamine is the next best thing. That said, for me, opiates are by far the best fix for my depression. I pray that researchers are looking into why this is so. It's just awful that so many of us have to struggle with debilitating depression day in and day out. I wish everyone luck in their search for freedom from depression.

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You might try a pain clinic. Many psychiatrists don't do ketamine for depression because they don't have the skills. You might look for an anesthesiologist.

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i have found adderall helps stimulate me enough to not be suicidal

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Are there any doctors or list of suboxone doctors that take Medicaid an Medicare for treatment to me it pays to get you hooked on opiates but I can't seem to find help to get off them I'm in Virginia 24526 area an need a doctor bad as they want us off these meds looks like it should be help out hear for us that can't pay cash cause we on disability I'm supposed to be on opiates around the clock but my doctor retired an the new lady doctor says no to writing opiates any help would be great thanks

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Hi - Am I correct in understanding that you have found a Dr in Toronto to prescribe Ketamine? If so, please share his / her contact info!

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London, Ontario:
Dr. Kate Ower
Pain Management Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Outpatient Ketamine Infusions
sjhc.london.on.ca/pain-management
(519) 646-6019

Toronto:
Dr. Pathak
Allevio Clinic
Lidocaine/Ketamine Infusions, Blocks, Injections
allevioclinic.com
(416) 840-5990

Hope this helps!

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