Depression Breakthrough: Preview the Ketamine Infusion Experience

Depression Breakthrough: Preview the Ketamine Infusion Experience

Like other people considering Ketamine infusions for relentless depression, you may wonder what to expect during and after treatments. This safe, non-invasive, alternative depression remedy includes three distinct phases: the initial IV procedure, sensations you feel during Ketamine Therapy, and subsequent relief.

The November 3, 2015, episode of “The Doctors” TV show on treatment-resistant depression (TRD) featured Board-Certified Anesthesiologist Dr. Steven Mandel, Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles founding president, and one of his patients. Watch Julie, a long-term sufferer, undergo infusion and share her outcome. The Ketamine Advocacy Network’s preview of each stage below is similar to the protocol of Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, and will help you prepare for your first session.

IV Process

If your anxiety is high, engaging in pre-appointment relaxation practices may be beneficial. Your doctor will review your medical records before your consultation.

Following a physical exam and condition assessment, he’ll determine your treatment protocol. That involves selecting your Ketamine infusion dose, rate, and length. Your age, sex, weight, current medications, and tolerance to medications can dictate your initial dose, but your response may guide adjustments for future sessions. Typical durations run 50-55 minutes.

The infusion will take place in a private, comfortable room where you will be continuously monitored by the physician, nurses and hospital grade equipment (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse and electrocardiogram) for the course of the treatment.

At Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, Dr. Mandel personally starts your IV and administers an individually tailored dose of ketamine at a specified rate. The doctor will control the rate and observe your response carefully throughout your infusion. If he recognizes signs that your rate of infusion is too fast or slow, he’ll adjust it to optimize your chances of relief.

Infusion Sensations

Dimming the lights and maintaining silence while you listen to peaceful, calming instrumental music can encourage restfulness. Ketamine reaches your brain in seconds, so its effects come on quickly. Although conscious, you’ll be very relaxed and uninterested in conversing or moving around.

Confining a fully engaged mind in an overly relaxed body might feel strange. Dissociative effect may occur with partial loss of physical awareness. Most people describe their experience as pleasant and serene, but if dissociation is at all bothersome, Dr. Mandel can lower the dose, provide additional adjuvants (relaxing medicine) or, stop the infusion altogether. Delivering Ketamine to its intended destination properly is vital for subsequent brain changes to ease or banish depression symptoms.

In a relaxed state, you may have heightened sensitivity to colors and sounds.  Your mind might reflect on past or current anxieties in a surprisingly calm and practical way. This rare perspective on oneself is very satisfying for most people.

Once the infusion is complete, the effects of ketamine wear off very quickly and patients tend to be much like themselves, aside from fatigue, within 15 to 20 minutes of the completion of their infusion.

While you may feel much like yourself shortly after an infusion, it is important that you take it easy for the remainder of the day.  Dr. Mandel and his staff advise that you do not go back to work or school, operate any heavy machinery, or engage in any other high-stress activity the day of your infusion.  His staff will explain any such conditions prior to treatment so you can bring a driver or accountable companion.

Post-Treatment Relief

Progress may be subtle, gradual, or intermittent over several days. Your suffering could subside after repeat sessions. The Ketamine Advocacy Network noted outcomes among extreme TRD patients who could not function normally on standard medications and therapies. Some enjoyed quick reprieves in mere hours. Others felt better after a few days. Second, third, or fourth infusions brought total to partial relief. For severe and suicidal cases struggling to endure brutal agony, any improvement was life changing.

Many in that group thought their incomprehensible results were impossible before discovering ketamine infusions. Examples included breaking free from negative thought or behavior cycles and staying productive throughout the day. Ketamine infusions also made handling numerous everyday activities possible and managing challenges easier.

Instead of treatment that boosts your mood, ketamine can promote wellness at your core to empower better functioning. Without heavy depression symptoms, you will be able to accomplish formerly unattainable or terrifying tasks, which could give your spirits the lift you deserve.

For more information about treatments for depression, bipolar, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and other conditions contact us at the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California (Orange County) by clicking here or calling  310-270-0625.