Alaina,

I am so pleased to read that you noticed improvements this week . You might still notice effects in the coming week as well.

Having received ketamine infusions for over a year myself now, I too think it sounds like it helped. The fact that your foot looks and feels ANY better is a sign of progress. I would add that you have likely been doing more this week too and yet you still feel there's been improvement. Just think what getting to the clinic every day, the stress of the new situation and physical taxation of treatment throws at you. To do all that and still feel better seems like a positive sign.

My doctor was insistent that I would not notice earth-shattering changes when we started. His expectations and definition of success at the beginning was simply to be sure I tolerated treatment. The initial infusions are below therapeutic levels. Then it takes time at a therapeutic dose for the cumulative effects to kick in. We continued for a few boosters and THEN decided if they were helping. It's that whole ball of yarn thing.... At first I wasn't sure infusions made a huge difference. For a while I still had pain even during them. But I can say for certain that they started helping little by little until now some areas of pain are pretty much gone. (though the original "Hell Spot" of my neuroma stump does still bug me, but much, much less)

I say advocate for yourself if you want to continue. If you've heard from another doctor that effects are cumulative, cite that person for support. Doctors have different ranges of experience. Mine has given ketamine to enough people over time to have a decent library of case studies in his head. He was comfortable pursuing treatment for a few weeks before judging the outcome. And the fact is, if you feel your pain has dropped some during this first foray, that seems encouraging indeed!

Keep up the good work on all your adjunct therapies. Just don't overdo it! I tend to overdo after an infusion because I feel I can push it, then there is a bit of payback from that. I love that you are talking nicely to your leg. I did that for a long time and it helped me change my attitude which had become rather negative. Being kind to myself and my limb made me more loving in general and that's always a good thing.

Sending continued healing thoughts and many hugs,