Quote:
Originally Posted by Hotfoot53
Thank you Shay! I agree with doing the least invasive thing first. I'm still doing blocks and they do help me do more PT. My doc is also talking about ketamine but says I can only do day single day outpatient IVs once in a while bc of insurance. Everything I've been reading says it needs to be more- like a week of continuous infusion. If it's okay to ask, what schedule have you tried (optional question to answer though).
The gabapentin works for me but the long acting one was a nightmare. Everyone does need something a bit different I've been seeing.
Thank you for your greeting and your prayers and kind thoughts-
I'm here everyday with a willing ear also.
Hotfoot
I'm praying for everyone everyday with chronic pain
|
I know that some insurance companies can be difficult when it comes to paying for ketamine infusions. I had to file an appeal to finally get them to cover it. My infusions started as a 2 week out patient. (5 days; weekend off; 5 more days.) They gradually increased the amount of ketamine each day. Each infusion lasted about 4 hours. After that there was a set schedule for boosters, but because my liver enzymes were off, I had to wait for 3 months before the next one. I am now on the 2 days every 3 months schedule and my liver enzymes have been good. I can't see how you can get the amount you need in just 1 infusion every once in a while. I sure wouldn't want to receive the full dose that I get now without it being titrated up slowly. It works for me, even though I couldn't follow the initial booster schedule.
Consider getting as much information as you can about it and filing an appeal. Some insurance companies will work with you. Otherwise if you have the finances for it consider private pay and shop around for price. Some places will work with you. Where I go the private pay price is up to $275 per infusion. For me that would be $550 every three months. There is another clinic nearby that charges $1500 per infusion. Big difference is that one is a medical school and the other is a private clinic.
You probably know that it doesn't work for everyone. There are also side effects, but there are also drugs to help counteract some of those side effects. As with every treatment, there is the chance it will help or not and the chance that the side effects will be mild for you or not.
Hope some of this information is helpful. Good Luck!
Shay