[cindi1965]

I am terrified of Ketamine....I have watch to many of my MR/DD residents come out of it and have problems afterwards....does it help with the burning? I may have to talk about this with my doctor...is it expensive without insurance?
Thanks,
Cindi

[hannah1234]

YESSS!!!! It took all of my burning pain away....and gave me my life back But... (it seems like there is always a but), for me I have to get boosters every 2 months. And I still have ALOT of muscle pain, and still have rsd, tiredness, and exhaustion and i still need sleep medicine. It helped me SOOOO much.

I had my wisdom teeth out and its been a (bad word) ever since then to say the least. Its been a month and a half and I am still under the weather.

So if it wasnt for the teeth, I would be walking around like a normal person from the time I get up until about 3 oclock in the afternoon is when I drop. I was back going to the gym!!! It was amazing.... These are infusions you are speaking about right??? They are 2000 dollars a day, and my insurance I still have to bill them to see if they will cover it. Even if they cover 500 bucks thats ROCK!!! If you have any other specific questions feel free to ask

[Kakimbo]

hannah...

I just startet Ketamine. One epidural infusion with Lidocaine. New PM gave me a syringe (no needle) to take home and take 0.5cc by mouth at night. Every night. I am curious about cindi's comment about problems afterward.

I have not started the oral doseage yet. It scares me! I don't want to have hallucinations (sp?) or other weird side-effect. My doc said it is just like PCP. SCARY!

I was wondering what kind of side-effects you have experienced, if any. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Kim

[hannah1234]

I have never had an epidural with it.... I get 4 -5 hour infusions depending on the amt of ketamine he decides. About the oral spray ketamine... Thats innteresting. I have never heard of that. I know our bodies build a resistance to ketamine easily and quickly. I have never had any side effects-- except sleep!! yipppe!!! During my infusions I had clonadine, versed to sleep, and a few othere I can't remember to reverse the side effects.

If you are getting hallucinations or side effects take clonadine. Its for that. I have taken oral pills in the midst of 3 day infusions last year, but I had my meds that took the side effects away.

For any one looking for this or ketamine cream... its a COMPOUND PHARMACY, you are looking for. they mix the creams, and do the differend medss!

[hannah1234]

Kim,

Yes, it is like pcp. But if you think about it, look at the vicodin, percocet all that medication. The advantage to ketamine is that it doesnt lower your blood pressure at all. here is a link to a video about ketamine infusions that i think will answer alot of your questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0dUljLmCug

If you can get infusions with a knowledgeable doctor there is nothing to be afraid of. They give clonadine to stop that. And also for a few days after my infusion i take klonopin or clonazepam and that helps with any side effects after that possibly can happen.

I look at it this way... who cares if we have bad side effects for one day. How many days have we taken medication that made us feel like poop that did NOTHING? here is an opportunity for a medication that does wonders in our world scoop up the chance while you can. tell ur doc u want the meds that we have with our ketamine to knock the side effects and you are good to go

my dear love ketamine

[msdrea83]

i'll get ativan during my infusions, and afterwards for 2 weeks i take k pills twice a day (40mg in the am and then at night) at night i also take seroquel and maybe a valium

[kathy d]

Dear Hannah and All,
Funny thing is...I took Clonidine to see if it would help me with pain and I had hallucinations on it and saw real scary ugly faces until I stopped it. I only took the lowest dose of 0.1 mg of it and had that reaction so don't let anything stop you from trying it (Dr. S. gives 0.1 mg of Clonidine with Ketamine so you DON'T have hallucinations so I thought it strange that I had them from the medicine). If it doesn't work then stop it immediately or if you see any strange things happening that are new then call the doc and see what he/she says to do. People react to things differently even though we all have RSD so take the change and who knows it could be the cure for you!! Hang in there.
kathy d

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by kathy d

Dear Hannah and All,
Funny thing is...I took Clonidine to see if it would help me with pain and I had hallucinations on it and saw real scary ugly faces until I stopped it. I only took the lowest dose of 0.1 mg of it and had that reaction so don't let anything stop you from trying it (Dr. S. gives 0.1 mg of Clonidine with Ketamine so you DON'T have hallucinations so I thought it strange that I had them from the medicine). If it doesn't work then stop it immediately or if you see any strange things happening that are new then call the doc and see what he/she says to do. People react to things differently even though we all have RSD so take the change and who knows it could be the cure for you!! Hang in there.
kathy d

Mark this one down..for the first time ever///Keep smilin is speechless...but enjoying reading all of yur posts...Ketamine..yaa hoo!! We should sprinkle it on our cereal each morning...One notable take home message is we certainly do respond differently to every drug out there... Bless you my friends..I send you all hugz!

Kathy

[SandyRI]

Dear Cindi:

I've had 20 infusions - my protocol was every day for 10 days, then 2 days a week for a month, then I skipped a week and did 2 days the following week. I titrated up to 150 mg a day.

I've never had a problem "coming out of it." There are meds that are given to me in addition to the ketamine in my infusions, the same as Hannah - clonodine, versed, and others that mitigate any hallucinations or other such impacts on your pyche.

Like Hannah, I've noticed that my energy levels are not what they used to be. It's been a month since my last 2 infusions, and I'm not nearly as tired and listless as I was just after the infusions, but I'm still not back to "my old self," which is desperately where I wanted to be. My pain is better than it was - not perfect - but much better. I just have a tremendous amount of stiffness in my shoulder and neck, which leads to some residual neck and head pain in the evening. Most importantly, I haven't gotten any hideous migraines like before (yet!!).

I would highly recommend at least attempting ketamine if you can access it. I was able to get United Healthcare to approve it (after several denials - I had to appeal), but later RI WC Court ruled in my favor and my infusions are now covered by them. It has made a big difference for me and so many others. In my opinion, with an experienced doctor, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Good luck, XOXOX Sandy

Originally Posted by cindi1965

I am terrified of Ketamine....I have watch to many of my MR/DD residents come out of it and have problems afterwards....does it help with the burning? I may have to talk about this with my doctor...is it expensive without insurance?
Thanks,
Cindi

[msdrea83]

before i started getting the 4 hours infusions a year a half ago (I've had 4 now, anywhere b/t 1000mg and 2000mg) i took ketamine regularly as my pain med. i started at 20mg/cc taking 2cc's every 2 hours, then bumped up to 3cc's after about 2 weeks. then once i began the infusions and they'd start to wear off (i'm up to 6 months completely pain free and off all meds after them) my pm bumped it up to 50mg/cc still at 2-3 cc's every 2 hours as needed. the first 15 min is usually only when i felt the real side affects... and that was just till i got used to it. its the only drug my body hasn't fully gotten used to and has continued to help my pain with only the one increase in dosage after 3 years.
lol i heart my special k