That stinks Sandy,,,,I hope you can get things settled before the pain comes creeping back

Hi, Mike -- are you doing the ketamine infusion through the USC Pain Center? I'm newly diagnosed with RSD and literally just starting to research the ketamine infusion treatments, there is nothing where I live currently, but I used in live in L.A. [and went to grad school at USC] so would consider that center. Did you get a consult with Linda Rever, or how did you go about it? Any info would be appreciated. thanks!
T.

T -

I understand that the ketamine program at USC is just getting off the ground. I have been a patient of Steven Richeimer, MD, the Director of the USC Pain Center and Chief of Pain Medicine at USC, since 2003, in one capacity or another: first as a consultant and w/in the last 3 years as my primary.

When I last saw him in August, he told me that I was not going to be his first patient - he didn't know who was - because with my histrory of glaucoma and the apparent need to have my pressures monitored during the procedure which he is setting up through another department - he didn't want to take the chance that their first case could be scrubbed by Ophthalmology well before the series of infusions had ended.

As it is, my glaucoma specialist has referred me to an ophthalmologist at USC, whom I will see in a week or two, both to to determine if I need additional meds for my glaucoma and whether he will oversee the monitoring of my pressures during the infusions by a resident of clinical fellow. But if he does not believe that I should be receiving ketamine under any circumstances, then it's the same result as I had via email with the doctors in Saarbrücken, Germany on Aug. 13, 2004, when I was told - with tickets for travel in 9 or 10 days already in hand - that even well controlled open angle-glaucoma operated to per se disqualify me from participating in their ketamine coma trials.
Hopefully, that won't happen here. And so far, the early indications are looking good, at least on the issue of per se disqualification.

And while there are other doctors in LA administering ketamine, I would trust Dr. Richeimer with my life. That, and USC takes most insurance, whereas the other guys who are into this are essentially (if not exclusively) on a cash basis.

So I'll see what happens. Thanks for asking.

Mike

Sandy,

Are you being given the antipsychotics during and at the end of the infusions? I wonder if maybe a benzo to take the first couple of nights after the infusion might help if you PM would do it?

Dawn

Mike - I think it is so incredibly cool that this is finally happening for you. I truly wish you the very best. Please keep us all updated....

love and peace....Sandy

Thanks for the suggestion...never thought of that!!

xoxox Sandy

Mike, I just wanted to thank you for one of the first serious smiles I've had since this nightmare started. Your reference to what you did 30 years ago made me giggle, because I personally related to those experiences. I'm seriously considering the ketamine at this point because the spinal injections are not working and they want to take away my pain meds. This sounds more promising, and less invasive, than the implant they want to put in my spine, a sort of tens unit. Not really to excited about that one - so thanks everyone for the information!

Pix

Hi Sandy -

I'm new, so I'm sorry to butt into your conversation. Doesn't your doctor prescribe Ativan before you do your infusion? It's standard practice by ours, so I just wondered.

My 12-year-old does the ketamine outpatient infusions 4 days a week (for 4 hours) and has done the hospital inpatient infusions 5 times now. They have been successful each time for her. She was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS on 3/23/14 and it's been a nightmare for us. She also takes ketamine orally twice a day in the form of a lozenge that was specially compounded for her at one of the pharmacies here. Perhaps that's something that the doctor could think of for you as well? Oh - we are in San Antonio, TX.

I hope this helps you!!! :grouphug

Catherine

PS I'm so excited to see someplace that actually has other people doing the ketamine treatments! But no one's mentioned doing the oral ketamine?

Hi Cat,
Welcome to the forum.
I know that there are some folks in here but I never talk about other people.
If you start a new thread about it I'm sure someone will jump in...

Sandy,

I am just learning about the Ketamine - I thought it was a one time shot? It sounds like you have to go for repeat treatments?

I am so sorry to hear you are having trouble with WC - I know that sorrow all too well.

Pix