Hi Everyone,

I have been reading on FB about ketamine, it's Called "Ketamine Club/CRPS" or close to that. Anyway I felt I had to post about the fact that there are some doctor[s] who are doing outpatient ketamine 10,5,3 days with very high doses and not requiring any pre-testing. That's the concern. I know my infusions where back between 2005 - 2009 and where inpatient. But things could not have changed that much. I would of never been able to be admitted for my inpatient without proper pre-testing. I did 3 inpatients. My target number was 37mg, but that was pushed up from a low does over 24 hours trying to reach 37mg per hour my late Tuesday or Wednesday. I couldn't get to the 37mg per hour my problem was my stomach just couldn't take the way it made my head feel which made my stomach turn kind of like I was drunk. I thing I made it to 32mg if I remember correctly. I did get success from ketamine eventually.

I'm not a doctor, but what I do know is that I have done it, it's a tough procedure. I did not have any hallunciations or terror or fear like I have read and heard from other people. These high amounts of ketamine on a outpatient basis with no testing at all is just scary. Not even a physc. evaluation. I just remember my doctor taking the pre-testing quite serious and discussed with me at length the pro's and con's of the ketamine.

I'm just throwing this out there out of concern.

Gabbycakes

Gabby you are right, and many of these patients are really young. I had extensive cardio and a psych clearance done prior to my treatments. But my doses are NOWHERE near as high as what yours and these kids are getting.

I also get Versed and Zofran along with my ketamine.

Sandy

Yes, I also got the versed and the zofran. I don't think I would of completed them without the zofran.

Thanks again, hope your feeling well!

Gabbycakes

Great to visit with you... The use of zofran and versed scare me...My tummy is sensitive enough... Is the Ketamine infusion still effective if our RSD is internal???

Hugz, kathy

Hi Kathy,

Wish I had an answer but I really don't know. It's not a normal thing for me for have stomach issues, I usually never have a problem, except with the ketamine I mean it's just bruttle, for me. I have heard some don't have any problems with the nausea. The Versed is suppose to be claim you and help with the mental issues but the zofran is simply for the nausea and it works incredibly.

Gabbycakes

I don't know this for a fact but I don't think Dr K does pre testing. When I called about making the apt for the consult since I was coming a distance the nurse who I spoke to said if I decided to do it I could do it right away. I could be wrong though since I have not went for the consult yet.
Unfortunatly this issue does not surprise me. Some doctors just want you in asap to make the money. Sorry to be negative

Dear Kathy,

Yes, ketamine is absolutely effective For RSD that is internal. When my ketamine starts wearing off, after maybe 3-4 weeks, I have issues... I can totally feel the difference. Then I get an infusion and things return to normal...

I take Zofran orally and it is administered for me during my infusions because I get so sick to my stomach from ketamine. That goes away within a day or so. Versed is administered to minimize any other effects of the ketamine and to help me sleep during and after my infusions. My doctors want me to rest on the days I get my treatments, the Versed is a good way to ensure I go home and take a nap instead of walking my dog or doing yard work! They know me too well!

The money part about pain management with docs is so profoundly painful. I agree with everything you said...it is an extremely profitable venture for a lot of docs, and you never know if what they recommend is really in YOUR best interests or theirs. after being sick for 4 and a half year years I've learned to be skeptical of the entire profession.

For me, ketamine works well. I need it in order to work, otherwise my pain gets to be too much because I get horrific head aches. My head always hurts, but as my ketamine starts wearing off I can't control the pain with any of my usual like Fiorcet or Frova.

Kathy, what's the status with your 5 day inpatient? I thought you might get that done? I truly hope that you give it a shot...keep us posted.

Xoxox Sandy

My insurance said they would pay a part of it, after I pay the first $7500 initially, and the first $600 for each infusion. Since the doctor I go to does it in an in office "ward" in a building that is part of a hospital, they won't pay the room fees, bed fees, doctors or nurses fees, or supply fees. From my part, I don't see much they will actually cover. one series of infusions would take every dollar I have left in savings and probably run up quite a bill on top of it. Now that I am on SSDI, I just would not have a way to pay it off.

On top of that, I know from having many animals over the years and working for a vet for a little bit, ketamine is a serious drug. It scares me. I know my veterinary is not an M.D. but he has been a good friend for 30 years. He has been using ketamine for over 35 years. He says if he were in my place, he would not do it until there is a lot more research, that follow people longer years.

Pain medications have not helped me. Nothing has helped me very much. I would love to be out of pain, but I am afraid of "at what price?" I don't just mean the money. I mean the effects of the ketamine, long term.

I would be very surprised if they would do the ketamine without bloodwork and an EKG. If you are seeing a regular counselor (as many patients are and should) then he might skip that portion of it. My daughter always has to have work done before the infusion and she has had over a dozen at this point.

Dee, how long do your infusions last? I've heard some of Dr. L's patient's can go for 8 mths on just ONE treatment...That's awesome. (sorry guys, didn't mean to hijack the post)...