[Inspiretoday]

Hello all! I am so excited that I am nearing my ketamine infusion which starts next week!! My CRPS has spread from both feet to me teeth as well and I have battling staying out of a wheelchair for a few weeks. I am really hoping this works but I'm very nervous. From those of you that have had the inpatient 3-5 day infusión your experince? Music? Movies? Needing someone there? Can u bathe? What foods can you eat? I've also read that people get bored... Does this happen,?
Any insight can be helpful and appreciated. Thank you all for you support on bad days and always giving sound advice! I hope you all are doing well!

[Littlepaw]

eeeek! I am so happy for you! That is great news!

I can't say a darned thing about inpatient infusions as my outpatient ones are no analog. I just wanted to say congrats and my thoughts will be with you for a comfortable and successful treatment. Let us know before you go so we can send healing vibes your way.

[nornirn]

Great news! Do you mind sharing where you are having the treatment and if your insurance company is covering it/which insurance you have? Congratulations and hoping for the best outcome.

[Inspiretoday]

I will be receiving treatment at University Of Virginia Hospital. My insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield- Anthem. The docs made a big deal about it possibly not being approved but when the nurse put it through for approval- they were able to approve it within 3 days. I've also tried most everything except a SCS.

I am very excited! I go in Tuesday

[nornirn]

Originally Posted by Inspiretoday

I will be receiving treatment at University Of Virginia Hospital. My insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield- Anthem. The docs made a big deal about it possibly not being approved but when the nurse put it through for approval- they were able to approve it within 3 days. I've also tried most everything except a SCS.

I am very excited! I go in Tuesday

That's my alma mater (not the med school, unfortunately). It's a great hospital system, though, and I hope you have a fantastic and successful experience. I also have BCBS so I'm hoping my wife will inherit your good luck.

Keep us posted on the treatment. Best wishes.

[birchlake]

Wow, that is GREAT news. I can't speak to the procedure personally, but have sure seen some good results with some people.

Best of luck to you; you will do well. And please update us about how things are going when you can!!

[Littlepaw]

Hey how you doin'? I hope you are home and feeling good! Thinking of you and sending soft hugs.

[Inspiretoday]

Good Afternoon,

I am home from my Ketamine Infusion. I was discharged after 7 days (5 full days at the therapeutic dose of Ketamine). I have to say the infusion was nothing like I thought it would be. I fortunately had little side effects other than being nauseous sometimes and had pretty colors flowing behind eyelids when closing my eyes. I went in with pain an 8 (I live at an 8-10) and with the Ketamine, my pain decreased to the minimum of a 2. I still had spikes with the pain and every day was different. Some days I was feeling great and other days I was in tears.

I was able to do PT while the infusion was happening. Everyday the PT came to my room and we would walk in the hallway or do mobility exercises in the bed. I even had a foot pedal bike by my bed the last 2 days. My pain would always spike with PT but I got stronger while in the hospital.

I was coherent about 90% of the time and never had hallucinations. It was definitely an experience and I felt that they should have had a Pain Psychologist to do rounds for Ketamine patients as it was very emotional.

Another perk I found from the infusion is that my depression is better. (Ketamine is also used as a treatment for depression). I feel like Ketamine lightened the load for me bringing me out from under my pain and burden of being chronically ill. I feel like the world is a "brighter/sunnier" place since having the infusion.

Coming home I am extremely exhausted. I take about 3 naps a day. My pain coming home was about a 3 to a 4 and has spiked up to a 7 at times. This morning My pain was a 2 and now it is about a 7. (Feeling that Tourniquet feeling on my left leg and my leg is not getting enough circulation).

When I am feeling less tired I am going to write a post on preparing for an inpatient infusion because I felt that I wasn't prepared emotionally or even with stuff to do in the hospital. My dr told me, not to celebrate the highs or mourn the lows as each day will be different. He says the pain will spike and then will gradually even out over the next week.

I feel hopeful that this will work for me as I have seen a huge change. I was hoping that I would 100% feel better and have my life back but now I know that was just unrealistic. I am excited that I can now get up the stairs without crawling and I am celebrating the little things.

[Littlepaw]

Glad you're home and back from Planet K! It really sounds positive overall. Remember the ball of yarn analogy my PM made. There may still be gains to be made here as your body and pathways adjust. Activity is always good but if it brings on intense pain I personally would pull back and keep those pain pathways quiet. When I start to get even a whiff of my pre-ketamine pain, I slow way down because I do NOT want to remember that intensity.

Keep up the good work and self care. Not crawling up the stairs is awesome! Besides it's hell on knees and pantseats...went through a few pair that way.

Sending hugs,

[susieh]

My son has been diagnosed with rsd and has been in constant intractable pain for almost 2 years now. I am having a hard time finding good knowledgeable clinicians in the Sacramento area and am seriously looking at ketamine infusions. I'd be very grateful if we could chat so I might learn what you've learned in your journey.
Where did you get your infusions and who was your provider?
I'm looking at out of state because I can't find anything here.
My best to you,
Susan