Originally Posted by Shay08

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

Originally Posted by Hotfoot53

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

Originally Posted by CRPSbe

There is such a thing as long-acting gabapentin? If I'm not mistaken gabapentin is not like a regular pain medication and is in itself long-acting. I can't make heads nor tails of this. Can you explain it to me? I've never heard of this.

Originally Posted by Hotfoot53

Shay,
Thank you! That is really good information for me. I've been asking a lot of questions of my doctor and getting info here plus researching medical/ pain science researchers to get a lot of ideas and opinions. For now the program I'm using is working, but I like to have something thought out in the wings in case I need it!
I'm glad for you that you've found something that works for you!
Best,
Hotfoot

Originally Posted by Shay08

Yes, gathering this information ahead of time is a really wise thing to do. I do get concerned that eventually I may need a different approach and I have been pleased with my latest doctor's knowledge regarding different meds and approaches. I do appreciate this site because people share what is working for them. Your input and input from people like Littlepaw who shared the latest info on clinical trials is so important. The more we know now the better we will be prepared to make new decisions if the need occurs.

Thanks for your and all of the members' input on this site.

Shay

Originally Posted by Littlepaw

Hi Hotfoot,

A word on the ketamine protocols...if you get in a bind and need something added to your routine, weekly ketamine may actually be able to help. The majority of studies are done on the 10 day treatment but there are other methods. My PM now only administers ketamine once a week at his clinic and that seems to be working for many of his patients. For me, it was the build up over time of weekly then bi-weekly, then every 3 weeks, etc that helped break my pain cycle. Now, like Shay, I only go every 3 months for a one session booster. This has been keeping things pretty under control and going once a week was a lot easier on me in the beginning both physically and financially. My cost per session is in keeping with Shay's as well. My infusions run $300.

Originally Posted by Littlepaw

Hi Hotfoot,

A word on the ketamine protocols...if you get in a bind and need something added to your routine, weekly ketamine may actually be able to help. The majority of studies are done on the 10 day treatment but there are other methods. My PM now only administers ketamine once a week at his clinic and that seems to be working for many of his patients. For me, it was the build up over time of weekly then bi-weekly, then every 3 weeks, etc that helped break my pain cycle. Now, like Shay, I only go every 3 months for a one session booster. This has been keeping things pretty under control and going once a week was a lot easier on me in the beginning both physically and financially. My cost per session is in keeping with Shay's as well. My infusions run $300.

Originally Posted by Hotfoot53

Thank you littlepaw, that is helpful to add to my info gathering on potential treatments. Idk what I'm doing next...just trying to keep moving and have options researched (at least partway) before I get there! Of course kinda
hoping I'll never get there.
These posts have been really helpful in doing that. Thank you so much for sharing!😊

New question for anyone who feels like jumping in:
I'm trying to get back to my old job (before CRPS). Has anyone gone back to the same job successfully full time?
Thank you all!
Hotfoot53

Originally Posted by Shay08

Hotfoot, your new question is a good one. You may want to start a new thread to get everyone's attention on that one.

I was already retired when CRPS developed. However, I can say that I could have probably returned to work with some modifications that would be possible. I would have needed more time off than before the CRPS and I don't think it would have been easy.

It would really depend on the type of job and how well the pain is being managed. If a person is on a lot of meds with side effects that prevent them from driving or operating machinery or that prevent them from concentrating, that would certainly be a deterrent.

There are people who go into remission and I hope you hear from them. (I also hope that you become one of them.) Good luck with your quest to return to work. Remember that there is always hope!

Shay