Have you tried ketamine or esketamine for treatment resistant depression?

Orrrr, have you heard anything about it?

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Coppercoil · M

My dr suggested it but says its really expensive. Most can't afford it.

Procrastablogger · 26-30, M

It’s a dissociative we use it on trauma patients that are at risk for respiratory issues or are allergic to opioids … really hard to overdose on it but It can knock you out for a long time if you do

KA9ha · 31-35, M

thats anaesthesia and pain subdue drug....
dont think you should do this.... it will drive you senseless
Are you feeling ok ???

Pretzel · 61-69, M

ketamine for depression?
does that work?

itsok · 31-35, F

It offers short term relief. @Pretzel

Pretzel · 61-69, M

@itsok that's interesting

Subsumedpat · 36-40, M

@Pretzel There are a number of drugs that were not used either because they were sometimes abused (ketamine) or were illegal (majic mushrooms) which have since been found to be helpful for depression and addiction. It is a shame we let government tell doctors what they can use to help us.

Lostinthewoods · M

I hear it works well. They have set up a string of clinics in the US.

SW-User

rokrchik1211 · 26-30, F

I have heard about it and have thought about it but have been told by a therapist that if I decide to do it to go to a place that puts you under during the injection, otherwise it can make you hallucinate

itsok · 31-35, F

@rokrchik1211 I had no idea you were put under. I’m guessing that is for just the ketamine IV? Did your therapist mention hallucinations with esketamine nasal spray?

rokrchik1211 · 26-30, F

Your not at every place that does the injection. Only some and no. @itsok

itsok · 31-35, F

Ohhh sorry, I misread the previous comment. Thank you for your answer @rokrchik1211

MrBlueGuy

I mean..I've used it recreationally (and I use that term loosely) and I've heard of it doing good things for depression. Since it's a dissociative I'm guessing it allows you to disassociate from all the negative feelings that you have inside. The downside from what I've heard is it isn't a long lasting cure. The negative feelings come back and then you have to go for more therapy..and I'm thinking depression might be better than long term exposure to ketamine that can really negatively affect your health.

itsok · 31-35, F

I dissociate pretty easily and often on my own. I realize it’s not a long lasting treatment, but I would like to think it might be beneficial in certain situations and for certain people. I think it depends on severity, but I think relying on any medicine is probably based on severity. I know this is an extreme scenario, but if someone is very suicidal, and can’t get out of bed, in that situation ketamine is more safe than no ketamine, right? @MrBlueGuy

MrBlueGuy

@itsok OH yes of course. Like even normal anti-depressants can have some nasty side effects but again if you're dealing with someone that has extreme suicidal tendencies and the medicine works, they should go for it. But I think as a society we rely to much on medication without exhausting other forms of treatment as well. It's going to sound naive but I honestly think for a lot of people, a good diet, proper exercise and sense of purpose in their lives would do much more for them than scarfing down pills.

Mental illness is certainly real and if someone is clinically depressed and medication helps I am all for it.. I know people who's lives have been helped immensely from finding the right medication. But for people with situational depression, that survive on sugar, drink too much alcohol..hate their job, no close relationships..the only answer is fixing the problems in their lives and if meds help them to do that, that's fine, but I think some people think the meds ARE the cure, which isn't right. Sorry for the diatribe, haha.

itsok · 31-35, F

I agree wholeheartedly @MrBlueGuy

Pinkstarburst

My therapist and I have talked about it. It has been helpful for many from what I understand.

itsok · 31-35, F

@Pinkstarburst I’ve been wondering about it for a few months now. I stopped meds after 8 years of trying back in 2016 after a dna test for personalized medicine came back unhelpful. I was referred to a new psychiatrist that was more comfortable with experimental treatment, but I felt uncomfortable with my options. I’m interested in ketamine but kinda scared.

Pinkstarburst

@itsok From what I understand you receive IV treatments that take about 45 minutes...I'm not sure how many of those are done. But, after, there is a nasal spray that is prescribed. I have also looked into transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This is NOT shock treatments but is administered similarly using magnetic pulses. I wish you luck finding the best treatment.