Could Ketamine Infusions be Right for You?
Ketamine infusion therapy is a viable treatment option for managing chronic pain symptoms and may be especially effective for patients who have become resistant to narcotics and other pain-relieving treatments. For sufferers of CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), and migraines.
Ketamine works by resetting the central nervous system’s sensitization to pain, thereby providing relief. Unlike opiates which make patients more sensitive to pain over time, ketamine helps quiet the brain during treatment and restores normal processing of pain in the brain to provide long-term relief. The pain response is believed to be due to the activation of nerve cell receptors, namely NMDA receptor. Ketamine is a potent anesthetic that targets these receptors, which block them from firing and decreases pain.
How Are Ketamine Infusions Administered?
Ketamine is administered into your blood through an intravenous line (IV) and it is called an infusion. Patients receive ketamine infusions in our clinic and are released after 3-4 hours. Our health care team monitors patients’ vital signs throughout the infusion. Most patients experience meaningful pain relief within one week. An estimated 50-60% people obtain relief and most after just one infusion. You may experience relief for one month, or it may last up to 11 months. We continue to monitor your symptoms and can repeat the infusions as needed.
Ketamine infusions may not be right for everyone, they can worsen certain conditions such as heart rhythm issues or schizophrenia. You and your health care team can determine if ketamine infusions are right for you.
Please phone our office at (352) 394-0833 for consultation.
