Finding relief for treatment resistant chronic pain disease or depression can be frustrating.
Considering how common and devastating these conditions can be and unfortunate limitations of existent treatments, ketamine has come into the forefront as the potential option in those cases. Ketamine provides hope for patients who otherwise can’t find adequate help with traditional approaches. Ketamine is a drug available in intravenous (IV) and nasal spray (esketamine) forms. Both ketamine and esketamine are given in a doctor’s office or in a clinic. At Advanced Pain Management Center, we offer intravenous ketamine infusions for patients in need of adjuvant therapy or those who have failed other treatment options.
What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is a medical treatment that uses low doses of ketamine, delivered intravenously (IV), to rapidly address treatment-resistant issues related to chronic pain and in some cases, PTSD.
Core Uses and Effectiveness
Chronic Pain
It helps manage neuropathic (nerve) pain, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) by “resetting” overactive pain pathways in the nervous system.
PTSD
Ketamine is also used off-label for anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.
Rapid Action
Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work, ketamine can provide relief within hours or days.
How It Works
Ketamine works by aiding regrowth of vital connections (synapses) between brain cells. This process essentially “rewires” parts of the brain involved in mood and pain regulation.
What to Expect During Treatment
The Session
Your appointment will last about an hour or perhaps a little longer. The infusion itself takes 45 minutes or longer in a monitored clinical setting. You should plan on spending hour or a bit more at your appointment as you will be monitored after treatment in addition to receiving the infusion.
The Experience
Patients often experience a dissociative or dream-like state, which may include feeling detached from the body, seeing vivid colors, or experiencing time differently.
Contraindications to Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy should not be used in patients with the following:
- Active substance abuse
- Psychosis
- Active suicidal ideation/plans
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding mother
- Prior hypersensitivity or negative reaction to ketamine.
The Protocol
Ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain generally involves a series of low-dose, intravenous infusions, over 45-minute time period and 15 minutes of observation after the infusion has been completed. It is best to receive treatments twice weekly for a defined period of time determined by your physician. It is used for refractory conditions like CRPS, often in a monitored outpatient setting to manage pain.
What to Expect During Treatment
Dosing
Low-dose, sub-anesthetic infusions.
Duration
Two 45-minute infusions twice a week for a specified period of time which will be determined by your physician.
Administration
Intravenous (IV) line, with continuous blood pressure and oxygen monitoring.
Optional Premedication
At the discretion of your physician other medications such as Midazolam may be given to reduce dissociative side effects.
Maintenance
Repeat infusions (booster sessions) may be needed every few months. If required, the frequency will be determined by your physician.
Indications & Eligibility
Conditions
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), neuropathic pain, and sometimes fibromyalgia.
Requirements
Typically for patients who have not responded to traditional pain therapies.
Safety and Side Effects
Short-term Effects
Common side effects during or immediately after the infusion include nausea, dizziness, temporary blood pressure increases, and blurred vision. These typically resolve within an hour.
Requirements
Patients cannot drive for the rest of the treatment day and must arrange for a ride home.
Medical Supervision
To ensure safety, treatment must be administered by trained medical professionals, including specialized nurses who monitor vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen) throughout the procedure.
Cost and Accessibility
Insurance
Most insurance plans do not cover IV ketamine infusions, meaning patients often pay out-of-pocket, which costs $500 per session.
For additional information, please contact us by emailing: info@apmconline.com
