At your first treatment visit, we will again go over the treatment plan and goals, review the risks and benefits of the procedure, and answer any further questions you may have.
On the day of each infusion, you will need someone to accompany you to your appointment and drive you home as the Ketamine will leave you mildly disoriented. YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE YOURSELF HOME.
You do not have to go without eating and drinking the day of the infusion, although large meals and large amounts of drinking is discouraged as nausea can be a side effect of Ketamine therapy.
Wear comfortable clothes and prepare to be relaxed, safe, and well taken care of. We will get initial vital signs and an IV will be started.
Most people find the Ketamine infusion experience to be pleasant. Patients do not usually sleep as the dose given is lower than an anesthetic dose.
Most effects of the medicine wear off within minutes after the infusion, but patients can feel more tired than usual for a few hours after the infusion.
Ketamine is generally well-tolerated, but if any side effects are encountered such as visual disturbances or elevated blood pressure, our staff will quickly give IV medications to counteract them.
The effects of ketamine are felt very quickly. You will be aware of your surroundings, but you will be unable to carry on with normal daily functions, like having a normal conversation or standing up. You may experience feeling confused, dizzy, or nauseous. Most patients have little to no side effects and any effects quickly subside after the infusion is complete.
After the Ketamine infusion series is completed, the duration of symptom relief can be variable. Most patients will feel well for 1-2 months, but some can respond for up to 6 months. Single booster infusions can be scheduled to achieve symptom relief again, and generally, no more is needed than a single booster infusion to achieve similar length of symptom relief.
