As you can imagine, we watch the headlines on topics related to ketamine with great interest. We feel a strong need to speak to some recent events. Even more important, we want to share some guidance on ketamine safety and how to choose a clinic that best meets your needs. The death of Matthew Perry and subsequent charges pressed against those who provided the ketamine that ultimately killed him has brought the topic of ketamine to the national stage. Here in our own community, charges are being levied against a ketamine provider for overdosing and inappropriate behavior with patients. With stories like these, it’s easy to understand why people would be cautious about exploring ketamine treatment and its benefits. However, when ketamine therapy is offered by a well-qualified professional in an appropriate setting, it can be a life-changing treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and acute or chronic pain.
About Ketamine’s Safety Record
Ketamine was FDA approved in the 1960s. It has been used as a dissociative anesthetic and analgesic for decades. It is listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. More recently ketamine infusions have been successfully used to treat depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, substance abuse, and a variety of other disorders. It is important, however, to ensure that ketamine is administered by experienced providers. Experienced provides ensure appropriate doses and a monitored, safe setting.
When used as an antidepressant, ketamine is given in low doses – with attention to research that has shown it is effective for treatment and that minimizes the potential for complications. Ketamine is safe for most people. It is important to have a thorough evaluation by a medical provider prior to treatment. During your evaluation and afterwards, you will let your treatment provider know if something changes in your medical history. Some people may need to have medications adjusted to improve medical conditions. For example, people with high blood pressure should be on appropriate medications and have good blood pressure control prior to receiving ketamine. Ketamine is generally not recommended for people while they are pregnant or breast feeding. Other people, like those with schizophrenia or other forms of psychosis, might not be good candidates for ketamine therapy.
Ketamine is Very Effective
Ketamine has been used to successfully treat thousands of people with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health conditions. For depression and suicidal thoughts, the two mental health conditions most studied, 70-80% of patients experience significant improvement with appropriate treatment. Most people have symptom relief with the first infusion. Traditional antidepressants have a lower success rate and take weeks or months to have an effect.
How well and how quickly ketamine works depends on many factors. Each patient’s body and mind are different – no two patients are exactly alike. Some of these factors include:
- Variation in degree and type of condition
- History of medication use and substance use
- How well a patient is prepared to work with their therapist as they start ketamine treatment
- Even a patient’s nutrition status can make a difference
Everyone will experience ketamine a little differently. Some patients feel an immediate shift in their attitude and mood. They often describing the experience as a “lightness” or “lifting of heaviness” that starts a few minutes into the first infusion. Others feel the fog of depression lift gradually over the first three or four treatments.
With such a high success rate, rapid results, and relatively low risk, ketamine is an attractive option for many people who have depression, PTSD, pain, and many other issues.
What to Look for in a Care Team
If you are considering ketamine therapy, look for a clinic that has staff who are experienced and able to work with your existing health care providers. Most clinics (including Satori Integrative Medicine Clinic) will want a referral from your primary care, specialty physician, or mental health provider.
Your ketamine treatment should be managed by a physician who evaluates your health history, current medical conditions, medications, and whether ketamine is an appropriate treatment for you specifically. They should take the time to consult with your primary care provider, specialty physicians such as your cardiologist or pulmonologist, and/or your mental health providers as necessary to ensure that treatment is safe and right for you.
The clinic personnel should monitor you carefully throughout your treatment. They should have proper emergency equipment and medications readily available. It is also important that the clinic space feels comfortable and emotionally safe. Finally, progress of your treatment or concerns related to your ketamine therapy should be relayed back to your referring provider.
High Standard of Care
At Satori Integrative Medicine Clinic, we hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to patient care. Patients have every right to expect the best. As for our own best practices:
- We work with your existing care team to optimize your health and well-being.
- We will ask for your permission to speak with your other health care providers so that we can make sure that the treatment we provide is safe and effective and designed uniquely for you.
- Our clinic is comfortable, safe, and professionally staffed. There are two staff members in the office at all times.
- Stoner is an experienced anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained integrative medicine physician. Her approach to integrative medicine is to work with the patient to choose the science-based tools from a full range of medical traditions and alternative/complementary modalities that optimize their individual mental and physical health.
- We will work with you and your other health and wellness providers to truly integrate your care.
- We will never offer ketamine for home use in any form.
Trust Your Intuition
Most importantly, trust your own intuition about whether or not a provider or clinic is a good fit for you. You should never feel pressured or unsafe as part of your treatment!
More Reading
- What to Look for in a Ketamine Clinic https://www.askp.org/patients/what-to-look-for-in-a-clinic/
- How to Choose the Best Ketamine Infusion Center https://ketamineinstitute.com/infusion-therapy-for-depression-and-anxiety/how-to-find-the-best-ketamine-clinic-2023/
***
In Glenwood Springs, CO, our integrative medicine clinic and ketamine treatment center offers ketamine infusions, integrative medicine, and acupuncture. Dr. Stoner believes there are many paths to health. Her approach to integrative medicine is to work with the patient to choose the science-based tools from a full range of medical traditions and alternative/complementary modalities that optimize their individual mental and physical health. She will work with you and your other health and wellness providers to truly integrate your care.
We specialize in treatment for those suffering from major depression, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder (bipolar depression), postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and addiction.
We utilize conventional and alternative modalities to help our patients be the best they can be, given what they have and where they’re starting. If you or someone close to you would benefit from our services, please contact us today to schedule an appointment and/or learn how we can help you awaken to a new life.
Recent Comments