You have been diagnosed with depression and have decided that you want to try ketamine as a treatment option. You have done your research and know that ketamine, in contrast to other traditional drugs, works almost instantly, with long-lasting effects. But you are nervous because this is a procedure unlike anything else you have tried for your depression.
To help ease some of your apprehension about your first ketamine infusion, here is what you should expect:
Before any infusion treatment is conducted you will need to have a consultation. During this time the doctor will review your medical history, referrals from other medical providers and answer any questions that you might have about the process. A treatment plan to include dosage amount, rate and duration will be developed based on this consultation.
On the day of your infusion, you will be brought in to a private area and made as comfortable as possible. You will be connected to monitors to observe your vital signs and a small needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm. This needle will be connected to an IV and this is how the ketamine will be administered. Your treatment will last between 45-60 minutes.
Due to the controlled environment and predetermined treatment plan, your side effects to the drug will not resemble that of recreational use. Instead you should expect to feel a sense of deep relaxation. This deep relaxation may become such that you will not be able to move and feel much of your body. Your mind will be active during this time and may feel somewhat like an out of body experience. Sometimes you might also experience a feeling of being slightly inebriated but in a euphoric, weight lifted off your shoulders, kind of way.
After the treatment ends, you will regain your full faculties within minutes. You will be invited to stay in the office and relax for a while before having someone take you home.
Remember that the goal of your ketamine infusion is to empower you to achieve relieved symptoms of depression. There is no need to be worried about the process. This is an opportunity for you to relax and remove yourself from any sensations of pain, may they be physical or mental.
Contact Renew Ketamine
Renew Ketamine is Chicagoland’s leading provider of ketamine infusions for depression and pain. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out if you or a loved one is a candidate for ketamine infusion therapy.
