Tried Ketamine for Depression
Never tried. - 75.0% - 3 votes
Tried, didn't help. - 0.0% - 0 votes
Tried, helped me! - 25.0% - 1 votes
Lynnwood
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Joined : May 2005
Posts : 8160
Posted 9/13/2019 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi friends,
Low-grade chronic depression for 45+ years. No meds have ever helped much, so generally I just keep on doing the next right thing, coping as I can.
The hard spots seem to be getting harder and more difficult to shake, so I've been wondering if anyone has tried Ketamine treatments for depression? If so, would love to hear about your experience.
Thanks
I did a search on HW and only found reference to it in conjunction with chronic pain.
getting by
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Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45296
Posted 9/13/2019 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood!
I believe I had ketamine when I had a colonoscopy. They gave me two injections and I didn't fall asleep so I watched it on the screen. Kind of cool. I have never had it for depression though. I hope it works for you and as always, keep us posted.
Hugs, Karen...
Lynnwood
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Joined : May 2005
Posts : 8160
Posted 9/13/2019 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, but I doubt I'll try it without finding someone who has tried it first!
getting by
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Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45296
Posted 9/13/2019 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I don't blame you. Have you talked to your doctor about it? What I had was suppose to put me into "twilight" state, but it didn't. What medications have you tried? They are always coming out with new ones. I hope you can find what works for you Lynnwood.
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs, Karen...
Lynnwood
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Joined : May 2005
Posts : 8160
Posted 9/13/2019 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Haven't even bothered with a therapist or psychiatrist for years. They've never given me much relief. Latest was Wellbutrin, where they kept increasing the dose but still nothing changed. Then he wanted to do TMS, but that seemed REALLY costly and nothing I read lead me to believe it would be all that helpful. (One of those Drs who had one of the TMS machines in house, thus thought it was the answer to all problems.) I don't remember everything I've tried... Elavil, Zoloft for sure.
I get more relief with Dr Pepper!!! Haha.
getting by
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Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45296
Posted 9/13/2019 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Ha Ha Lynnwood!!!
I know what you mean. It took me a lot of different medications to find what worked for me. But I been lucky with the SNRI's. Effexor and Pristiq both worked well for me. But I take additionally Abilify and Xanax. Oh and newly added Lexapro. Just a little though to add to the Pristiq because the insurance company wouldn't pay for what I needed of the Pristiq.
That is something the doc had the TMS machine at the house. Kind of spooky. But I could see where it would help people.
I really do hope you find something that works. HT (Turtle) said he started taking an amino acid that is helping him think more clearly and I think it helps mentally too. He called it N-acetyl cysteine. Or NAC. He is in Australia. I think he posted about it on the bi-polar forum. It might help some. I am going to check it out.
Hugs, Karen...
Lynnwood
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Joined : May 2005
Posts : 8160
Posted 9/13/2019 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
By "in house" I meant in his office that he shares with other Drs, not in a private home. lol
Lexapro and Xanax don't help my depression -- but Xanax is great for anxiety!!
Used to take an amino acid for something... don't remember which one or for what, maybe for fever blisters?
getting by
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Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45296
Posted 9/13/2019 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Probably L-Lysine, I use to take it for cold sores. It was a good preventative medication. Or supplement.
Thanks for clearing that up. Some doctors practice out their home I imagine. I thought maybe that was it.
I take the Xanax for the anxiety and abilify as a mood stabilizer. I guess abilify is often used for bi-polar too.
I just started the Lexapro. I am only taking five mg. But it has helped. I never tried it before now.
I hope you have a good evening and a good weekend. Seems to me it always is Friday. The weeks pass so fast anymore.
Hugs, Karen...
Crayne12
New Member
Joined : Oct 2019
Posts : 4
Posted 10/16/2019 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have had ketamine treatment for pain because I have CRPS and altho it was not directly for depression it has helped me with that issue. For me personally while I am on the "high" of ketamine it helps alot...I feel like I dont have a care in the world and there is no way I could ever be depressed and I have no pain. Then I "come down" and the effects last like 3 hours...sometimes more sometimes less... but after the effects are totally gone not only does the pain come back but so does the depression and in my experience it's worse when it does come back....almost like my mind is trying to make up for the time it lost.
This is just my experience with it...does not mean it will be your experience...