If you've been experiencing depression or anxiety, you may be looking for alternative treatments. One such treatment to consider is ketamine treatment. According to Yale Medicine, in one study, 70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression who were started on an oral antidepressant and intranasal esketamine improved, compared to just over half in the group that did not receive the medication. If you're not familiar with what the treatments involve, read on for insight about what to expect.
Preparation
There is some slight prep work before treatment. The doctor will ask you to avoid any drinks or food the first few hours before coming in. In terms of wardrobe, you should also dress as comfortably as possible since you'll need to lie down or recline. After treatment is complete, you may feel a little drowsy, so you should have reliable transportation to bring you back home.
Procedure
You can expect typical ketamine treatments to last about 40 minutes, according to our team. Since it's delivered by IV, it'll go straight to your system. It's administered in an office or hospital setting, so you'll be monitored by reliable medical staff. If there is a problem delivering the IV due to a vein issue, you may also qualify for intramuscular injections, where they'll use one of the larger muscles in your thigh or arm for the injection.
Safety
As long as you go to a licensed professional at a hospital or clinical setting, you can rest assured that this type of treatment is safe. Some small and temporary side effects may occur, including a temporary increase in blood pressure or heart rate, dizziness, nausea, or reduced coordination. As the ketamine treatment goes throughout your system, be mindful of how it's affecting you and notify any nearby medical professionals if you're not feeling well.
Effectiveness
One of the reasons why this type of treatment is growing in use is because of how effective it is. Patients have been using it to help with various mental health disorders like anxiety, PTSD, depression, and suicide ideation. Therefore, if previous medications or therapy have not eased your symptoms, it's worth giving this one a try.
IV ketamine treatments are giving new hope to patients dealing with depression, PTSD, and other mental issues. These are safe treatments that may have small temporary side effects. They're delivered by trained professionals, so you'll be in a safe, monitored environment. To learn more about how such treatments can help you, contact our clinic at New Wave Medicine for more information.