HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER TREATMENTS & IV HYDRATION THERAPY?
You’re not alone. When it comes to major depressive disorder treatments and IV hydration therapy, many people have questions. Here are answers to some of the more frequently asked questions about ketamine treatments and IV vitamin therapy. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, please contact us—our clinical team is happy to answer any questions you may have.
FAQS ABOUT KETAMINE & MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER TREATMENTS
ARE KETAMINE INFUSIONS SAFE?
Ketamine first earned its position as an FDA approved anesthetic and analgesic in the 1960’s. At this time, it was quickly adopted—on and off the battlefield—for many medical procedures. For decades, ketamine remained a medical tool. However, despite its usefulness, as it aged, so did its application. Once the patent holders application expired–after 20 years–its production, development and application dwindled away to nothing.
For many years, Ketamine remained a generic drug, only being noticed infrequently by older generations of doctors, but often being replaced by something newer. However, in the last decade, a number of studies have been published which describe ketamines usefulness in much lower—sub-anesthetic dosages—as an antidepressant. Since then, ketamine has quickly earned the title as the fastest antidepressant available, and has inspired the FDA approval a new ketamine-derived nasal spray. Because of its usefulness, ketamine clinics like ours have continued to open their doors around the country.
WHAT'S THE FIRST VISIT LIKE?
Receiving ketamine infusions is a safe and relatively painless process. Of course, since it’s an infusion, there are needles involved, but the entire process is conducted by one of our friendly and experienced staff.
Before anyone can receive a ketamine infusion, they must qualify. This simply means completing some paperwork and providing our office with some forms. Sometimes, these forms may also require the signature of your doctor or mental healthcare provider. Once we process the paperwork, each patient will either be approved or disapproved.
Before the first infusion, each qualified patient must participate in an initial consultation with one of our clinicians. During the meeting, we review the patients current medications and symptoms, and answer any remaining questions. Once complete, the patient is guided to one of our administration rooms in order to receive their ketamine infusion.
We kindly ask that patients arrive at least 15-minutes earlier than their schedule appointment time. Ketamine infusions for depression typically last around 45 minutes. Infusions for chronic pain can last for up to 4-hours depending on the severity. Along with each infusion we closely monitor your heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
On rare occasions, some patients become nauseous during their infusion. When this happens we are able to supplement their treatment with some anti-nausea medication. However, we advise all patients to avoid eating solid foods, soup, or pulpy juices for six hours prior to their appointment.
While it’s uncommon, some patients report experiencing some non-threatening hallucinations while receiving their infusion. This is likely due to the increase in epinephrine and cortisol—stress—over receiving the treatment. However, most of the time, many patients pass the time by listening to music during their infusion.
Following each infusion, we prefer each patient to wait 30 minutes before leaving the clinic and to avoid driving heavy machinery for 24-hours. Once this time has passed a friend or family member will be permitted to drive them home.
HOW ARE KETAMINE INFUSIONS FOR DEPRESSION & PAIN ADMINISTERED?
Intravenous administration allows for 100% bioavailability, which means it’s the most potent delivery method possible. However, if necessary we are also able to administer the treatment intranasally, intramuscularly, orally, or sublingually. These methods generally offer much less of the medication to the body as it passes the blood-brain barrier, which increases the chances of an unsuccessful treatment.
CAN KETAMINE BE ABUSED?
Just like most things, drugs, of course, have been abused and used recreationally. Unfortunately, many wrongfully assume that this means the drug is not useful otherwise. As the studies have shown, ketamine is incredibly useful, when used appropriately, as an antidepressant and chronic pain reliever.
SHOULD I DISCONTINUE OTHER MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER TREATMENTS ONCE I START KETAMINE TREATMENTS?
No. In fact, as a depression treatment, the research has shown ketamine to be most effective when it is combined with a traditional antidepressant. Before each patient’s first infusion, we review a list of your medications to make sure there are no contraindications.
ARE KETAMINE INFUSIONS ADDICTIVE?
The medical research has not described ketamine as a physically addictive drug. When administered in a safe, controlled environment like our clinic, there is a relatively low risk of addiction. Ketamine clinics, like ours, never prescribe ketamine for patients to take home, so the only way any patient could receive the medication is through a scheduled infusion appointment.
HOW MANY KETAMINE INFUSIONS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE I'LL FEEL BETTER?
Statistically, the research has shown administering ketamine serially over a two week period to be most effective for treating depression and chronic pain. Initially, we recommend each patient receives 4-6 infusions to treat their symptoms. Follow this, we recommend returning on an as-needed basis after that. For most patients, this means returning only a few times a year, but sometimes it can be more frequent than that.
FAQS ABOUT IV HYDRATION THERAPY
IS IV HYDRATION THERAPY SAFE?
Our IV Hydration is 100% safe and totally non-addictive.
For nearly 200 years, people have safely received their medications through IVs. Our IV Hydration treatments are among those safe IV treatments.
All of our staff, who administer treatments, are licensed and certified for the procedures they perform. Additionally, each of our registered nurses have years of professional medical experience, which includes adminstering IVs and the like.
If you still have any questions, we encourage you to ask one of our registered nurses.
HOW LONG IS A TYPICAL IV VITAMIN DRIP?
Depending ont he invididual, it can vary from 30-45 minutes. Anyone planning a session should expect to devote at least 1-hour of their day for the seated procedure. Many patients spend the time talking with our nurses, watching TV, and scrolling through their phones.
HOW OFTEN CAN I RECEIVE IV VITAMIN THERAPY?
IV Hydration was made to reinvigorate your body with the essential vitamins and nutrients it’s lacking. That means, depending on your lifestyle and the symptoms, it may be necessary to receive one either frequently, or infrequently. Our staff is ready to help you build a schedule that works for you.
HOW DOES IV HYDRATION THERAPY WORK?
Our pharmaceutical grade saline or lactated ringers (plus additives) solution is administered intravenously into your body, enriching any depleted internal vitamin and mineral stores. IV Hydration quickly provides the body with missing elecrolytes, which helps with the symptoms of lingering hangovers, and more.
DO I NEED A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL FOR IV HYDRATION THERAPY?
All of our treatments are reviewed by our on-call physican. However, if you find it necessary to discuss this elective procedure with with your doctor, we encourage you to do so. However, to ensure that you receive the best from our staff and from your treatments, the only thing you really need to do is provide our office with accurate and up-to-date medical information.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN IV HYDRATION THERAPY TREAT?
IV hydration therapy can address a myriad of symptoms. IV hydration is a popular hangover cure, and can help athletes recover faster and perform better. There are also IV drips designed to improve skin health and appearance, increase energy, boost the immune system, and more. Click here for our full menu of IV Vitamin Therapy services.
