Ketamine may be used to reduce symptoms of depression, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and addiction. At Midwest Ketafusion®️, you will undergo a personalized consultation with a board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). During this consultation, we will determine if a ketamine infusion is an appropriate treatment choice for you.
*information provided by www.aana.com
Clinical evidence has shown effective intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions for the treatment of depression, treatment-resistant depression (TRD), refractory depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, migraines, and chronic pain conditions involving neuropathic component such as in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia.
Ketamine is an extremely safe medication when administered in a controlled setting and in low doses by a licensed provider. However, there are a few medical conditions that might prohibit you from ketamine infusion treatments and include the following: uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable heart disease, untreated hyperthyroid disease, renal insufficiency, liver impairment, current manic episode, or active psychotic (hallucinations or delusions) symptoms associated with schizophrenia, history of ketamine dependence and current pregnancy.
If you are suffering from acute suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. We will help you get in touch with your local crisis center or mental health provider. However, our clinic do not currently treat patients with acute suicidal ideations.
Side effects are uncommon due to safety precautions and the use of low-dose ketamine for our infusions. Although not typical, side effects may include a mild increase in blood pressure and heart rate, light-headedness, temporary blurred vision, the sensation of “floating,” euphoria, and nausea. At our clinic, each patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation are monitored continuously with each infusion. Medications will be given to treat any side effects, such as nausea. Currently, there is no data documenting long-term side effects with low doses of ketamine administered for short periods of time.
It is recommended that you continue to take all your medications as scheduled, including your medications for pain and depression. As you progress with your ketamine infusion treatment plan, you may find a decreased need for your pain medications or your antidepressants. It is highly recommended that you continue to work with your primary care provider or mental health provider to wean off these medications rather than stopping abruptly to prevent potential rebound effects.
We also recommend that you not take benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium) the day of your infusion. You may obtain better results if you are weaned off of your benzodiazepines prior to ketamine treatment. Opioid pain medications (i.e. Oxycontin, Vicodin, Norco, Percocet, MScontin) and muscles relaxers should not be taken 6 hours prior to your infusion or within 4 hours after your infusion. If you have a prescription to medical cannabis, we also recommend you avoid the use 3 days prior to your infusion.
No, you do not need a referral to receive ketamine infusions. At Midwest Ketafusion®️, we do require all of our patients to meet with one of our licensed providers and undergo a thorough history and physical exam. Some patients may be asked for a written referral from their mental health or primary care provider.
Yes. Please do not have anything to eat for 6 hours prior to your scheduled infusion time. You may drink clear liquids up to two hours prior to your scheduled infusion time.
Yes, you will be required by our clinic to have a driver on your infusion days. The driver can be a family member or a trusted friend or neighbor, someone to get you to and from our clinic safely. Your driver will have to check in with our clinic when you arrive for your infusion appointment. If you arrive without a driver, we have the obligation to cancel your appointment and/or re-schedule your infusion to ensure your safety post-infusion treatment.
Upon discharge from our clinic, we also recommend you to NOT drive/operate heavy machinery or weaponry (i.e. car, ATV, lawnmower, snow blower, hunting gears) nor engage in strenuous activities (i.e. run a marathon) within 24 hours post-treatment.
Prior to your first scheduled infusion appointment, you would have already been evaluated by one of our board-certified anesthesia providers. You would have received an email reminder of your upcoming appointment and food/fluid restriction policy.
This email can serve as a guideline for your personalized care and treatment at our clinic. Therefore, you are highly encouraged to bring your medical records from your primary care provider or mental health provider. If you have had recent lab work, please bring a copy of the results. There are some medical conditions that may require an assessment of labs prior to your first infusion and we will discuss this during your initial consultation.
For your comfort, you may bring items such as iPods, smartphones, tablets, and headphones. You will be in a private room setting during your infusion. Our goal is to make you feel at ease and comfortable before, during, and after your infusion treatment. Complimentary earplugs and eye covers are available for your use as well.
Most importantly, you will also need to bring a driver to all of your appointments.
It is possible to notice effects within 24 hours of a ketamine infusion. Many patients begin to benefit from symptom improvement within 2-4 hours, in some patients it may take up to 24-48 hours. You will fill out self-administered assessment questionnaires prior to each treatment. This will help us determine your response.
For mental health conditions, typically, within 2-3 infusions, you should know if ketamine will help you. Candidates for future treatments should feel less pain, more hopeful, less sad, decreased thoughts of suicide, increased calmness, or more inclined to engage with people. Additional improvements are often seen further into the course of treatment. If you are having positive results, it is recommended to have up to 6 total infusions within the first 2 weeks. After that, maintenance (booster) infusions may be scheduled to maintain response. The total length of treatment is highly dependent on each individual’s unique circumstances and results.
For chronic pain, most patients receive the best response from longer and higher dosed 2-hour or 4-hour infusions. For complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) formally known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), most patients respond best to a series of 5-10 four hour infusions administered daily or every other day. Each patient’s response to Ketamine infusion therapy for pain is varied and is difficult to predict. Depending on the length and number of infusions, patient’s can expect to receive anywhere from several days of reduced pain to as many as several months of reduced pain. Nearly all chronic pain patients report great reductions in pain during the infusion and for many hours after the infusion is complete. Each patient’s response after that period is highly variable and patient specific.
Currently, ketamine infusions are not covered by insurance. Our clinic does accept cash, credit cards, and our 0% no accural interest-free financing through Advanced Care.
Yes, we offer up to 14 months 0% interest-free financing through Advanced Care. The application takes less than 5 minutes and you will receive an immediate approval decision. Apply now by clicking this link.
If you do not qualify for the 0%interest free financing, we have other payment options available. If you need help, we are not in the business of turning patients away. We will help you get the care you need. Please call us at 319-849-8114.
At Midwest Ketafusion®️, we provide patients with the option of submitting reimbursement claims directly to their insurance providers using Reimbursify. CLICK HERE to file your claim quickly and easily.
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