The Ketamine Infusion Treatment Process
At Texas Ketamine Specialists, located in the Dallas, Plano and Richardson, Texas area, our patient’s safety and understanding are central to our work towards their well-being. All patients will receive a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation prior to ketamine therapy, during which all concerns and questions will be fully addressed.
Once suitability for treatment has been identified by a board-certified psychiatrist, we’ll begin ketamine infusion therapy. The majority of patients experience an improvement in symptoms within minutes or hours. For this majority, the completion of a “stabilization phase” is recommended. That means six to eight additional ketamine infusions over the course of several weeks. At the end of this course, the patient begins a “maintenance phase” where booster infusions can be administered to prolong effectiveness, according to each patient’s unique symptoms.
What to Expect during Ketamine Therapy Treatments
Texas Ketamine Specialists provides private infusion areas for each patient, with their comfort in mind. All patients can have a family member or friend present during therapy if desired. Patients will have their vital signs continuously monitored by qualified medical professionals. An anesthesiologist will be immediately available at all times. Some patients prefer to listen to music on their headphones, watch a show or take a nap. Others may find it more difficult to hold a conversation or follow a story and will choose to focus on their own thoughts and feelings.
Once an IV is started, each ketamine infusion lasts approximately 40 minutes. During the infusion, a variety of sensations may occur including euphoria, feelings of mild intoxication, dream-like sensations, blurring of vision, or light and sound sensitivity. Some patients may experience headache, nausea or elevated blood pressure. Medication will be readily available for treatment, should this occur. Once ketamine therapy has stopped, patients will have a short recovery period, during which they will notice a rapid reduction in any symptoms. The entire process takes about 90 minutes. Once the infusion is over, patients will need a ride home as they may feel light-headed or dizzy.
When Does Ketamine Therapy Begin Working?
It has been shown that patients may begin feeling better within the first few hours following the very first treatment. Thoughts of suicide and self-harm are typically alleviated first, followed by a decrease of hopelessness and dread. Patients often report significant improvement of symptoms after only 1-2 ketamine infusions. If ketamine therapy is effective, patients will follow treatment protocols put in place by Texas Ketamine Specialists.
Am I a Candidate for Ketamine Infusion Treatments?
After an initial evaluation, patients will be informed if they are a candidate. There are certain medical conditions that will exclude a patient as a safety precaution, such as:
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease
- Urinary incontinence, urgency or pain
- Interstitial cystitis
- Significant medical illness
- Psychosis, schizophrenia or current mania
- Active substance abuse
- Seizure disorder
- IV access difficulty
To learn more about the ketamine infusion treatment process, or if you live in the Dallas, Plano and Richardson, Texas area and would like to determine if you are a candidate for ketamine therapy, please contact the office of Texas Ketamine Specialists today.
