What Is The Difference Between Bipolar 1 & 2?
May 31, 2024
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Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used on both humans and animals for over 50 years. In the last decade, a great deal of clinical research has been conducted by leading institutions all over the world proving intravenous ketamine’s efficacy and safety in the treatment of major depression, bipolar depression, PTSD and severe anxiety as well as certain pain disorders. These studies regularly report a 70% success rate or higher. Yale University, The Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai Medical School, The National Institute of Mental Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, and The Black Dog Institute are just a few of those institutions who have conducted studies. Giving ketamine intravenously is the only method of administration that has been clinically proven to be effective and thus the only method currently used by Dr. Prashad. For some patients, ketamine infusion therapy is quite simply life changing and unlike any other treatment currently available given its rapid, robust effects and lack of side effects between treatments.
Below is a graph charting the response in an actual patient receiving ketamine infusions. This patient reported symptoms consistent with severe depression prior to treatment. At the completion of 6 infusions, he reported minimal depressive symptoms. This was over a period of less than 2 weeks.
You may be a candidate for ketamine infusions if you suffer from depression, certain anxiety disorders, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) This includes major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, and postpartum depression. Patients with recurrent thoughts of suicide, who need immediate mood stabilization, will often benefit from ketamine infusion therapy. For patients who have been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression, anxiety or PTSD and have not found relief with oral medications, ketamine may be an especially beneficial treatment. Some patients who wish to avoid side effects associated with more traditional treatments may also desire ketamine treatment. Dr. Prashad will evaluate your symptoms and treatment history to determine if you are a candidate for ketamine treatment.
You will receive your infusion in a private room with full heart and vital signs monitoring by Dr. Prashad. An IV will be placed and the appropriate dose of ketamine will be administered over a 40 min time frame. Dr.Prashad will remain in the room during your treatment to monitor both your tolerance and response to the treatment. This will help her to titrate the dose that will be most effective for you. Most patients report a relaxing and peaceful experience. You will remain awake during the infusion. Patients will also notice changes in their vision, a feeling of “lightheadedness” or “floating.” Many also report feeling somewhat disconnected and having slower thoughts. Most people can expect to be at the office for a total of 90 minutes with no side effects when discharged and none between treatments. You will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your infusion. They do not need to stay with you during you entire infusion.
Yes, we offer a concierge service for out of town and international patients. This service includes transportation to and from the airport and your clinic visits by a private, luxury transportation service. We will also arrange for accommodations for you and a trusted friend or family member that will be caring for you. We can also arrange for translators as needed. We know that traveling as a patient can be difficult, and we will do our very best to make it a positive, stress-free experience. Driving in from Dallas, Austin or San Antonio, we extend the same concierge service for accommodations and transportation to and from the clinic.
No, you do not need a referral for ketamine treatment. If you already have a psychiatrist, Dr. Prashad will serve as a consulting physician in your care and you will continue your ongoing treatment with your current psychiatrist.
Ketamine is absorbed by the body very differently and unreliably when taken orally or nasally and has not been shown to be as effective for depression. It is also difficult to get the levels high enough for the treatment to be effective when administered orally or nasally.
Uncontrolled blood pressure, unstable heart disease, untreated thyroid disease, active substance abuse, current manic phase of bipolar disorder, or active psychotic (hallucinations or delusions) symptoms.
There are very few medicines that cannot be taken in combination with ketamine. For treatment planning purposes, please contact us with any questions regarding interactions between your current medications and ketamine. Dr. Prashad will address any changes that need to be made at the time of your consultation.
Typically, it will take just 1 or 2 infusions to know if ketamine will help you. If you are having positive results, it is recommended to have 6 total infusions within the first 2 weeks. After that, maintenance infusions may be scheduled to maintain response, usually after 3-5 weeks after completing the initial series of 6. The total length of treatment is highly dependent on each individual. A series of 6 infusions may last anywhere from weeks to months, and often a single booster infusion when effects are wearing off can restore response. There is research to suggest that in order for the effects of ketamine to be sustained, a maintenance regimen is needed. For those who have not had long-standing chronic depression, it may last much longer than that.
Approximately 70-80% of patients respond to ketamine infusions.
Currently ketamine infusion therapy is NOT a covered benefit by any insurance plan since it’s an off-label use of this medication. We can only accept cash or credit cards. We cannot accept checks. We require payment at the time of treatment. Financing is available to those who qualify.
Each infusion is $650. If a series of 6 is completed, the sixth infusion will be provided at a 50% discount
It is our goal for you to begin treatment within a few days of your call.
Studies at the National Institutes of Mental Health, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and Yale have shown significant benefit with the use of low-dose ketamine infusions for depression.
With a special interest in treatment-resistant disorders, Dr. Sandhya Prashad works closely with each patient, taking the time to understand their overall health and well-being so she can develop a truly customized treatment plan.
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