What is Ketamine?

An anesthesia medicine developed over 50 years ago, Ketamine has been used during surgery for both children and adults. The World Health Organization has listed Ketamine as an essential medication for medical use worldwide. Ketamine induces both relaxation and pain relief, and health care teams frequently use it as a general sedative during medical procedures and surgeries.

Some may have heard that Ketamine is used as a “party drug” and worry about addiction potential. However, studies and clinical experience have found that there's virtually no potential for addiction or abuse with infusions considering the very low doses used in a medical setting, lack of access at home, and infrequent dosing.

What conditions does Ketamine treat?

Robust clinical research has revealed that Ketamine, when delivered in low doses over multiple infusion treatments, is a valuable, rapidly acting treatment for several chronic behavioral conditions, including:

• Unresponsive (refractory) major depressive disorder
• Bipolar depression, suicidal ideation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Migraine headaches
• Complex regional pain syndrome

People with uncontrolled blood pressure, unstable heart disease, untreated thyroid disease, active substance abuse, a current manic phase of bipolar disorder, or active psychotic symptoms (hallucinations or delusions) are not suitable candidates for Ketamine infusion treatments.

A few medicines can't be taken with Ketamine. For treatment planning purposes, please contact Dr. Kornreich’s office before your visit to discuss your current list of medications and possible drug interactions.

How does Ketamine work?

The relief Ketamine therapy provides often continues long after the short period that the small dose of Ketamine lasts in your body. Ketamine therapy acts on particular nerve cells in specific areas of your brain that regulate emotion and pain.

These nerves have high levels of a signal receptor, called NMDA, that is involved in the communication between nerve cells. Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, preventing the toxic effects of their excessive stimulation, and allows nerve cells to rest, grow larger, and increase the number of their connections to nearby nerve cells, called synapses.

Depression, pain, trauma, chronic stress, and other conditions result in damage to these communication systems in the brain. Ketamine helps restore synaptic connections and reconnect neural pathways, relieving the symptoms of numerous conditions related to injury in these areas of the brain.

Unlike selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and other antidepressants that can take months to become effective, the effects of a Ketamine treatment are often felt within hours.

How are infusions administered?

Therapeutic infusions at KetaMed Health & Wellness are customized for every individual. A board-certified anesthesiologist administers the treatment, delivered by a precise microprocessor-controlled programmable pump.

Infusions are administered in private rooms, thoughtfully designed to provide maximum comfort, minimal stimulation, and complete relaxation. When you receive infusion treatments, you remain awake and can move freely during treatment.

The KetaMed team of doctors and psychiatrists monitor the progress of the infusion and are on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the 40- to 60-minute treatment. Contact Dr. Kornreich’s office and schedule your appointment today.

Does Ketamine have any side effects?

The dose used for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders is small and safe. For a few minutes during the infusion itself, blood pressure and heart rate may increase. Your care team carefully monitors these vitals to ensure safety during treatment.

Following an infusion treatment, you may have feelings of tiredness. On rare occasions, some individuals may experience nausea. An antinausea medication can be administered if this is a factor. Side effects usually dissipate within a few hours and are completely gone by the following day. There are no long-term or permanent side effects with intravenous Ketamine infusion therapy.

What is ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine is an anesthesia approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the last decade or so, the drug has also been shown to be an effective treatment for conditions such as suicidal thoughts, depression, and PTSD.

At Ketamed Health & Wellness, Dr. Kornreich and his medical staff administer ketamine infusion therapy through an IV needle in your arm, in the comfort of a private treatment room. You can expect the treatment to take about an hour, and a family member can stay with you.

Is ketamine infusion therapy effective for suicidal thoughts?

Several studies on ketamine infusion therapy for treating suicidal thoughts have found the treatment to be effective. A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and published in December 2017 in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that ketamine was significantly more effective than another sedative in reducing suicidal thoughts in depressed patients.

Does ketamine infusion therapy have side effects?  

Ketamine infusion therapy does have some minor side effects. They can include feeling a little disoriented and an increase in blood pressure. However, these side effects dissipate within minutes to hours after treatment.   

How quickly does ketamine infusion therapy work to treat suicidal thoughts?

After the ketamine infusion therapy is over, you're likely to feel better quickly. The treatment has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts within hours. That’s significant because antidepressants — a common treatment for suicidal thoughts — can take weeks to become effective.

Before your treatment, Dr. Kornreich will talk to you about how you are likely to feel and answer any questions you may have. You can also follow up with Dr. Kornreich and his medical team with any questions following treatment.

How long do the effects of ketamine infusion therapy on suicidal thoughts last?  

Recent studies have found that ketamine infusion therapy can reduce or eliminate suicidal thoughts for up to six weeks after the treatment. Dr. Kornreich will talk to you about the right treatment schedule and frequency for you.

You don’t have to live with suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you love is thinking of suicide, call or book an online appointment today to discuss ketamine infusion therapy treatment with Dr. Kornreich.

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome, previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, is an intense pain typically involving an arm or leg.

It’s caused by increased levels of nerve impulses going to one area of the body, generally occurring after surgery, an injury, heart attack, or stroke. The pain resulting from CRPS is not in proportion to the original injury.

This dysfunction in the peripheral or central nervous system is most common in people age 20-35 and can also develop in children. Women are more likely to have CRPS than men. The condition may occur following an injury or may be the result of other conditions affecting the nervous system.

High emotional stress levels may also exacerbate CRPS.

Complex regional pain syndrome can be treated. Early treatment is demonstrably the most effective method for reducing pain levels, and some patients may even achieve remission.

What are the symptoms of CRPS?

Symptoms vary in type and severity. Pain typically worsens rather than getting better over time. If CRPS develops after an injury, the severity of the pain may be disproportionate to the severity of the injury. Other symptoms may include:

• Swelling or stiffness in joints
• Decreased mobility in the affected area
• Burning sensation or pain
• Unusual skin temperature (affected area may feel warmer or cooler than other parts of your body)
• Unusual skin color (pale or blotchy skin, red or purple)
• Change in skin texture

How do Ketamine infusions help with chronic pain?

Ketamine works to block the pain receptors that send your brain pain messages, allowing these sensitive receptors of pain to heal themselves, lose their sensitivity, and help you gain mobility and function previously restricted by pain.

Complex regional pain syndrome, which is not responsive to opioids and other pain medications, may respond to Ketamine infusions. Preliminary research indicates that Ketamine infusion treatment provides effective pain relief to patients with CRPS.

What causes migraines?

Specific changes in the brain cause migraines and certain other types of headaches. An imbalance of brain chemicals, especially serotonin, may also be to blame for the development of migraines. Migraines cause severe, throbbing or pulsating head pain, usually on one side of the head.

Migraine attacks can last for several hours to several days, causing a debilitating level of pain. Often developing in childhood or early adulthood, migraines may be caused by several factors including:

• Foods or food additives
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause
• Medications
• Stress
• Bright lights or sun glare
• Lack of sleep or getting too much sleep
• Physical exertion
• Change in weather

Those with a family history of migraine headaches may be more prone to the condition.

What are the symptoms of migraines?

Some migraine sufferers receive a warning before the onset of an attack, known as aura. These can be flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg.

Migraine symptoms may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Eye pain and blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Constipation
• Dizziness and weakness
• Confusion
• Mood changes

Sudden onset, severe headache pain may indicate more severe issues and requires emergency medical intervention.

Often, migraine sufferers will experience complications trying to treat the throbbing head pain. Abdominal issues, such as ulcers and abdominal bleeding or pain, are caused by taking over-the-counter pain relievers too frequently or in high dosages.

Migraine sufferers may also develop medication-overuse headaches when they take medications more than 10 days in a month for three months. Overusing medications results in a lack of pain relief and the development of overuse headaches.

How does Ketamine infusion therapy relieve migraines?

Open-label studies in the official journal of the American Pain Society indicate that hundreds of patients experiencing migraines, cluster headaches, and other chronic headache types have safely received Ketamine infusions in an outpatient clinic setting, resulting in effective pain relief.

The risk for Ketamine addiction is much lower compared to when opioids or narcotics are used to treat migraines. Ketamine is increasingly being used as an effective resource in pain management.

What is depression?

Depression is a medical illness affecting how you feel and think. Chronic feelings of sadness or low mood lasting for two weeks or more can indicate depression. It interferes with normal activities and can result in suicidal ideations.

People struggling with depression may have difficulty sleeping, low appetite, and an inability to concentrate and make decisions. Continually feeling sad and lacking energy leads to intense feelings of guilt and unworthiness.

What causes depression?

There are many causes of depression, some related to changes or dysfunction in the brain. Several factors may trigger it, including family history, and it occurs in both males and females of any age. Common triggers for depressive episodes may include:

• Genetics
• Trauma and abuse
• Death or loss
• Serious illness
• Medications
• Major life events or illnesses

How does Ketamine therapy address treatment-resistant depression?

Twenty years ago, modern medicine addressed depression with Prozac. While Prozac and similar selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were revolutionary, they worked slowly and with mixed effects, sometimes needing dosage and medication adjustments on a regular basis.

Those suffering from treatment-resistant depression spend weeks waiting for relief, only to find that SSRI’s and other medications don’t work for them.

Ketamine affects an entirely different neurotransmitter system, providing faster relief for chronic depressive patients who haven’t had successful treatment with SSRI’s and other antidepressants.

A single infusion of Ketamine can work as quickly as one hour after treatment. With a series of six treatments over two weeks, many patients have found prolonged relief from treatment-resistant depression.* A single infusion is administered every three to four months for maintenance.

This relief of symptoms allows a window of opportunity, free from symptoms of depression, to help employ wellness strategies, such as exercise, nutrition, psychotherapy, and other coping mechanisms to prevent the return of depressive symptoms.

* Individual results vary.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition where uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and behaviors disrupt daily living. Sufferers repeat compulsive behaviors over and over, affecting their relationships, work and school life, and other responsibilities.

Examples of common obsessions and compulsions include:

• Fear of germs
• Aggressive thoughts about self or others
• Unwanted thoughts about violence, sex, or religion
• Rearranging items in perfect order
• Chronic handwashing and cleaning
• Repeatedly checking on things (lights are off, doors are closed)
• Compulsive counting

Some people diagnosed with OCD experience a motor tic disorder. These sudden movements — such as eye movements, shoulder shrugging, or head jerks — are brief and repetitive. Vocal tics — including grunting or repetitive clearing of the throat — may also occur.

Symptoms of OCD may appear for a while and then go away, and they may ease or worsen over time.

What are the risk factors for OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects children and adults, typically diagnosed by age 19. Boys may experience an earlier onset of the condition than girls. Late onset, after age 35, is also possible.

Risk factors for developing OCD include:

• Genetics
• Brain functionality or structure
• Previous trauma (physical or sexual)

How can Ketamine infusion therapy treat OCD?

Ketamine eases obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in patients who constantly experience intrusive thoughts, and the drug’s benefits can last for one to two weeks. Ketamine treatment helps people with OCD control their thoughts and actions, freeing them to lead happier lives without obsessive worry and compulsive behavior.

Ketamine’s fast-acting symptom relief is significantly different from symptom relief in current first-line treatments for OCD. Patients wait six to 10 weeks to see clinical improvement with current treatments and may only experience a 40% to 60% reduction in symptoms.

Dr. Kornreich’s has extensive experience with Ketamine infusion therapy for OCD symptom relief. To schedule an appointment and learn more about the therapy’s benefits, contact KetaMed Health & Wellness today.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after a person has experienced a life-threatening event such as military combat, assault, or a car accident. Recurrent memories, anxious thoughts and feelings, and chronic insomnia may disrupt day-to-day activities.

While it’s natural to feel on edge following a traumatic event, lingering feelings for a few months and beyond may indicate PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder can happen to anyone following a traumatic event, especially following major trauma, such as sexual assault or intense combat.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may begin soon after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event but may also be delayed for months or years. Symptoms may appear and disappear throughout the years, but if they last longer than four weeks or begin to interfere with your daily life, your doctor may diagnose you with PTSD.

Common types of PTSD symptoms include:

Reliving events: nightmares or bad memories may appear, known as flashbacks
Avoiding similar situations: avoiding reminders of the event to prevent triggering memories
Negative thoughts and feelings: changes in how you feel about yourself and others, feelings of guilt or shame, loss of interest in favored activities, or the onset of fear of people or places due to trauma
Hyperarousal: jittery, on-edge feelings, difficulty concentrating and relaxing, insomnia, mood or behavior changes, angry outbursts, and violence

People with PTSD may be prone to feelings of hopelessness or despair, and depression and anxiety are common. They may also self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, have problems with relationships and employment stability, or experience chronic pain.

How does Ketamine infusion therapy treat PTSD?
Many patients with PTSD have found lasting relief through Ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine works to restore neural pathways broken by stress and repair connections in the brain damaged by the stress of terrible events.

You receive infusions under the careful watch of Dr. Kornreich and his staff, with dosage and number of treatments based on your specific needs. For help treating your PTSD symptoms, contact KetaMed Health & Wellness today to learn more about how Ketamine infusion therapy can ease your symptoms and restore your good health.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition of the musculoskeletal system, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and mood dysfunction.

It’s brought on by repeated nerve stimulation, which causes your brain structure to change. Certain brain chemicals increase to abnormal levels, causing the pain receptors in the brain to develop a hypersensitivity to nerve signals (hence the chronic pain that characterizes fibromyalgia).

Aside from widespread pain, fibromyalgia can also cause severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory problems, and mood issues. Individuals with fibromyalgia are often more sensitive to pain than those not suffering with the condition.

There are no tests available for diagnosing fibromyalgia, but most doctors arrive at the diagnosis when the patient experiences widespread pain for longer than three months. Other medical conditions which could cause the pain must first be ruled out before a fibromyalgia diagnosis is made.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of fibromyalgia often begin after a traumatic injury, surgery, or infection. Intense psychological stress can also trigger it. Women are more likely to be affected by fibromyalgia, but men also develop the condition.

Fibromyalgia may also trigger other painful conditions, including:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Painful bladder syndrome
• Temporomandibular joint disorders
• Migraines and other headaches
• Anxiety
• Depression

What are the risks for developing fibromyalgia?

Several factors influence your risk of developing fibromyalgia, including:

• Genetics: fibromyalgia tends to run in families due to possible genetic mutations, increasing your susceptibility
• Age: the majority of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are between the ages of 20 and 50
• Infections/illness: infections and other illnesses may trigger fibromyalgia or aggravate an existing condition, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Trauma: physical or emotional trauma can trigger the development of fibromyalgia; excessive psychological stress may also be a factor

How can Ketamine infusions help relieve fibromyalgia pain?

Research shows that Ketamine significantly reduces pain intensity during and after treatment when compared to morphine.

Massively overstimulated NMDA receptors are thought to be involved in pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia. Ketamine acts to reduce your central nervous system’s “hyperexcitability,” thereby decreasing sensitivity and creating relief from fibromyalgia pain.

Finding the right treatment for your fibromyalgia pain is only one appointment away. Contact Dr. Kornreich’s office today or book an appointment online to discuss pain relief options using Ketamine infusion therapy.