Depression can be very difficult on you, as it can make you very tired all the time, affect your sleep, make you lose interest in things you love, and much more. If you have depression, and the medications the doctor is giving you are not working, things may seem hopeless to you. Fortunately, you have other options to help, one of which is ketamine IV infusion. Below is more information about this treatment, so you can determine if you would like to try this for yourself.
Ketamine IV Infusion
Ketamine IV infusion is a generic drug that some doctors are using to treat depression that is resistant to medications. This therapy should be provided to you by a doctor to ensure that you get the proper dosage.
Antidepressants increase the serotonin that is in your brain. Serotonin is what helps even out your moods and prevents depression. Ketamine IV infusion works differently, as it does not affect your serotonin levels, but repairs damage that may be in your brain causing your depression. You could have this damage due to using different drugs, such as cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes proteins in your brain to build up. These proteins can block antidepressants from working.
How Ketamine IV Infusion Therapy Works
Ketamine therapy is administered through an IV infusion. There are also nasal sprays that can be used for this type of therapy, but IV infusion is the most common method used.
The doctor administers the ketamine through an IV that goes directly into your bloodstream. You will have to have a series of infusions done in order for this therapy to work properly. You will start to feel a difference not long after getting the first infusion. After the first stage of this therapy, your doctor may recommend a certain number of infusions per week. How long this lasts will depend on you and your reaction to the ketamine.
Side Effects of Ketamine IV Infusion
Just like with antidepressant medication, there are side effects that you may or may not have. You may feel drowsy when first starting this therapy, but this should go away as your body adjusts.
You may also have problems with your vision, such as blurred or double vision. This can happen on and off. For example, you may notice vision problems not long after your therapy session, but your vision will come back to normal within a few minutes or hours. Dizziness is also a symptom that you will feel at times. Loss of appetite is another side effect some people have.
In most cases, side effects do not last a long time, and they far outweigh the benefit you will get with ketamine IV infusion therapy.
Your doctor can give you much more information about this type of IV infusion therapy.
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