Ketamine Therapy in Virginia for Depression
Call 703-844-0184 for an immediate appointment for depression and anxiety Ketamine therapy in Northern Virginia or email us below:
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic agent since the early 1950's. It is used in humans and animals and is also known as 'Special K'. Ketamine is very safe with a high therapeutic margin, meaning large doses can be used with minimal respiratory complications. In fact the World Health Organization lists Ketamine as a necessary drug for the world for anesthesia purposes. Over the years of utilization of Ketamine, it was discovered that Ketamine had a unique ability to rapidly decrease depression, anxiety, PTSD, and pain.
What Conditions Does Ketamine Treat?
Ketamine has been effective in the treatment of:
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Pain
- Cancer Pain
- Cluster Headaches
- PTSD
- Post-Partum Depression
How Is Ketamine Therapy Administered?
Rapid treatment for mood and painful disorders is generally imitated with IV Ketamine. This works the fastest and insures steady-state levels in the blood stream. There are also nebulized, intranasal, and oral troche ketamine forms as well. We generally use intranasal and troche (lozenges) forms of Ketamine as initial or add-on therapy for depression, PTSD, and other conditions.
How Many Sessions of Ketamine Infusions Will I Need?
It depends on the condition and severity of illness. Generally for depression, a series of 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks is recommended for maximum impact. We recommend not more that 6 days apart. PTSD may require only two sessions a week apart. CRPS pain protocols require multi-hour infusions several days in a row.
How Rapid Does Ketamine Work For Depression?
Ketamine results are seen by the third infusion in those who respond. For those with response, the infusions may need to be repeated as a single infusion in the following sessions at any time after the series is completed. Some patients will notice improved mood the day after an infusion, yet for other, it may take a few infusions to start to break the depression cycle.
What is the Response Rate to Ketamine Infusion for Treatment Resistant Depression?
70% of all treatment resistant patients have a 50% improvement in their depression scores ( We use the Beck Depression Inventory and PHQ 9 to measure depression. ) We see many anxiety patient having slightly less improvement but still significant recovery.
How Long Do the effects of Ketamine Last for depression therapy?
This varies for each person. For some, the effects last for months, while for others, monthly or quarterly infusions may be needed to continue the effects. We utilize a home-based ketamine spray to help maintain the benefits of the infusions and avoid repeat infusions. Most patients should expect to have the need for an infusion every 2-3 months. This may seem like a lot, but if you feel awesome, the value of the treatment is priceless.
Is Ketamine Safe ?
The safety window for Ketamine is incredibly high - there is minimal risk with the dosing used in therapies for depression and anxiety. The main possible side effects include spasmodic bladder issues, elevated liver enzymes, dizziness, and nausea. Repeated Ketamine infusions have been shown to be safe.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
In Asian populations, Ketamine has been misused in the context of raves. There may be a preference to use the drug, but there is no withdrawal when one stops using it. True addiction to Ketamine is rare.
What does the Ketamine Infusion Feel Like?
Ketamine infusions vary from each infusion, with some being pleasant while others may be anxiety-provoking or sad. With re-direction or guided imagery, the infusion may be assisted in achieving goals of mindfulness or resolving an internal struggle. The main side effects of dizziness and nausea are prevented by the administration of Zofran prior to the infusion. Many patients are awake during the treatment, listening to ambient, soothing music that helps guide their visions. The infusion can be stopped at any time and the feelings go away within minutes. In general, most find the infusion to be amazingly pleasant and mood-lifting.
Can I start treatment with the Ketamine nasal spray?
Yes. The home-based nasal spray is effective as well, but not as rapidly as the infusions. The home-based ketamine spray is compounded in specialty pharmacies and the dosing pattern is determined by your condition. We use the spray or troches for the same conditions as the infusions. The spray works well in those with a fear of needle sticks. We do a consultation for both the spray or infusion to determine appropriateness. We use the nasal spray starting around the fifth infusion and thereafter to consolidate the gains from the infusion.
Does Insurance Cover Ketamine Infusions?
No, but some will cover some out of network expenses. This is generally done through a superbill in which the physician will outline the codes for the procedure that was done so it can be submitted for compensation. We do accept CareCredit, which is a medical credit card with 6 or 12 month interest free options.
How Much is A Ketamine Infusion?
Each infusion costs $480 and lasts for about 50 minutes I tell everyone to expect a 2 hour total time in the office. Remember you cannot drive for 6 hours after the use of the Ketamine. Infusions for CRPS last about 4 hours and cost around $1600. The consultation fee prior to the infusions are $350.
What other therapies are available for depression and Anxiety treatment?
We also utilized dextromethorphan therapy and scopolamine for depression and anxiety treatment. They are both highly effective. They behave as a rapid depression reversal agent, with dextromethorphan acting on the NMDA receptor, whereas the scopolamine, given IV or oral, works on the cholinergic system. We also use nutritional supplements to add into your treatment.
What disqualifies me from Ketamine Treatments?
Allergies to Ketamine, active hear disease and liver disease prevent us from treating individuals with Ketamine. Also if there is a history of psychosis or schizophrenia , then Ketamine should not be used. Ketamine works less well once you are over 50 years old as the depression and mood may be a result of early dementia in some individuals. Neuropsychiatric testing works well to evaluate for this. We still use Ketamine in patients as old as 90 years old and as young as 15.
Can adolescent patients receive Ketamine?
Yes, we infuse children as young as 15 with excellent results. Ketamine is very helpful in perimenstrual dysphoria and dysmenorrhea.
A few notes:
Ketamine works at the neurplasticity level in the brain, ramping up the reward pathways and down-regulating anti-reward pathways. It cannot change your personality or your boss or significant other. External stressors don't respond to medication and will still be there after the therapy, however, with better mood, your coping skills will improve dramatically.
How do I get started with Ketamine therapy?
That is the easy part: just call 703-844-0184 and make an appointment, or email us below. We have immediate appointments available and No Referral is needed.
