Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful, disabling neurological condition. Previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), it affects 1.2% of the adult chronic pain population. Women are affected more than men, with a 3:1 ratio. CRPS can develop after trauma, minor injuries, or surgery. The signs and symptoms are classically clustered into four groups.
Ketamine as a rapid antidepressant has been replicated in numerous studies. More recently, ketamine has been shown to help patients with obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment-refractory anxiety disorder (TRA disorder). However, some patients reported a recurrence of depressive or anxiety symptoms after a single treatment. This recurrence of symptoms leads to the question: How long can patients’ symptoms improve with repeated ketamine dosing in anxiety?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic disorder that arises after severely stressful events. PTSD is characterized by its disabling effects—hyperarousal, avoidance, and re-experiencing symptoms. Affecting an estimated 7.8% of the general population, PTSD is particularly diagnosed among people who have experienced interpersonal violence. Survivors who suffer from PTSD do not have many options in reducing PTSD symptoms, because few modern pharmacotherapies—treatments using drugs—are effective.
The unique story of ketamine began in 1956 with the synthesis of the drug, phencyclidine. Found to be a remarkable anesthetic for monkeys, phencyclidine was then used on humans after numerous animal testings. Unfortunately, the side effects that researchers observed in some patients were concerning. Instead of waking peacefully from anesthesia, some patients experienced acute emergence delirium lasting hours after their operation was over. They described feeling sensory deprived and the loss of sensations in their limbs. Further studies concluded that phencyclidine produced a sensory deprivation syndrome.
The key to providing outstanding service to our patients is to keep educated and up-to-date. This month, we got to do so at the inaugural conference of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians (ASKP) in Austin, Texas.
We learned a massive amount from leaders in the field of ketamine research and treatment at the conference. While we want to share it all, we kept it simple and are sharing 14 insights from this conference with you!
In our last post, we answered the question, “Is Ketamine Addictive?” Now, we want to share ketamine’s anti-addictive properties. In the past year, 20.2 million American adults (8.4%) had a substance use disorder. Addiction is frequently seen in conjunction with mood disorders and may actually be a form of self-medication in these patients. So can ketamine play a role in treating these patients, especially those with dual diagnoses?
Ketamine is revolutionizing treatment of pain, depression, and anxiety. However, it is most effective when viewed as a catalyst. It would simply be untrue to tell you that all you need is ketamine. Treatment of mood and pain disorders are complex, and ketamine is one part of the solution. Ketamine can absolutely help you get going in a way no other traditional treatment has done before. So once you receive your ketamine infusions, use this momentum for change! Here are to 5 ways to maximize your progress:
Ketamine is continuing to get the attention that it deserves. CNN recently ran a piece from Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, sharing about the life saving and rapid effect of ketamine in a man with suicidal ideation. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/03/health/ketamine-suicide-depression/index.html
Ketamine infusions are at the frontier of treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and pain disorders. And just like the pioneers of the Wild West, ketamine physicians are also trailblazers. Ketamine infusionists create their protocols based on studies and the responses of their patients to treatment. Since ketamine is still a relatively new treatment, researchers are still investigating the optimal dose and frequency.
Raise your hand if you like cleanliness or if you're against getting infections! Well if you raised your hand, you are in luck. We are excited to share another health property of ketamine you may not have been aware of. Ketamine is also an anti-microbial (aka kills or stops growth of microorganisms)!
Michael Pollan is known for writing books like The Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules, and In Defense of Food. However, in his most recent book he ventures into the uncharted territory of psychedelics, How to Change Your Mind.
Ketamine has a long track record being used as an analgesic for medical procedures. Historically, this medication was used to reduce peri-operative pain (pain before, during, and after a procedure). Now, ketamine is proving to be useful in treating daily chronic pain, unrelated to a medical procedures.
Imagine a lush green forest, filled with many trees with numerous branches. Now, imagine the opposite. The same trees, but instead brown and with branches falling off. These trees are now dying out. This forest is now sparse due to repeated fires, harsh weather, and pollution. The forest is functioning below what it could, and producing less oxygen and food for the creatures it protects.
