Ketamine Infusion Therapy at Shrink Savannah
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Ketamine and Esketamine are NOT first-line treatments for depression. It's important to know these medications are pharmacological treatments for difficult depression cases. Treatment-Resistant Depression occurs when an individual has not clinically responded to antidepressant medications. Shrink Savannah's mental health team under the supervision of a Board Certified Psychiatrist, will help you determine if one of these treatments is right for you or your loved one.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medicine developed more than 50 years ago for anesthesia during surgery, and has been used for that purpose since that time in children, adults, and animals. More recently, ketamine has been found to be a valuable and highly effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and certain pain disorders.
What can Ketamine help?
Major depression, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder (bipolar depression), postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and addiction. At Shrink Savannah, we focus on treating mental health disorders with Ketamine infusion therapy.
Is Ketamine safe?
When ketamine is administered in a controlled medical setting by a properly trained physician using established methods, it is very safe. Ketamine is the only anesthetic that does not suppress the body’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It does have the potential to elevate heart rate and blood pressure, so the patient’s vitals are monitored during treatment.
Ketamine therapy at Shrink Savannah is administered under a board certified medical doctor’s supervision.
What to Expect During a Ketamine Treatment
How does it work?
During a ketamine infusion, patients are connected to an IV and a low dose of ketamine is administered for about 45-50 minutes.
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How do I prepare?
The day of your scheduled infusion or SPRAVATO treatment, we advise to refrain from eating or drinking within four (4) hours of your scheduled appointment. Water is fine to drink. Loose-fitting clothes are suggested for your comfort.
The treatment:
You will receive treatment in a private room. You may have a loved one or friend accompany you. A Shrink Savannah medical team member remains in the room with you throughout the treatment to ensure you are comfortable. As the ketamine is delivered at a low and controlled dosage, your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation are monitored. For your comfort, Shrink Savannah does have eye masks, ear plugs and blankets available. If there is anything we can do to help make your experience more comfortable, just let us know!
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Following your treatment:
For SPRAVATO treatments, there is a two-hour observation period for your safety. IV infusion patients have a minimal observation and recovery time period and are ready to leave our office soon after their treatment.
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You will not be able to drive for the rest of the day following a Ketamine infusion or SPRAVATO treatment. Please arrange for a trusted friend or family member to pick you up following your treatment. If you must use a ride-sharing service, Shrink Savannah recommends you have a friend or family member with you.
Are there side effects?
Some patients may experience dizziness, nausea, dissociation or fatigue during or following their treatment.
How soon will I experience results?
Following a Ketamine treatment, many people start to feel benefits within a few hours or the next morning. Some may take multiple treatments before the effects are experienced.
