Ketamine infusions

I have always been open about my mental health journey, especially regarding medication and its role in keeping me sane. If reading about my journey helps even just one other person to not feel alone, it's worth the transparency.

But I felt like I had hit a roadblock that kept me from being my best self. I never cared for that phrase until I realized how close I was to being my best self. Long ago, before babies entered our plan, Porch and I had read many articles (ha) about ketamine being used to treat depression and how effective it was. We dreamed of one day being able to find such a treatment.

On a long car ride home from work one day, I heard an ad on the radio for a nearby clinic offering the treatment. When I got home, I pulled up the website and researched the clinic itself and the treatment again to see what I might expect. The next day, I consulted with the young woman, who agreed that this fit my needs well. Here's the kicker: you cannot drive after these treatments, and it's a series of six infusions. So SIX times, I needed to figure out transportation for myself and the girls.

David adjusted his cape and came to the rescue. I dropped the girls off at school, went home and worked normally, took an Uber to the appointment, and waited for David to pick me up. Together we picked up the girls from school & headed home. Rinse and repeat for two weeks on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedule.

I will never say that I am cured of my depression; instead, I prefer to say that I am in remission. The treatments were wildly successful & while some people never do another treatment, some do maintenance treatments. I'm open to either; I'm getting really good at listening to my body about what it needs and if things are working or if I just want people to think the strategies are working. For example, I took Sertraline for almost 5 years without question because it was supposed to make me not depressed. Our tests determined that this was a lie. I wasn't better. I was WILDLY depressed.

The treatment itself involves an IV infusion of the ketamine. I sat in a private, comfortable room with my headphone on. I found some great playlists for this, so I'd be happy to share if you ever seek this treatment. The music really made a difference. I was always given Zofran for nausea, a common side effect. I never experienced the nausea as a result. Once the IV was placed, I was off to la-la land. The session is about 90 minutes. After the very first treatment, I could feel a difference. Like someone was slowly removing the wall piece by piece until my brain was free. Listen, if you know me, you know what I'm about to say is a BIG DEAL. I cleaned the bathroom. From top to bottom, I super-cleaned it. And organized the countertop so that all the things weren't everywhere. But that's not it!! There's more!! It's still clean to this day!

Some treatments felt "trippy," and some weren't as interesting. After one of the appointments, I told David that I was pretty sure I had met God. I will never likely have the words to describe the entire experience beyond, "It changed me." 

I encourage you to do your research before making any major medical decisions. I am not a doctor. I am not giving medical advice. I'm simply sharing the story of my experience.

Speaking of medical decisions, come back next time for the dramatic revealing of my recent ADHD evaluation results. The results? Not surprising in the slightest.

Til then, take care of yourself & make good choices!

xo

Danie