What To Expect at Your First Ketamine Infusion

Ketamine infusion is a great way to treat depression and mood disorders that do not improve through other popular forms of treatment.

is a great way to treat depression and mood disorders that do not improve through other popular forms of treatment.

Since it is a relatively new form of treatment, many patients do not know what to expect on their first visit. Though you can rest assured the process is safe and painless. 

The ketamine infusion treatment process

It is helpful to know what to expect at your first ketamine infusion treatment. This can calm any anxieties you may experience and allow you to walk into the visit with confidence.

The following is a step-by-step process of the entire treatment process of ketamine infusion for depression treatment. 

The first meeting

On the first visit with a mental health professional, he or she is likely to ask a series of questions about current symptoms you experience, previous medical and treatment history and goals of treatment. Ketamine infusion is effective in many with depression and mood disorders. Many psychiatrists recommend ketamine infusions if other forms of treatment, such as antidepressants, were not previously successful.

The initial visit is also used to determine the specifics of the ketamine infusion, such as how much ketamine to administer on the first treatment. If both the patient and mental health professional agree to ketamine treatment, then a follow-up appointment is scheduled to start the treatment process. 

The first ketamine infusion

Each patient might have a slightly different experience, but most procedures are similar. The first thing that will happen is the doctor or nurse will set up the ketamine IV by placing a very tiny needle in a vein in the arm, which the patient will hardly feel. During the treatment, the medical professional will monitor the patient’s pulse, oxygen levels and blood pressure. Ketamine’s effects will make a patient feel pleasurable or disconnected from the world. This feeling happens as the medication works in the brain to help depression. Some patients report feeling nauseous, in which case the doctor or nurse can utilize an anti-nausea medicine. The medical professional will be there the entire duration of treatment to answer any questions or address any concerns the patient has during the process. 

After treatment

Once the procedure is over, the patient may still feel the effects of ketamine, although every patient responds differently. Most patients will require 30-45 minutes to recover from the effects of the medication. The patient will need to arrange a ride to and from the facility because it is unsafe to drive afterward.

Many who receive a ketamine infusion for the first time do not experience any side effects after the procedure is over. However, it is not uncommon to experience mild fatigue following the first treatment. The great thing about treatment is there are no notable ongoing side effects like traditional antidepressants may cause. 

Talk to a professional about ketamine infusion

Ketamine infusion is an effective way to reduce the symptoms of depression quickly. It often works when other forms of treatment, such as antidepressant medication, fail.

If you are interested in learning more about ketamine infusion, then reach out to us via phone call or email today. We will help you determine how ketamine infusion might help you treat depression, a mood disorder or another form of mental health condition, allowing you to feel your best each and every day.

Request an appointment here: https://futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Solutions at (803) 335-5232 for an appointment in our Columbia office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.