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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on March 23, 2013, at 11:31:14
For those interested, I see a compassionate and caring pdoc who manages meds, does Ketamine IM shots and also uses TMS. Dr. Edward Fruitman is located in downtown Manhattan and also has an office in Long Island. Google him. He's the first pdoc in a while who's given me hope and didn't say he couldn't help me. Small words, big impact. And his ketamine shots pulled me out of a bad depressive period.
There's also Dr. Glen Brooks, while not a pdoc, a very caring, helpful and very seasoned anesthesiologist who performs ketamine infusions for depression and pain. He, too, is in Manhattan in midtown east.
It seems both docs are the only ones in the NYC area doing ketamine. I can't stress how positive the experience is with both docs. They are knowledgeable and sympathetic.
They both see patients from the tristate area and way beyond. I highly recommend both.
B
Posted by cassandracomplex on March 26, 2013, at 9:04:36
In reply to Ketamine in the tri-state area, posted by brynb on March 23, 2013, at 11:31:14
Can you describe what the experience was like? Did the effect wear off when you were finished (and, if so, how long did it last), like with other biological treatments or like if you stop taking an antidepressant?
I used Ketamine recreationally, back in college and I'm happy on my Parnate now so I doubt I'll ever use it for depression in the future but I am curious.
Posted by brynb on April 3, 2013, at 16:04:16
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area, posted by cassandracomplex on March 26, 2013, at 9:04:36
The experience is intense and rather euphoric but I generally like it. It's been a bit up and down for me, though. It helps with mood for sure, but I'm not sure if it's great with stability and irritability, and issue of mine.
-b
Posted by Englishman006! on April 6, 2013, at 4:32:28
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area » cassandracomplex, posted by brynb on April 3, 2013, at 16:04:16
Hi brynb, glad it's working for you!I have a few questions, hope you don't mind. Do you know whether tolerance can become an issue? Have they had many patients on it long term? Also, is the whole dose administered at once or over a longer period? There is a research trial taking place near me and I'm hoping to take part!
Thanks ahead
Shaun.
Posted by brynb on April 6, 2013, at 6:21:11
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area » brynb, posted by Englishman006! on April 6, 2013, at 4:32:28
> Hi brynb, glad it's working for you!I have a few questions, hope you don't mind. Do you know whether tolerance can become an issue? Have they had many patients on it long term? Also, is the whole dose administered at once or over a longer period? There is a research trial taking place near me and I'm hoping to take part!
> Thanks ahead
> Shaun.Hi Shaun,
It initially helped my mood greatly but I'm afraid it's not as effective anymore (it pulled me out of a bad episode but I recently had a setback and I'm far from remission).
As for tolerance, I usually build up a quick one, but it's not really the case with Ketamine. If you do the IV infusion, the entire dose is administered in a drip over 40 minutes. If you receive IM injections (which are actually more intense feeling than the infusion), your doses are given in a series of 3 separated by about 15 minutes apart. I'm up to about 100 mg over 40 minutes.
While it was initially great for my mood, I'm finding it not so good for mood stability. I also think I'm more Bipolar 2 than Unipolar, and though my pdoc swears it's just as good at treating both types of depression, I think it can exacerbate bipolar symptoms like irritability and restlessness.
That said, it did initially help me and I think if you have access to a trial or doc who does it, it's worth a try. I'm not sure how many patients stay on it for maintenance, but my pdoc's protocol goes from a few days a week, to once a week, to once every 10-14 days, to about once a month. I don't see it as a sustainable long term option though.
That's just from personal experience. Good luck if you're accepted for the trial!
-b
Posted by Meltingpot on April 11, 2013, at 14:38:59
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area » brynb, posted by Englishman006! on April 6, 2013, at 4:32:28
Hi,
Are you anywhere near Oxford by any chance and ae you referring to the KITE study. I tried to get on the trial but they said I wasn't eligible so now I'm thinking of going to New York to try it.
Going to try ECT first though.
Denise
Posted by Englishman006! on April 29, 2013, at 2:46:05
In reply to To Englishman, posted by Meltingpot on April 11, 2013, at 14:38:59
Hi Michelle, no I'm not near oxford, I'm actually in Melbourne Aus! Moved here in 2000. I am originally fro Portsmouth, Hampshire. I didn't manage to get on the Ketamine trial because of co-morbidity. Let me know how you go with the ECT or Ketamine, I'd be interested to know.
Regards
Shaun
Posted by Englishman006! on June 26, 2013, at 0:29:22
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area » Englishman006!, posted by brynb on April 6, 2013, at 6:21:11
> > Hi brynb, glad it's working for you!I have a few questions, hope you don't mind. Do you know whether tolerance can become an issue? Have they had many patients on it long term? Also, is the whole dose administered at once or over a longer period? There is a research trial taking place near me and I'm hoping to take part!
> > Thanks ahead
> > Shaun.
>
> Hi Shaun,
>
> It initially helped my mood greatly but I'm afraid it's not as effective anymore (it pulled me out of a bad episode but I recently had a setback and I'm far from remission).
>
> As for tolerance, I usually build up a quick one, but it's not really the case with Ketamine. If you do the IV infusion, the entire dose is administered in a drip over 40 minutes. If you receive IM injections (which are actually more intense feeling than the infusion), your doses are given in a series of 3 separated by about 15 minutes apart. I'm up to about 100 mg over 40 minutes.
>
> While it was initially great for my mood, I'm finding it not so good for mood stability. I also think I'm more Bipolar 2 than Unipolar, and though my pdoc swears it's just as good at treating both types of depression, I think it can exacerbate bipolar symptoms like irritability and restlessness.
>
> That said, it did initially help me and I think if you have access to a trial or doc who does it, it's worth a try. I'm not sure how many patients stay on it for maintenance, but my pdoc's protocol goes from a few days a week, to once a week, to once every 10-14 days, to about once a month. I don't see it as a sustainable long term option though.
>
> That's just from personal experience. Good luck if you're accepted for the trial!
>
> -b
>brynb are you or were you taking Lamotrigine during your trial with Ketamine?
Posted by brynb on June 27, 2013, at 2:13:36
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area, posted by Englishman006! on June 26, 2013, at 0:29:22
>
> brynb are you or were you taking Lamotrigine during your trial with Ketamine?hi-
no. I've never been on lamictal for more than a short period--it's not a good med for me. also, ketamine didn't turn out to help me in the long term.
b
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:16:08
In reply to Re: To Englishman » Meltingpot, posted by Englishman006! on April 29, 2013, at 2:46:05
They want to try this to a fellow hospital patient if Saroten and Abilify wont work out. They want to try this before MAOI and after ECT, which i dont really understand at all. I dont want to start a riot here, so im not telling her, but i think this is a treatment mistake.
Her memory seems to be pretty impaired or even damaged and while ECT helped initially, none of that lasted.
She had one severe manic phase, but is so depressed that they are considering all this. I hope this wont send her manic, but she will be here for a long time anyway and they need to get her out from the deep.
Id try Ketamine first really if you have the choice, it can make you psychotic but it cant permanently damage your memory as far as i know!
Bought a home she hates and sent her husband to another woman while manic. OUCH!
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:23:41
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area, posted by Englishman006! on June 26, 2013, at 0:29:22
Id say know what youre in for before either Ketamine or ECT!
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:37:01
In reply to Re: To Englishman, posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:16:08
As a layman, i would deem the potential damage from psychosis to be less severe than memory loss. Just my 2 cents. You should talk to your doctor about this.
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:47:03
In reply to Re: Ketamine in the tri-state area, posted by Englishman006! on June 26, 2013, at 0:29:22
Its pretty obviously a mistake to do that isnt it? The docs have insurance to pay for this...
Should i tell her? She very much appears to have memory damage (...) This is some ol BS!!
Posted by Englishman006! on July 5, 2013, at 21:50:16
In reply to Re: To Englishman, posted by Lamdage22 on July 5, 2013, at 15:16:08
> They want to try this to a fellow hospital patient if Saroten and Abilify wont work out. They want to try this before MAOI and after ECT, which i dont really understand at all. I dont want to start a riot here, so im not telling her, but i think this is a treatment mistake.
>
> Her memory seems to be pretty impaired or even damaged and while ECT helped initially, none of that lasted.
>
> She had one severe manic phase, but is so depressed that they are considering all this. I hope this wont send her manic, but she will be here for a long time anyway and they need to get her out from the deep.
>
> Id try Ketamine first really if you have the choice, it can make you psychotic but it cant permanently damage your memory as far as i know!
>
> Bought a home she hates and sent her husband to another woman while manic. OUCH!Ketamine when given in such low dose via intramuscular injection will have minimal side effects. Perhaps some very mild dissociation but this is not common. ECT has the potential to cause far more serious side effects, namely those associated with memory loss and cognition. I agree with you, the safer option appears to be Ketamine IM.
This is the end of the thread.
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