If you have just decided to use ketamine to overcome your treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, or chronic pain, you have just made a big step forward in your recovery. Before you receive your first infusion, keep the following things in mind to ensure you get the most from your treatment.
The day before you receive your first infusion, make sure you eat healthy and get a full night’s rest. By eating healthy, you can be sure that your body has enough fuel to handle what life throws at it. By respecting our circadian rhythm, and getting enough rest, you can be sure that your mind has had time to decompress and reorganize lingering thoughts from the day before.
Once you have done that, all that’s left to do is prepare yourself emotionally. It is important to remind yourself that no drug is—nor should be—a silver bullet. That means that any fully successful recovery, regardless of the illness, should also include an active participation by the individual. That usually means educating yourself about your illness, learning what you can do to avoid triggers, and remaining patient throughout your treatment process–avoid abruptly stopping treatment, and so forth. Remember that depending solely on the changes that a treatment produces is a recipe for disaster. Instead, if possible, use these treatments as a tool to make your transition to a healthier, happier life easier to accomplish—not the goal itself.
You may have to complete a short survey before, and perhaps after, each infusion. These are used to gauge your mental state, and to measure how effective the treatment is for your condition.
During your infusion, which usually lasts around 40 minutes, focus your mind on your recovery. Think about how this treatment will make it easier for you to overcome the obstacles that have remained in front of you for so long. If you are also receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, take this time to reflect on the things you have learned from the sessions. If you are dealing with physical pain, try to focus on the infusion entering your system, progressively relieving your body.
After about 30 minutes, you should begin to feel an improvement. For many who receive this treatment, this means having a weight lifted, or slowing down racing thoughts. When compared to the traditional approach, this is a significant improvement in a short period of time.
Following each infusion, you will be instructed to remain at the clinic for about two hours. This is to ensure that you have someone experienced nearby in case you experience euphoria, or similar side-effects. Most side-effects are non-threatening and include nausea or mild hallucinations, and generally wear off within two hours. If you experience nausea, let the doctor know—we are equipped to administer an anti-nausea medication along with your ketamine.
With the benefits of a single infusion lasting for many days or longer, you will not need to visit a clinic daily, weekly, or even monthly. However, after your initial series of 4-6 infusions, you may require occasional maintenance infusions at various times throughout the year.
Contact RestoratIV Wellness
If you are interested in learning more about ketamine infusions, and to discover if you are a candidate for this incredible treatment, please contact our professional staff. We are here to help and connect you with those who can help you start your journey towards wellness.
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