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Ketamine Treatment for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is very complicated & can impair people's ability to function & enjoy life (2),

often causing other issues that include depression,

trouble concentrating, low energy levels, difficulty sleeping,

inability to work, & an overall decrease in enjoyment of life (7).

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Ketamine Infusion Therapy is NOT a first-line treatment

for chronic pain.

However, it is very effective in patients who aren't getting enough relief from their current treatment approaches, or who wish to reduce their opioid intake.

 

Over 20% of Americans (that's 50 million people) have chronic pain (pain that persists for over 3 months), with 20 million experiencing High-Impact Chronic Pain (pain that limits life or work activities). (4)

More Americans suffer from chronic pain than from diabetes, heart disease,

& cancer combined. (7)

Some chronic pain sufferers have to make major life changes

in order to accommodate their pain, with about 50 million Americans are on partial or total disability. (8)

Nearly 1/3 of Americans know someone who either is, or has been, addicted to prescription pain killers. (1)

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Between 21%-29% of those prescribed opioids misuse them, & about 5% of that group will transition to heroin. (3)

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Many pain specialists are turning to ketamine infusions as a way to help reduce their patients' chronic pain without the use of opioids. (5)

IS KETAMINE INFUSION THERAPY RIGHT FOR ME?

Ketamine Infusion Therapy has been shown to help those with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS),

Chronic Migraines, Phantom Limb Pain, Diabetic Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia,

& other chronic pain issues. (6)

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There is no difference in the effectiveness of ketamine therapy based on age, gender, or race.

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Although we do not require a referral from a physician in order to offer ketamine treatment, we do require paperwork (History & Physical) from a provider, including your diagnosis & treatments that you've tried. 

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Although Ketamine Infusion Therapy is safe for most people, there are a few conditions that may prevent one from being a good candidate to receive ketamine infusions: 

  -  We do not use ketamine infusions for patients who are pregnant.

  -  We do not use this therapy for those with schizophrenia.

  -  Hypertension should be optimized to reduce the risk of adverse effects.

  -  Sleep apnea should be treated in order for ketamine infusions to be optimized.

  -  If one has Interstitial Cystitis (IC) we highly recommend a visit to your urologist to determine if they wish to perform a cystoscopy prior to initiating ketamine infusion therapy.  Additionally, we have a protocol that we follow for IC patients; we will share that with you during our consultation.

  -  Anyone with a history of chronic liver disease will need labwork done prior-to & periodically during ongoing ketamine infusions.

  -  Use of benzodiazepines (valium, ativan, xanax, klonopin) may reduce the effectiveness of ketamine infusions. These medications should be reduced or discontinued for a day or two prior to treatment; please consult with your current provider to obtain their recommendations.

  -  Ketamine infusions may be helpful in those with alcohol and/or drug abuse, but will need more attention than just ketamine therapy.  If you have either of these issues, we need to help you find a counselor or therapist as you begin ketamine infusion therapy.

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