I was recently made aware of this drug for uses other than animal tranquilizer and street drug, by my roommate, who's said he knows ppl who've taken it thru iv for ptsd and pain, even neuropathy pain. And that for them it's a lifesaver.
It's new to me, but seems from an article re it and depression, that it binds to glutamate receptors.
I know glutamate and glutamine can be an issue for some people. It's why I only have bone broth twice a week tops, out of fear my pain will get worse (I really wish I knew one way or the other whether I can have it! I'm guessing with every aspect of my infections bc nothing seems to work and no reliable testing. Getting old.)
Well, has anyone tried ketamine for pain? Is it dangerous? I'm Verrrry wary of using drugs, as I'd rather use natural means and herbs. And would the glutamate thing be an issue?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- What is your current type of magnesium? How many times a day at what dose?
For us, yes, too much glutamate can be toxic and damaging to the brain / nerve fibers. Details below. And magnesium is the best agent to help again glutamate over stimulation:
for those with neurological issues such as lyme, etc., be very careful with any supplementation of glutamine . . . even with bone broth.
Meat is fine - be sure to get good meat fat, too, as that helps to heal nerves .... and combined, offers the most balanced approach so that nothing in it is out of balance. But, in bone broth, the glutamine can be very high.
The best cut of beef, most affordable I've found is beef chuck roast, with a good amount of connective tissue to it.
Here's why: too much concentrated glutamine can damage our nerve cells because of the myelin sheath compromise lyme causes.
It can also lower the seizure threshold severely. I found that out the hard way, over and over as it was not clear to me until I stumbled upon the articles in set below.
It can also make anxiety zoom to the moon. Same with tinnitus.
See post: Caution: Aspartate; Glutamine; and Phenylalanine (3 excitatory amino acids that can be wrong for us when added as supplements, beyond a normal dietary level)
Seaweed has its own natural MSG (monosodium glutamate) and can be very excitatory -
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
My pain management specialist recommended this for me 6 months ago.
It is a commitment and it's very expensive. I did not try it so I can't answer your questions. I can tell you what my protocol would have been.
First, I would have to travel 2 hours to the Ketamine infusion clinic. The first week I would be required to have 4 infusions as a loading dose. If I responded (pain lessens), I would be put on a maintenance of 1 infusion every 4 weeks.
Each infusion cost 500.00, not insurance covered.
Side effects during the 30 minute infusion are disassociation, not aware of your body and light sensitivity. As I have to be in control, my anxiety would be a major issue, as is the price.
I hope someone posts about their experiences. I also have heard that ketamine really works.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I've done it. I'll post when I have time; it's a big subject. $$ is a big issue, but not the only one. It has helped some people a lot, others not so much.
Posted by 6Hypnone (Member # 47629) on :
To answer keebler---glycinate. It's supposed to be easiest on the gut and for nerve issues, though dunno if it helps in the latter. Taking 600, divided into twice daily (3 pills, 2 pills). I tried 6 pills but got bad diarrhea, however I also had very spicy curry a day before...so my guess is the curry.
The study I read was for depression--it was a nasal spray. I dunno if the IV for pain is a different form of it, eg, not glutamate bonding.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Doctors are really cutting back on prescription meds for pain. That and the cost would keep me away.
Thankfully, my pain is manageable.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
When it's used for pain, it's for severe nerve pain, which is quite different from musculoskeletal pain. It's used for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which used to be called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. That's catastrophic pain, "the suicide disease."
It's given IV. Also, it can be compounded an taken orally, which is quite a different usage than IV. The IV for CRPS is a totally different protocol than what is used for depression.
Posted by 6Hypnone (Member # 47629) on :
Yah mine's for nerve pain. Mostly in my toes, though I've had it in my fingers. Shocks, electricity, zaps, lightning, stabs. It's the only symptom that made me think of driving into a lamppost at 55 mph. I'm sick of just 'waiting it out'. I've done that for over 3 years. Enough. Enough!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
That's awful to have so much pain.
Go for it.
I just don't trust doctors to keep it going.
Posted by 6Hypnone (Member # 47629) on :
Its not constant, thank the lord. And I guess it's common. But I dunno if its from mold, lyme, other, a combo.... I'm just sick of it. It's probably the main thing that keeps me from working.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
You probably know this but I thought of you when I read it;
Bonnie---I haven't seen this page specifically, but I know some of this. I'm on some of it already. I'll bring this up to my lyme doc. They're running about 20 tests to get a new baseline. 600 but worth it if it helps. He wants to get to the very very beginning/core of why this is happening to me.