Over the years, more people have been opting for ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine is increasingly being used for the management of mental disorders and chronic pain. Opioids are also commonly used to treat severe or persistent pain. However, sometimes, ketamine may be recommended over opioids. Read on to learn more about how ketamine infusion can help with your chronic pain.
Ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain
Ketamine was developed decades ago in the early 1960s. Since then it has been used as an anesthetic during surgery. Ketamine infusions have helped many patients deal with chronic pain. At lower doses, this medication is effective in providing pain relief.
Ketamine and opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs that are often prescribed for pain management. Opioids include both opiates like morphine and synthetic opioids, such as hydrocodone. Opioids are used by individuals with chronic headaches and backaches and by people recovering from surgery. These drugs are also ideal for severe pain linked to cancer. Sometimes, opioids are also used by people who have been injured playing sports or due to accidents.
Ketamine may be recommended for chronic pain management for a wide range of disorders. These include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), phantom limb pain and other neuropathic conditions. It can also be used to treat anxiety and depression. This is in the context of chronic pain. But as part of a multimodal approach, it is not regarded as the first or second choice in neuropathic pain. This is regardless of the cause.
The drug may have a role as an opiate adjunct when it comes to cancer pain. It can also be a treatment option for people who cannot tolerate opioids. It is ideal for people who have problems with opioid responsiveness. Ketamine can reduce the severity and incidence of the side effects of opioids. In many cases, it has proven to be a good alternative when opioid fails. Sometimes, when it is used, individuals even need less addictive pain medication like morphine.
Depression
Ketamine infusion treats chronic pain, which is a common problem in depressed patients. It is an effective and common treatment option for depression. It has been proven to have antidepressant effects in individuals with mood disorders. It can help treat multiple mental disorders, including major depressive disorder.
Sometimes, ketamine helps people manage depression when other treatments have not worked. If a patient responds to this drug, it can relieve many of the symptoms of depression. It often works faster than other treatments. Antidepressant medicines and other treatments often take weeks and, sometimes, even months to take effect. But ketamine’s effects on depression happen as the drug leaves the body.
Considerations
Ketamine is a good treatment option for severe pain. It can be used with opioids to provide pain relief, but, sometimes, it can be used on its own. But ketamine just like opioids has addictive properties. It is important to be aware of this when weighing the risks and benefits of ketamine. If you have a history of substance abuse, you should inform your psychiatrist. You and your doctor should discuss whether ketamine is a good option for you.
Get more information here: https://www.hopetmsofny.com or call Hope TMS and Neuropsychiatric Center at (646) 578-8152
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