Your first ketamine session is likely to be more comfortable, and you’ll be more prepared for what to expect. Having information about what to eat, which medicines to talk about, how to arrange for transportation and what to expect after will help make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is experienced as a component of customized psychiatric services at Orlando Premier Psychiatry, prioritizing your objectives, ongoing drugs, and health records, while ensuring your comfort. By knowing the process of preparation, you can better equip yourself to ask questions and make decisions when seeking psychiatrists in your area.
Key Takeaways
- Follow Food and Drink Guidelines given by psychiatric care team.
- Let your psychiatrist know about any drugs, supplements, alcohol or recreational substances that you take.
- Arrange for a reliable ride home prior to appointment.
- Do not drive, work with machinery or make major decisions after a ketamine session.
- Allow time for recuperation following the session.
- Never stop taking prescription drugs without the advice of your psychiatrist.
If you are going for your first ketamine assisted therapy session, ask questions first to see what you can expect.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
The Ketamine assisted therapy is a combination of Ketamine administration with supportive psychiatric care. Ketamine may alter how you see, feel, experience thoughts and emotions for a temporary time.
Ketamine is administered as an infusion or other form that has been prescribed by the person’s physician, depending on the individual’s needs and the treatment plan chosen by the psychiatric treatment team. Your response is observed during a session, and you can count on assistance throughout the session.
Research and professional advice are ongoing in the field of the use of ketamine for treating people suffering from various psychiatric issues and mood disorders. This is because the reactions are different, so an individual assessment is essential prior to starting.
If you are looking into options such as psychiatry Orlando, psychiatry Orlando FL or psychiatry in Orlando, the initial course of action should be an honest dialogue with the individual regarding the signs, past medications, health history, and personal objectives.
Who May Benefit From Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine assisted therapy could be an option for others that do not get sufficient benefit from traditional treatment for depression or other psychiatric issues.
Is not suitable for all. A psychiatric evaluation may uncover potential risks, drug interactions, high blood pressure, substance use risk, and other issues which could impact suitability of ketamine.
Your psychiatrist will ask you about:
- Present and previous psychiatric drugs
- Physical health conditions
- Blood pressure history
- Past responses to other drugs
- Drinking/using recreational drugs.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of previous use of ketamine
According to Cleveland Clinic, there are temporary side effects that can include dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, elevated blood pressure or detachment.
What to Expect Before Your First Ketamine Session
In the first appointment, the medication should not be given, but rather a detailed conversation should take place.
You will be asked questions regarding your symptoms, medical history, medications, supplements, allergies, drug or alcohol use, and past psychiatric treatment. Your psychiatric team can also tell you what ketamine is, what you might experience during and after, how long it will take you to feel better and what you can expect to do once you’re better, and what safety measures you must take.
It’s also a time to ask questions.
For example:
- What is the estimated time of my appointment?
- Do I need to fast?
- Will I be able to continue taking my usual drugs?
- Who will take me home?
- How much time should I take off after?
- What symptoms do I have to report?
When considering the ketamine infusion Orlando services, inquire about the method of the infusion and how you’ll be monitored during and following the infusion.
How to Prepare for Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
Preparing for Ketamine Assisted Therapy begins the day before the treatment.
First, do exactly what your psychiatrist says. Directions for eating and drinking, taking medicine, and getting to and from the hospital may depend on the type of ketamine that is used and your own health situation.
If possible, have a good night’s sleep. You don’t need to develop a complex routine. It’s enough to have a normal evening, comfortable clothes and a calm morning.
Make a travel schedule prior to the appointment. Reaction time, coordination, alertness and judgment can be temporarily impaired by ketamine. Cleveland Clinic recommends planning for transportation at home and refraining from operating a vehicle or machine after exercise.
It also can help you to maintain a light schedule. Do not make decisions, plan work or make demands for errands directly after.
When you schedule for ketamine infusion Orlando FL, verify the time of the appointment and directions on how to arrive.
Looking to find out if ketamine can be part of your psychiatric treatment plan? Call Orlando Premier Psychiatry for a consultation at (407) 565-3546 to talk about the treatment options available to you.
What to Eat and Drink Before Ketamine Therapy
The instructions regarding food and drink are important because some people may feel sick or vomit when taking ketamine.
Don’t assume that you need to fast for a certain time period unless your psychiatrist tells you to. It may vary depending on the type of medication and your condition.
For instance, Cleveland Clinic’s directions are to keep patients from eating anything for a minimum of 2 hours before treatment and from drinking liquids for a minimum of 30 minutes before treatment with esketamine nasal spray.
The instructions may vary based on your situation.
If you have accidentally consumed anything at any time other than specified in the window, inform your care team before the session. Don’t just take it for granted that the appointment will proceed as usual or simply put it aside.
Medications and Supplements to Discuss Before Your Session
List all items that you take. Prescription medicines, OTC medicines, vitamins, herbs, supplements, sleep remedies, and recreational drugs.
Certain drugs may interact with ketamine or make it more likely to have side effects including drowsiness, dizziness or blood pressure changes. Ketamine can interact with a number of types of medications, specifically listed by Cleveland Clinic as sedatives, antidepressants, seizure medications, opioids and sleep-inducing drugs.
Never discontinue or alter prescription medications without consulting a health care professional.
Rather, consult with your psychiatrist about what you should have on your appointment day. If you’re not certain about the names or doses of your medicines, take your list to your initial visit.
Honesty should also be used when talking about alcohol and other recreational drugs. Every detail is useful to your psychiatric team when making decisions for safety.
What Happens During a Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Session?
While under Ketamine assisted therapy, you might feel different in regard to perception, sensations in the body, feelings or time.
It can sometimes feel like a dream or like you are floating above your surroundings. Others may experience vivid colors or strange thoughts or a feeling of floating. These effects are of a temporary nature.
For an infusion, a small IV is inserted, and the infusion is administered of ketamine while monitoring your response. This can vary based on the type of session and your individualized care plan.
Do not be compelled to have a specific emotional response. Some sessions might be felt, some might feel relatively subtle.
It’s not a show. Safe and appropriate psychiatric care and an understanding of your response is the focus.
What to Expect After a Ketamine Session
Following ketamine assisted therapy, you may temporarily experience some fatigue, dizziness, unsteadiness or cloudiness of the mind.
Allow yourself to take a break from the hustle and bustle.
It’s important to make travel arrangements in advance, not drive yourself. This FDA prescribing information for esketamine states patients should not drive or operate machinery the day after taking the drug, following a night’s sleep, and needs to be transported home following the injection.
Your mental health team may provide you with guidelines on when to return to normal activities.
Limit activities to simple ones throughout the day. Take rest (following instructions), drink water (following instructions), and avoid alcohol or anything that may cause drowsiness.
Safety Tips for Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
The first step to safety is to communicate openly.
Inform your psychiatrist about any major blood pressure issues, cardiovascular issues, liver issues, past history of psychosis, drug allergies, and/or substance-use issues. These are all factors that can influence the decision of whether or not ketamine is right.
Other safety precautions to follow are:
- Have an appropriate transportation plan to travel home.
- Follow diet and drinking guidelines.
- Follow doctor’s orders for medication.
- Don’t drink alcohol unless directed to by your psychiatric staff.
- Avoid driving straight after.
- Keep away from activities or equipment that demand constant attention.
- Keep the activities following your session light.
- Report any unusual or extreme symptoms immediately.
When looking for ketamine infusion near me, make sure you don’t only pick the service just because it is convenient. Inquire about psychiatric evaluations, monitoring, medication reviews, follow-up and emergency.
How Many Ketamine Sessions May Be Needed?
There’s no universal magic number.
The number and frequency of KAT sessions will depend on the purpose for which ketamine is being considered, your response to it, the type of ketamine used and your psychiatric treatment plan.
Some people see changes quite soon and some may need more sessions. The benefits can be different and some may require more than one session, Cleveland Clinic says.
It is important that your psychiatrist assesses your progress over time, rather than take it for granted that more sessions automatically mean more progress.
When you’re looking into ketamine infusion Orlando, inquire about how they’re measuring response and how future sessions will be determined.
When to Contact Your Psychiatrist After Therapy
Talk to your psychiatric staff if you have symptoms that you are worried about or if symptoms are not improving as expected.
Some examples are extreme dizziness, extreme confusion, changes in mood or behaviour, problems with sleepiness or breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, or unusual symptoms.
If symptoms are severe, seek emergency help for problems breathing, loss of consciousness or a severe allergic reaction.
Otherwise, talk to your psychiatrist if you notice changes in your mood, thoughts of suicide, or if you start feeling unsafe. Avoid postponing appointments when you need them.
If you’re interested in KAT in Central Florida, Orlando Premier Psychiatry can help you determine if it’s a viable treatment for you. For an evaluation or to find out more about available Psychiatric services, please call (407) 565-3546. Call Orlando Premier Psychiatry if you or your loved one’s mental well-being is affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone drive me home after a ketamine therapy session?
Yes. Please have a responsible adult pick you up. Ketamine has the potential to interfere with alertness, coordination, judgment and reaction time on a temporary basis. Obey your psychiatric care team’s recommendations for driving and other activities.
How long should I plan to rest after ketamine-assisted therapy?
The rest of your day, plan to be light. After a workout, some people feel fatigued, dizzy or foggy. Based on your response, your psychiatrist can let you know when it’s safe to resume normal activities.
What should I avoid before and after a ketamine therapy session?
Follow your individualized directions for food, beverages, medications, alcohol and supplements. Thereafter, do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol or perform demanding tasks until alert and competent, as determined by psychiatric staff.
How long does a ketamine-assisted therapy session usually take?
The overall time of the visit may depend on the form and preparation of ketamine, on its monitoring, and on the time required for recovery. According to Cleveland Clinic, the entire experience of a ketamine session could last anywhere from two to three hours. Your provider will be able to provide you with a definite quote.
What can I expect during my first ketamine-assisted therapy session?
Your first session typically lasts 1-2 hours, and involves preparation, medication, monitoring and recovery. There can be temporary changes in perception, mood, body sensations, or time awareness. Your psychiatric team will discuss the procedure with you prior to the treatment.
Disclaimer
The information in this blog is provided for educational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or health care advice. The instructions given may vary and ketamine may not be suitable for everyone. Do not alter, discontinue or mix medications on the basis of information provided in this article. Ask your psychiatric provider for specific advice. If you have immediate or life-threatening symptoms, call emergency help right away.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Ketamine Therapy: What It Is, How It Works & Side Effects.
- Cleveland Clinic. Ketamine: Uses, Interactions & Side Effects.
- Cleveland Clinic. Esketamine Nasal Spray.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SPRAVATO (esketamine) Prescribing Information.
