Ketamine Therapy

TCS Health offers Ketamine Therapy with excellent results.  TCS offers revolutionary solutions for a number of treatment resistant mood disorders and pain related conditions.  Many patients will see an improvement after just one session, making Ketamine Therapy a extremenly viable option for anyone who is not getting results with traditional treatments.

TCS offers personalized treatment for each patient.

Calm, Serene Environment

For Appointments Call 320.455.9300

 

 

What can Ketamine be used for?

• Acute Pain
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Back Pain
• Bipolar Disorder
• Buldging Disc
• Cancer Pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Central Pain Syndromes related to Stroke or Trauma
• Chronic Pain
• Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Crohn's Disease
• CRPS/RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
• Degenarative Disc Disease
• Depression
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Drug Addiction
• Eating Disorders Including Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating
• Facet Joint Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Herniated Disc
• Inclusion-Body Myositis
• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• Lichen Sclerosus
• Lyme Disease
• Migraines
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathic Pain
• OCD
• Parkinson's Disease
• Phantom Limb Pain
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
• Postpartum Depression
• PTSD
• Rett Syndrome
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sacoliliac Joint Pain
• Scoliosis
• Severe Depression
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Some forms of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
• Stiff Persons Syndrome
• Spinal Cord Injury Pain
• Suicidal Ideation
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Are there different types of Ketamine?

Two main types of Ketamine are used:

• Racemic Ketamine, which given as an infusion into the bloodstream. This is sometimes called intravenous, or IV Ketamine. It is a mixture of two mirror-image molecules: “R” and “S” Ketamine. While it was approved decades ago as an anesthetic by the FDA, it is used off-label to various mental illnesses, autoimmune disorders and pain.
• Esketamine (Spravato), which the FDA approved, is given as a nasal spray. It uses only the “S” molecule.

Thus far, most research has been on Ketamine infusions.

The two forms of ketamine interact differently with receptors in the brain. The delivery of ketamine and the type given affect drug effectiveness and side effects.

IV Ketamine Procedure

At TCS health, treatment protocols are individually planned. Infusions are prepared in house so that they can be tailored to each patient’s therapeutic needs.  A variety of medications are often used:

• Ketamine
• Lidocaine
• Magnesium
• Phenergan
• Zofran
• Labetalol
• Toradol

These medications are typically mixed with saline in an IV bag and infused slowly over several hours, depending on the medication and/or protocol being used.  Usually, a series of treatments will be recommended daily for a period of a week or more. The duration of pain relief following one or more ketamine infusions cannot be predicted. The goal is to achieve lasting relief as measured in weeks or months following the last treatment. Most patients who enjoy prolonged pain relief will need to return on occasion for a booster infusion, or continue to take low dose intranasal ketamine at home.

What are the possible short-term side effects of Ketamine?

All drugs have side effects. Possible benefits may outweigh possible risks.
Ketamine given by infusion may cause:

• Increased blood pressure, heart rate, respirations - if this occurs it can be controlled at the session with medication
• Nausea, dizziness and vomiting - if this occurs it can be controlled at the session with medication
• Perceptual disturbances (time appearing to speed up or slow down; colors, textures, and noises that seem especially stimulating; blurry vision) - if this occurs it can be controlled at the session with medication
• Disorientation, confusion

Generally, any changes in perception or dissociation are most noticeable during the first infusion and end very quickly afterward.

Esketamine nasal spray may cause the same side effects. However, the timing and intensity of those effects is different.

Long-term or frequent use of Ketamine may have additional side effects.

Q & A

What are the Risks of Ketamine?

Ketamine infusion therapy is generally well tolerated and, as such, very few patients need to terminate treatment due of side effects. Still, Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine (PCP) a known psychedelic and if not combined with sedation can cause hallucinations in many patients. You will be given a benzodiazepine to control this dysphoria. Other possible side effects include nausea and rarely a headache. These side effects can also be managed and often eliminated during the infusion therapy.  Following the completion of a daily infusion regimen, patients are usually tired for several hours and need to be accompanied home by a responsible adult. We have yet to observe any long-term side effects that can be attributed to low dose intravenous Ketamine therapy. Furthermore, Ketamine is not highly addictive like more common FDA approved analgesics like opioids.

What is an Off-Label Drug?

The use of Ketamine for mental disorders, autoimmune disorders and pain and the use of lidocaine for pain are considered off-label drug uses, which means the drugs have been approved by the FDA but not for the specific conditions which we use these medications to treat. Many drugs are routinely used off-label – it is entirely legal and extremely common.

How Many Infusions Will I Need?

A series of infusions followed by maintenance treatments provides greater and longer-lasting relief.

Loading Series Mental Health Disorders:

• Week 1 - 2 Infusions 
• Week 2 - 2 Infusions
• Week 3 - 1 Infusion
• Week 4 - 1 Infusion
• Booster 1 - 1 Infusion - 2 weeks later
• Booster 2 - 1 Infusion - 2 weeks later
• Booster 3 - 1 Infusion - 1 Month later

Loading Series Pain (Varies by type - Neuropathic vs Nociceptive):

• Number of fusions in loading series varies
• Neuropathic - 3-5 consecutive days
• Nociceptive - 1-4 consecutive days
• Dose escalation a minimum of twice per series
• Maintenance 1x every 1-3 months

Additional Boosters as needed and can be spread out with home maintenance.  We work with patients to extend the time between treatments when possible.  The number and frequency of treatments are variable from patient to patient.

Can I Drive Myself After Therapy?

Patients CAN NOT drive themselves after therapy.  

Are There Any Medications That Can Interfere with Ketamine Treatment?

Patients’ should not take benzodiazepines or any prescribed narcotics on the day of their infusion.

Will I Be Required to Stop Taking My Psychiatric Medications?

No, there is no need to stop any of the medications you are currently taking.

How Much Do Infusions Cost?  Are They Covered by Health Insurance?

Ketamine treatment plans vary in cost dependent on treatment frequency. We do accept most insurances, however, insurance may not cover Ketamine Therapy.  We have CareCredit as an additional option as well as we accept FSA and HSA.    

Per session costs are $350 to $1200