If you’re struggling with treatment resistant depression, PTSD, or chronic pain, ketamine infusion therapy may be what finally works for you.
Ketamine Infusions
What is ketamine and how does it work?
Ketamine is an anesthetic and psychedelic medication. In lower doses than is needed for anesthesia, ketamine works by a variety of mechanisms, including modulating levels of important neurotransmitters in your brain. The changes in these neurotransmitter levels help provide relief of symptoms.
What is ketamine infusion therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy involves an intravenous (IV) infusion of ketamine into the bloodstream at specific doses over a period of time. This provides the most reliable increase in blood levels of ketamine in the body.
What conditions are potentially helped by ketamine infusion therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy has been most well studied to address treatment-resistant mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may be helpful in other conditions such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Ketamine infusion therapy has also been studied to be an effective treatment for a number of pain conditions for adults and adolescents, including chronic pain, neuropathic pain, migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Ketamine infusion therapy may help relieve symptoms of mental disorders and chronic pain when other treatments fail.
Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy FDA approved?
No, ketamine infusions are not FDA approved. In fact, about 40% of all prescription drugs in the US are used for non-FDA approved conditions. However, Ketamine was introduced into clinical practice in the 1960s, thus it has over 60 years of use in medicine.
Why choose Arizona Wellness Medicine for your ketamine infusion?
At Arizona Wellness Medicine, your in-office ketamine infusion will be done by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists are the most experienced physicians in the use of ketamine and have the greatest understanding of all of its effects on the body. Ketamine’s original use is as a general anesthetic, thus having your infusion by an anesthesiologist provides the safest, smoothest and most positive patient experience. In addition, our functional medicine experience allows us to customize your infusion with additional vitamins and nutrients to help further improve symptoms.
Also, a comprehensive assessment and evaluation will be completed prior to your first infusion to make sure you are a good candidate. This will also include recommended blood work to evaluate root causes of symptoms that may be easily treated.
We also offer full functional medicine services which are recommended for those who are ready to find and treat the root causes of signs and symptoms with advanced laboratory testing and significant lifestyle changes. Combining functional medicine with ketamine infusion therapy is likely to increase your success. These services are separate from your ketamine infusion consultation and are not required.
How to prepare for a ketamine infusion at Arizona Wellness Medicine
You will want to avoid eating or drinking anything for 8 hours before your infusion, except for small amounts of plain water.
You will also want to dress comfortably and wear a tank top or short sleeve to provide easy access to your arms for the IV and vital sign monitoring.
If you have artificial nails or have nail polish on, you will need to remove it from one of your index fingers for proper oxygen level monitoring.
Continue taking medications and supplements per usual, unless directed otherwise in your pre-infusion consultation.
What happens during ketamine infusion therapy?
During your ketamine infusion therapy, an intravenous (IV) line is started and your physician delivers carefully controlled amounts of ketamine into your body over time. The dosage is based on your body weight combined with your unique health needs and conditions.
Your vital signs are monitored during and after the infusion. Many people notice a decrease in their symptoms during the infusion. You may also experience hallucinations as a result of your ketamine infusion, which can range from pleasant dreams to intense visual and auditory hallucinations.
Your infusion will be in a calm, quiet, and relaxing environment to provide the best possible experience.
What to expect after a ketamine infusion
You will need someone to drive you home after your infusion is complete. You should also avoid driving or operating heavy machinery or 24 hours after your treatment. For your safety, you should have someone stay with you for 24 hours after your infusion and avoid making any major decisions during this time.
How quickly will I see results from my ketamine infusion therapy?
If you’re receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD, it may take anywhere from seven hours to seven days for the infusions to improve your symptoms.
When you receive ketamine infusions to address pain, the results may last three weeks or longer. This may include reducing your reliance on other pain-relieving medications.
To help you maintain your results, we will customize a treatment plan that involves a series of infusions over time.
Does Arizona Wellness Medicine take health insurance?
No, we do not accept or bill for health insurance of any kind and cannot guarantee that your insurance will reimburse you any specific amount for ketamine infusions or any other service or products purchased at Arizona Wellness Medicine. We are happy to provide an invoice with procedure and diagnostic codes that you may submit on your own to your insurance company. Payment is expected at the time of service.
To learn more about the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy and if it is right for you, contact us.
Our Practitioners
Jacqui Lombari (MS, CNS, LDN) is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist® and is on track to become a Board-Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. She obtained her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine from the University of Western States and completed the Functional Nutrition Residency Program at Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s clinic.
Emily Parke, DO, is board certified in anesthesiology and pediatric anesthesiology, trained in medical acupuncture, and specializes in and is certified in Functional Medicine.
Danielle Bechert, MD, is board certified in Family Medicine, and an IFM certified Functional Medicine Practitioner.
Betsy Kantor, MD, is board certified in both Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, and an IFM-CP. She is also trained in Nutrigenomic Analysis, Environmental Medicine, Cogence Immunology, and Root Cause Protocol mineral balancing.