From Patient to Medical Assistant: Success with Ketamine and Spravato
When I first ventured into the groundbreaking treatment of intramuscular ketamine injections, I wasn’t prepared for a breakthrough. I was hesitant and unsure. After all, I had been playing Pill Roulette with SSRIs and SNRIS for over 15 years. Over two dozen medications later, I had practically lost hope that medical intervention for my heavy depression and perpetual anxiety would ever be effective. I’ve never been happier to be wrong.
My First Ketamine Injection
It was 2019 when I had my first shot. The first time, I was pretty shocked — in the best meaning of the word. I felt like I had “zoomed out” of my perspective in life. I was able to think and ponder on my life circumstances and trajectory without drowning in what-ifs and buts. It took a couple times for me to feel a benefit.
While some patients respond immediately, some show progress from Ketamine and Spravato in a slow-and-steady fashion. I was in the latter group.
And yes, it took time to adjust to the physical parts too. Ketamine didn’t feel uncomfortable or scary for me, and the floating out-of-body sensations and increased sensitivity to my vision and hearing eventually became a welcome chance to escape and relax for a few hours.
Soothing music and occasional meditation helped me feel anchored and comfortable.
A Huge Difference!
Soon, I began to notice a huge difference! And I wasn’t the only one. My family and friends noticed I was being social again (at my own introverted pace). I wasn’t as overwhelmed by talking to people, even strangers. I was getting more of my chores done. I could take care of myself again! Even my therapist saw how healing ketamine injections were for me (and how important Spravato would come to be) as a part of my treatment plan.
Switching to Spravato Treatments
After the FDA approved Spravato (an esketamine nasal spray) in 2020, I was one of the first to switch over. Ketamine had broken through and improved my quality of life in a way that 15 years of pill after pill never could, and I was ecstatic that many insurances would now have a way to reduce the cost of treatments with Spravato. Little did I know how much more my life would change.
When I got my first spray of Spravato, I can’t deny that my first thought was of the strange aftertaste.
Thankfully, Promise Medical knew exactly how to keep me comfortable during my Spravato journey. They had a candy bowl at my disposal and a comfortable massaging recliner.
Soon, I took note of the effects: much like the Ketamine injections I had been having, I felt my anxiety quiet and my depression become a bit lighter.
I began to feel the music in my earbuds tickle a bit in just the right way. I began to feel my body being lifted in a subtle, familiar manner. But Spravato was more gradual in its come-up than Ketamine, more gentle, easing me into my vacation from my overactive thoughts. And the comedown was better too.
The Effectiveness of Ketamine & Spravato
But what about the effectiveness of Ketamine vs Spravato? It took a couple of sessions to be sure, but my fears were quickly set aside. The emotional benefits were just as bright, and now I had help from my insurance to pay for it!
A Whole New Trajectory
My mental health journey, starting with Ketamine and moving to Spravato, was about to take my life on an exciting new trajectory. I was excited that after several months of treatment, I would be going on vacation for a month in Europe. And I had a blast! I had healed to the point that I could enjoy myself for several weeks without a treatment at all.
Yes, I returned to Spravato when I came back home to Orem, Utah.
But Promise Medical was there for me.
And after a few maintenance treatments, I decided to take a step that before Spravato and Ketamine would have been unthinkable.
I got a job at Promise Medical, the very clinic that had been with me every step through recovery from the darkest time of my life.
Now I sit at the front desk and smile, knowing how much Ketamine and Spravato are helping the lives of dozens of patients to improve.
It was uncertain and a little scary to begin this journey. But I wouldn’t trade my Ketamine and Spravato treatments from Promise Medical away for the world. From unemployed to giving back at my new job, the changes in my depression and anxiety speak for themselves.
— Ethan
