I have treatment resistant anxiety and nightmares. I’ve tried SSRIs and SNRI along with buspirone and clonazepam. While the benzo helps, (I’ve taken the same dose for 10 years) doctors are really against prescribing them even though they help more than anything. I’ve had cognitive therapy, among other kinds of therapy and have been trying to treat my severe anxiety for over a decade. I want to try something new because I’m at my wits end. Anyone tried the ketamine nasal spray and if so, what was your experience like? Thank you!
Anyone tried ketamine for anxiety?
Question posted by apvoigt999 on 13 July 2022
Last updated on 4 July 2023 by Springw3746
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4 Answers
Springw3746
4 July 2023
apvoigt999, I too suffer from anxiety and have been on many different meds and herbal supplements. I do treatment every week one in my Dr. office one at home. I get my troches from a compound pharmacy and it cost me 120.00 a month out of California. My Dr. prescribes them and my insurance pays for a regular office visit. I have done treatment for over a year and have gotten more relief than 25 years of counseling. I feel so much better. I actually can go out in public like a normal person.
ObsessivelyAnxious
10 Nov 2022
I have anxiety and like you, I did find relief with benzodiazepines, though I won’t touch them now because after 10 years I found my memory turned to Swiss cheese. I’ve not tried the ketamine nasal spray but I have now (2 months) been doing the at home treatments - sublingual troches, which are not as cost prohibitive if you find the right doctor and find a compounding pharmacy with the lowest cost. My monthly supply only costs $40, $9.50 delivery fee. The expensive part is the monthly doctor’s appointment because of the nature of the medication and treatment.
Many at home treatment programs only offer weekly treatments but if you look at data, for anxiety it is recommended for more frequent treatment initially. Weekly is meant for depression, anxiety is suggested treatment every 3 days.
I have found that the ketamine has had a huge impact on my overall mental health, particularly my anxiety. I suffer from OCD, which is very much an anxiety disorder, and the twofold benefit of improving the anxiety and therefore having less OCD symptoms has felt like the best thing since sliced bread.
It’s not just a miracle drug though, you can’t just expect to take it and your anxiety is gone (which it does help). It works by changing your neural pathways and helping you to create new thought patterns and break old ones. With the at home treatments, you experience your thoughts in a different way and see things in a whole new light. It’s important to journal your experiences and recognize those thought patterns you’re breaking. The ketamine makes it possible for you to do so.
I also have a prescription for medical thc and hands down prefer the benefits of the ketamine. However, depending on which way your weight issues might lie…ketamine tends to keep your appetite low and I now struggle with wanting to eat vs having the munchies. Thc and ketamine shouldn’t be used within the same couple days, to cancel out the appetite issue though, because the thc affects the ketamine and in my experience (and according to research) makes it less effective.
If you can find a way to go the route of the sublingual troches, I would recommend that treatment route wholeheartedly for anxiety. It does depend on your state laws I think - NY is very liberal with their medications here, thankfully.
Best of luck with finding relief for your anxiety!
Zika15
13 July 2022
I have anxiety and major depression. I tried ketamine treatments in 6 sessions. I have to say it works but it was temporary for me. However, it has helped reduce the intensity of my depression somewhat! To be honest with you, nothing helps my anxiety like thc! I was very hopefull for the Ketamine treatment but the cost is extremely high for the little relief you get!
apvoigt999
14 July 2022
Thanks for your feedback. It does seem cost prohibitive. And I prefer THC too, but I moved from a legal state to one that will probably never legalize so it’s not as available (to me at least). I appreciate your input.
Alphabravo33
13 July 2022
I did try it. For the relief I received versus the time and cost of treatments, it simply was not sustainable. I did an IV drip in a clinical environment. I could not afford the nasal spray, it was absurdly expensive where I live.
I have since moved on to a FisherWallace stimulator and this has changed my life for the better. We are all different. Just because the ketamine drip did not work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. I didn’t have the resources financially for the length of time they recommended. Did I give up to early, maybe, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience for me, but again, we are all different. Opinions on the internet are individual experiences. If you have the time and resources, give it a try. That’s really the only way we figure out these anxiety treatments, trial and error. I hope this helps a little bit. Good luck to you!
apvoigt999
14 July 2022
Thank you for the feedback! And yes we are all different but sounds like the cost is prohibitive.
Related topics
anxiety, nightmares, generalized anxiety disorder, buspirone, clonazepam, ketamine, dosage, doctor, benzodiazepine, treatment, ssri, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
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