Esketamine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have struggled with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) since I was diagnosed with MDD in 1988. Things really got bad around 2001, and I had to go on disability. I have been fortunate in that I have been treated by some of the best psychiatrists in the game. Prior to being allowed to access Spravato between 2019 and 2020, I had received every pharmacological and psychological treatment available, including TMS (extensive) and ECT, including a one-year outpatient course of intensive ECT. Despite all of this, I pretty much remained in depressive hell, or as I heard one expert describe it, 'the anti-life.' Spravato, combined with a comprehensive bio-psycho-social treatment approach, allowed me to attain recovery and remission for the first time in over 30 years. However, my insurance quit covering it at the end of 2020. I actually thought I could do okay without it, so I did not really pursue trying to stay on it at that time. I was okay for awhile, but the past year has been particularly rough, and I intend to try and resume."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am using this for PTSD. The drug experience is horrible. After I spray it in my nose and it begins to take effect, I pray it will end. The feeling is so horrible. I want to throw up, I can't physically move, I can't assess where I am, I can't 'sense' anything, but I am aware of how bad I feel and pray it ends. For 24 hours after each treatment, I am a worthless dish rag. I feel my brain will never come back. No ability to think and want to vomit. I can't take many drugs. I have severe reactions. I opted to try Spravato because it is not every day. You won't want a soul near you when under the effects in the office. I feel I am in prison. Trapped. Can't scream. Buried alive with no help. It is a bad trip. If it treats PTSD, it is worth more than the nightmare side effects, that is the only reason I tried it. I have had allergic reactions to everything ever given to me. I am not allergic to Spravato. I just am terrified of how it makes me feel. I dread treatment."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "Spravato ended up making me have suicidal thoughts, and I think maybe go into a psychosis or something... I took it for a month. Twice in one week, 34 mg, and then the rest ones were 84 mg once a week. You take it like a nasal spray, and it burns a lot. I just couldn’t move and felt drunk, like mucked up, seeing tracers for about 45 minutes maybe. I didn’t like how I couldn’t move. I was completely numb, it helps pain for that time. But when it wore off, I was still numb mentally. I would get angry when it wore off. It just has to be known, it made me worse. They told me it was impossible to feel worse, which is so stupid. I also have PTSD, social anxiety, and generalized. Spravato made me take a lot of steps back. I had worked so hard to the point to where I was, and it tore it all down. Now I am a lot better and building it back up. But I just still don’t feel 100%. I hope I do. It made me aggressive, I wanted to fight people and harm myself. I used to be addicted to self-harming."

• pfx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "31 y/o, I have been tried on 30 meds over the last 6 years, tried rTMS as well with no results. The only thing that's ever helped is tramadol (for MDD). I'm also on klonopin as needed. I had one Spravato treatment today. It was the exact opposite of IV ketamine, which I really didn't like and quit after 4 infusions. IV was COLD, clinical, and felt mean. Spravato, on the other hand, felt good. It felt very pleasant and WARM. I took the 84 mg. I did not 'trip' at all. I didn't on the max dose IV ketamine either. Both felt like a drop in the water compared to DXM or DMT, but I didn't want to 'get high', I want to feel less depressed. I think the klonopin attenuates it a bit. The experience was like a total couch lock. It was very pleasing. It felt like I was doing personal therapy in my mind, along with the music. I was feeling words like creativity, peace, acceptance, and seeing troubling issues in my mind, like grief and loss, and was able to breathe through them. I am excited to keep going with Spravato."

• Dan...
• April 4, 2023

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve just had my 9th Spravato at 84 mg. I have only today felt the effects on me. It was not a scary ‘trip,’ but it wasn’t nice. I felt distressed and a bit ‘out of it.’ For example, I have chronic lower back pain, I felt the pain but couldn’t feel my legs. I am trying to find the positive side of this in the fact that at least I did feel it. I was really worried that it wasn’t working at all. I now hope number 10 has an effect as well. They are talking about possibly moving me from the Spravato spray to ketamine infusions. So I will update you as soon as I can. At the moment, my mood is still desperately low, and suicidal thoughts are paramount. I hope my next ‘review’ is a more positive one."

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "Ok, so I have only done it twice - the first time was 56 mg, the second was 84 mgs or whatever. I want to start off by saying I have a very long history of substance abuse, so something like “tripping” or “dosing” was not something I hadn’t experienced. Being on Spravato - I’ve never been so messed up in my life. Seriously, what in the world… At one point, I thought I melted into a pool of something on the floor, and I could hear the air twitching. For me, the initial “high” lasts about 2 hours, where you trip the hell out, hallucinate, and completely dissociate - but the extreme dizziness and nausea is enough to knock me on my ass for an entire 2 days afterwards. I’m trying to decide since I have not yet felt any relief - if I’m going to continue. My doc says to give her a month of trying it before I stop, but the entire day of and next day I’m sick as anything. Hope some of you find relief with this stuff."

• CRW...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2024

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "WOW! This medication gave me my life back. It's quite a commitment but well worth the investment. I am going on 11 months and am in complete remission from my severe depression. I continue it now every other week."

• TLA...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2023

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am currently in the phase of getting the medication every two weeks. I am also taking Venlafaxine and Doxepin for sleep. Overall, I feel like the medication is helping, but I developed some vertigo symptoms like random dizziness, brain zaps, and brain fog. I am also in EMDR therapy as well. I don't see a 'regular' therapist. So my experience with the sessions is great because I meditate, then I fall asleep. It's like the medication is giving my brain a much-needed break. I do have varied dips between treatment sessions, especially now that they are farther apart. I feel like I got more of a benefit in the beginning because the treatment was more frequent. I feel at odds about this because I don't want to come off as an addicted person, but it does help me. I am too ashamed to admit this to my medical team. I have emotional blunting rather than down (to me, a plus). I wish I could do the treatments at home because I am more comfortable there. I am concerned about relapses."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2021

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "First dose was like a light switch flipped on, and everything was in color again. Immediate end to all suicidal thoughts and ideations. Drastically improved sleep, and I was able to reduce other medications as a result. The rest of the treatments were beneficial, as the dissociation helped me process trauma that I just couldn't do with therapy alone. No side effects except drowsiness the day of treatment."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I just finished treatment #12 of Spravato today. I am 37 years old and am diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and complex PTSD. I have been on at least 10 different types of antidepressants over the past 15 years. I have also done TMS and IV ketamine treatments in the past 5 years. I would say that I am cautiously optimistic that Spravato is starting to work. I have gone from sleeping 6 to 7 hours during the day and 8 to 9 hours at night because I did not want to face life. Now I still sleep a full night but only take a 1 to 2 hour nap during the day. So I have increased energy and an overall improved mood. I would say the biggest change has been in my suicidal ideation. I still have hard nights, but the intrusive thoughts are way less! As anyone who has been dealing with depression for years and years knows, there is no one miracle cure. I would say overall though Spravato is helping, and thankfully, unlike IV ketamine treatments, it is covered by my insurance, which is a huge blessing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2019

Esketamine for Depression "So far, I am on my 3rd time doing the Spravato nasal spray. 2x I did 56 mg and one time the 82 mg, I believe. I feel exactly the same. No change at all!! My Dr told me to at least give it to the one month mark. It makes me feel awful during it, I get the disassociation and dizziness along with every other side effect, and I will say it takes me more than 2 hours to wear off. Pretty much the whole day. I am hoping the next few treatments work, otherwise, I have wasted a lot of time and money :-("

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

Esketamine for Depression "My first treatment was actually exceptionally frightening. When it appeared to peak, I could not move and felt frozen. A very low, soft, short mumble of a couple of words when asked a question. Lips barely moved. Very, very dark and distorted visual when eyes are closed. Open eyes, very difficult to see, and also quite dark. Felt very, very trapped. Wasn't sure if I was dying. Remained highish for several hours after. Also, the next 2 days had negative side effects, which a friend also observed. Never again!"

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was diagnosed with MDD before 23 years. Since then, I have used several antidepressants. I started Spravato sessions before 6 months. My Dr. recommended 8 sessions (two 28mg doses on each session). I stopped the medication after the 5th session as the medication didn't work at all (ZERO benefit), and my Dr. has agreed with this."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2020

Esketamine for Depression "I would like to know if anyone else currently being treated with Spravato has had insomnia, flashbacks, extremely weird, and vivid dreams? I have only completed 2 treatments so far and am curious as to how it is affecting others."

• Owl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2021

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I did Spravato for six weeks, and it had zero effect on my depression, but did have several negative side effects. I became very aggressive and hostile. The actual process of taking the drug was a miserable experience. The taste was horrible and made me horribly nauseated. The entire experience was not worth it. Add to that, I'm now fighting with the pharmacy that supplied the drug. I qualified for Janssen's assistance, and my portion should have been $10, but Alliance RX/Walgreens is billing me $1000."

• ela...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2021

Esketamine for Depression "I did a full month of treatments - 8 total at the 84 mg dose. I enjoyed the experience, however, it did absolutely nothing to help my depression. I am going to try IV ketamine infusions at some point, as I understand they are more effective for many reasons. I started with Spravato because it only cost $520 total for all 8 visits ($55 copay and $10 for Spravato through the J&J program)."

• Dav...
• December 1, 2021

Esketamine for Depression "Bioavailability is a big issue with ketamine. Infusions provide 100%, intramuscular maybe 70%, and Spravato, nasally 30%+. Unless you don’t swallow for several minutes after pressurized into nostrils. As it drains down your throat, and if you don’t swallow, the membrane in your mouth allows much greater absorption, much greater. The experience is much more pronounced, which I only assume means more meds into your system and thus a better outcome. Sure seems to be working that way for me."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "After many months of coordinating clinicians, paid leave for hubby, and 2 insurances, I had my first Spravato treatment yesterday, and it was great. The first time I have been able to truly relax since a stalking in 2008, from which I developed PTSD. I go to a wonderful clinic with calm, serene decor, and my therapist specializes in psychedelic guidance (hubby's union insurance pays for this, my Medicare Advantage pays for the Spravato). Also, I have experience with psychedelics from when I was a kid, and I use medical marijuana, so I understand altered states. As of today, I feel the same... low mood and anxiety, with a bit of stomach upset. Tomorrow is my second session. I'm hoping this is going to help, as I am unable to tolerate most psychotropic drugs due to a gene mutation affecting my liver. Good luck to everyone out there."

• goa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2021

Esketamine for Depression "I have had Spravato three times-once with the lower dose; twice with the higher. It's difficult to leave a review knowing everyone responds differently (but hopefully with enough enjoying remitted depressive symptoms). I didn't notice anything my first two sessions, during or after. But my partner did (more positive/less irritable). On the third dose, I did feel like more color was returning to my life, but that lasted for a day. This is not unusual: the medication supposedly builds up. The post-nasal drip is foul, but I've found that some candies work the best. I don't feel actually sick (although some people do). I didn't disassociate or have any reactions at all. I had ketamine for the main anesthesia ingredient during a major hip operation, and I came out of that surgery feeling great for a week even with the pain, so I'm hopeful continued use of its sibling will really help me. There is a question about whether maintenance really does need to be ongoing to keep the benefits."

• CAd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been on Spravato for a few months. After the initial cycle, I’ve stayed at once a week for a while. Here are my tips: Tilt your head back. Have hard candy, the taste is bad. Some days I have more intense effects than others, sometimes it is as mild as a glass of wine or nothing at all. As far as being dissociative, I use eye shades and earphones, listening to vibration sounds on Spotify or Apple Music, and completely absorb myself into this… no out-of-body feelings, no walking around, no messing with vision. This method has helped to enjoy the experience because it’s not scary and allows me to be with my thoughts. As far as how it’s worked, it helps on the day of treatment, but the efficacy wanes until the next treatment. Even on the first day, it’s not a fix. I was hoping for more. My provider suggested infusions, but between the cost and knowing now how the drug works: it won’t last and would be infinitely more costly to maintain."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2022

Esketamine for Depression "I was having suicidal ideations when I got my first Spravato last Thursday. The thoughts went away until Saturday morning when I was a mess. I had my second Spravato Monday and have had no ideations back. I am still depressed, but it is working for me. I have my third treatment tomorrow."

• tth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2023

Esketamine for Depression "After my second treatment, I am feeling more depressed and very tearful and hopeless. I am not sure it’s worth continuing. I have had only very minor side effects, so the treatment wasn’t awful. Just not working as quickly as I hoped and actually feeling worse."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2022

Esketamine for Depression "I’m happy with my results. It took me until the 4th week to feel substantially better. I’m a few months into a weekly maintenance schedule. I found the treatments somewhat unpleasant initially, but soon grew used to them. My advice: It’s not a miracle cure, so try to temper your expectations—the limited studies have shown that Spravato + a new antidepressant is maybe 30% more effective than a new antidepressant alone. Although the manufacturer contends people might feel better within days, not everyone will. It’s not a psychedelic therapy; any dissociation is a side effect—talk to your doctor about how Spravato works. The intensity of the dissociation is not an indication of how strong a given treatment is. It’s not a treatment for bipolar, anxiety, or PTSD."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I only tried Spravato once, but it was too bad to continue. A few minutes after the nasal sprays, I had a horrible taste in my mouth, then nausea, then crying, dissociation, sweating, etc. Now I’m back home after a few hours with somewhat of a hangover feeling: headache, still nauseous, and now also a sore throat. I can’t accurately “rate” this drug since it needs to be taken for quite some time to get the results, but the side effects were just too horrible to go on. *Side note: I have also done several ketamine infusions prior to this, with only a bit of nausea once."

• Edd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2020

For Depression "Have been in an esketamine trial for nearly two years. Has been quite helpful. I have experienced only one real bad downtime (when getting out of bed is difficult, etc.) and it was much shorter, a few weeks compared to my normal of months. While the drug hasn't brought me up to where I want to be, it has really limited the bottoming out. I was in a very low state when I first started taking it and am much more functional."