Esketamine and Depression: What Users Say

• Lee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2021

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "My first treatment was February 7, 2020, and my life has been completely changed thanks to this medication. For one thing, it has given me hope that there are new treatments to fight depression. The best thing is it is working! I no longer stay in bed all the time. I have more energy, and I enjoy living life again. As far as the treatments themselves, I get a feeling of euphoria for the first 40 minutes. My face, lips, and nose have a very numb feeling which goes away within about 2 hours. Some days after my treatment I feel fatigued, and some days I have a good amount of energy. For me, watching funny videos/comedians/movies on my iPad helps me not to dwell on the results of my treatment when coming down from the 'high'. Personally, this medication is a blessing and it has given me my life back."

• Sei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2025

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I had my 6th treatment today. I have struggled with depression for 32 years. Meds have helped, but I was kind of out of options. Spravato has been amazing for me so far. I was doing quite well going into treatment, but my brain just hurt, was still slow to think, and joy was stagnant. My experience of Spravato has been a spiritual experience. During treatment, my prayer is focused, and my mind recalls so many good things in my life, like the things and people that matter the most are front and center. I have listened to some music, and other times am just quiet. I am fully present, but at the same time, my brain is clear and fixated on whatever I am thinking of. Speech, words in music just seem to slow down, I can hear everything perfectly. This lasts for about 45 minutes. My brain pain and depression are gone. I can think more clearly, my sense of humor is fully back. Small things don't seem to upset me quite as much. This medication has helped me, and I am encouraged."

• cha...
• October 29, 2024

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been battling with MDD and TRD for almost 30 years. I'm 53 years old now. I used Spravato, well, I'm still using it under supervision. Today, I had a session with my doctor. She said that because it is working the day of use, I should continue with it. Frankly, I don't see much difference in my depression. I still feel depressed. I'm not sure if it has to do with Spravato, if anything, it should help me with lifting my mood. I'm desperate, and I wish there were a miracle drug I could take. Spravato gives me a high, and I feel good for a few hours, but then comes the sadness."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2022

Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder "My major depressive disorder is drug resistant. I used Spravato at a doctor's office 3 times weekly for about 6 weeks. My first 2 weeks were filled with sadness, followed by mad anger (PTSD symptoms) for the following 2 and experienced deeper sadness and suicidal ideation for the last two. We then stopped treatment about a month ago, and I am still struggling with deep sadness. I feel disappointed. I had been so hoping for lasting help. I've begun to lose hope that I'll never again experience life with more delight."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "So far, mixed emotions. I've done 6 weeks of biweekly treatment with esketamine, which I felt were excellent results. Cut to 1 treatment per week and this week. It has been an amalgamation of depression and severe anger. Some of this change may have been brought about by stress due to my wife's rapidly disintegrating health and fear of her losing her other leg. She is an amputee, a cancer survivor with bilateral percutaneous nephrectomies, an Indiana pouch abdominal urinary bladder replacement, a colostomy, and end-stage renal disease. This week, she suddenly developed pressure sores on her right foot, almost identical to the one that cost her her left leg 9 months ago. Needless to say, I am extremely upset at the thought of her losing her right leg and praying the doctors can make it heal. When esketamine was working, prior to the events of this week, all was wonderful. I hope that comes back."