My NEW and IMPROVED Ketamine Tale

Hi, healers! I was asked to go into detail about my ketamine experience, so I am going to give you some now before I crash again. Remember, I had a botched infusion (more here) once before in NYC, and I have to tell you, Dr. Schwartzmann in Philly REALLY does this procedure right. He's the RSD/CRPS wizard for a reason. He keeps you loaded on ativan and a lesser known drug, verset, to keep anxiety and hallucinations down. I spent a lot of time going in and out of sedation, and experienced that annoying double/triple+ vision. I could barely see, but otherwise, I was kept very comfortable. No vomitting this time, no real hallucinations. I did have a few scary moments of confusion, not knowing where I was or why I was in the hospital. I had loved ones that never left my side, so all was well. Obviously, you are bed bound, so a catheter is used.

I started tapering up on the ketamine Monday evening and began tapering down late Saturday morning. I was discharged around 6PM Saturday evening because they must observe you for a few hours after you taper off. I don't remember Tuesday at all, but came back to reality Wednesday and was alert. Annoyed it was only Wednesday, but alert! I wasn't able to eat besides for little bits of smoothies here and there, so you can imagine the weakness, total hunger and exhaustion when you come home, which lasts for awhile. I still feel off. 

I was taken off of my narcotics cold-turkey somewhere around Tuesday or Wednesday, so I am still dealing with the later stages of opiate withdrawal and withdrawals from the other meds, I'm sure. It's very full-system uncomfortable but temporary. No big deal. Because of this, I can't really tell you if my RSD/CRPS pain is totally gone, because opiate withdrawal causes uncomfortable full-body discomfort, amongst other annoying side effects. BUT, I can say that it is down significantly. More than 50%. I feel better off all my narcotics than I did when I was on them. Remember, I was on drugs like 8 vicodin a day and fentanyl, a drug more potent than morphine, which didn't even come close to taking my pain away. At best, those drugs lowered it 30%, somedays. This is great!

I have 8-10+ ketamine boosters in the next few weeks and months. I start August 5th and 6th, then repeat in two weeks, then repeat in three weeks, then repeat several weeks later, then repeat... After these first 8-10, I can get them quarterly (every 3 months), if the doc and I feel it is necessary.

Did I miss anything you were wondering?

Yesterday was a tough day for me, but I feel better today. I keep waking up at 4am and can't go back to bed. My body is still trying to regulate itself after the hospital trauma.

Happy Healing!