Ketamine Infusions — How You Should Prepare Yourself
Posted on: 21 April 2020
If you have arranged for a ketamine infusion treatment to assist you with your depression, then this is likely a new experience for you. Thankfully, most people tolerate the IV infusions quite well. There are a few things that you should do to prepare for the treatment though. Keep reading to learn about them.
Eat A Light Meal
Ketamine has been shown to reduce depression symptoms in individuals who receive infusions. However, there are some side effects of the treatment. Some of the most common ones involve the gastrointestinal system. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. While your doctor may provide you with an antiemetic to reduce nausea, you should also limit your food intake before your infusion.
You can eat a light meal, but you should do so at least three or four hours before your appointment. Eggs are easily digestible and can be paired with a few pieces of lightly buttered toast. Stick with water to drink though, since coffee can add to the acidity of the stomach and the feeling of nausea.
During your ketamine treatment, make sure to let your nurse know if you are starting to feel nauseous. Your infusion can be stopped or slowed down if you are feeling uncomfortable.
Arrange For A Ride
Ketamine has long been used as a pain reliever and anesthetic. For this reason, the medication can make you feel quite drowsy. It can also cause some dizziness and confusion. The medicine may also lead to a dream-like state for a while. Due to these side effects, it is wise to ask a friend or family member to drive you home from the appointment.
Typically, the infusion appointment will take about 90 minutes, so you can use this timeframe to determine when you will need your ride. Keep in mind that you may be able to use a ridesharing service to get home. However, you should not do this until after your first appointment. This will help you to figure out if you will be clear-headed enough after the infusion. Otherwise, you may need help getting into bed where you can sleep until some of the side effects wear off.
Since you will likely need multiple infusions over the course of two to four weeks, make sure to set up your rides in advance so you are able to stick with the recommended treatment regimen.
If you want to learn more about how a ketamine infusion can help you, speak with your physician.
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