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What to Expect the Day of the Infusion

Ketamine Infusion Experience

On the day of your infusions:

What to expect

Once you provide your full medical history and had your initial consultation to determine if Ketamine infusions are indicated for your specific diagnosis, you will meet with a nurse anesthesiologist on the day of your appointments before and after each infusion. This gives you another opportunity to ask any questions and to assess your mental and physical health history and to update any new health information not previously provided in your medical history. We also make note of any important information that happened during your infusions to modify your treatment plan if warranted.

We base your treatment plan and initial infusion dosage on many factors to your specific situation and diagnosis such as  body-weight, current medication history, your specific mood or pain diagnosis, your age, gender, and several other factors. Your initial infusion provides a baseline on how you will tolerate and respond to the Ketamine medication and any other co-administered medications and provides a benchmark for increasing the dosage for further infusions.  Subsequent Ketamine infusion dosages will be adjusted and likely increased depending on your response to the initial infusion and every infusion thereafter.

 

Time in clinic

For mood disorder infusions we schedule 90 minutes in the clinic for each appointment. This includes time to meet with you before and after, the IV start and set up, the infusion time itself, along with recovery time. The average infusion itself is 45 to 60 minutes for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and other treatable mood disorders, For chronic pain disorders, the infusion appointment times are longer due to the complexity of the co-administered medications, and longer recovery times in the clinic. Each pain infusion is dependent on the specific pain diagnoses along with whether sedation will be administered for very high dose Ketamine infusions.

What to bring

Wear comfortable clothing, your favorite music, blanket, and earbuds. We will need to be able access your arm up to your elbow so please do not wear clothing that restricts your arms.  Rocky Mountain Mind and Body has weighted and regular blankets, ear plugs, eye covers, blue-tooth speakers, and noise cancelling headphones for your use while at the clinic. Please note that eye covers may increase the dissociative effects of the medication by decreasing the amount of external stimuli during the infusion.

 

If you have any questions about the Ketamine experience or Rocky Mountain Mind and Body and how we can help you, please call or text for a free consultation at 720-729-4357

 

  • The infusion is administered in a very pleasant outpatient setting, not in the hospital.
  • No solid food should be eaten within 4 hours of the infusion and no liquids within 2-3 hours. Most medications should be taken at their regular times, particularly blood pressure medicine. Diabetic medicine generally should not be taken that morning. There are a few medications that may conflict with your treatment. This will be discussed before infusion day.
  • You should bring a friend, family member or trusted person with you. They will need to take you home. They are welcome to stay with you for the entire infusion.
  • There is no need to disrobe. The infusion is done with your clothes on in a plush reclining chair. A very small gauge IV is started and the infusion will be started immediately.
  • A nationally board certified Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) will be with you at all times to monitor the infusion and ensure your safety and comfort. Your blood pressure, EKG and pulse oximetry will be monitored at all times. We have Oxygen and cardiac monitoring capabilities for those more complex patients.
  • Many patients like to bring music, earbuds or headphones. We suggest calming, soft music.
  • Most patients find the infusion experience to be very pleasant. It is very common to have a floating or drunk sensation. This is temporary and will end shortly after the infusion is complete. You will never be unconscious.
  • Mental Health Mood Infusions are 1 hour in duration with a 15 to 20 minute recovery period.
  • Pain Infusions are usually 2 to 4 hours with a 30 to 60 minute recovery period.
  • You will leave the clinic under your own power and your trusted person will take you home.