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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 7:29:13
Had a very interesting session with my pdoc yesterday. He said he had read some things about Ketamine recently:
1. That more and more clinics are starting to offer injections on an outpatient basis. Only problem is that it usually only lasts a few days, so one would have to continually go to the clinic, and I can't imagine the costs, as I'm sure it's not covered by insurance.
2. Of even more interest to me, he said that he had read that some studies are going to be starting using *oral* Ketamine. I don't know if they're using the IV for PO, or if an actual oral formulation has been manufactured, but this gives me hope. If it pans out, it may be that new drug we're all hoping for.
Kat
Posted by Phil on January 29, 2013, at 8:39:03
In reply to ORAL Ketamine, posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 7:29:13
Hopefully this drug will be the answer where other drugs weren't. If it does work as good as the hype, docs will push it like jellybeans and find that it's no more a miracle drug than any other AD. But it is a novel option. There really isn't a stand out AD and I doubt Special K will change that.
Ketamine will cost $700 a month with revenues in the billions. But I pray to Elvis it can reach people that have suffered for so long. God knows big pharma is not exactly putting any focus on psych meds these days.
Just my grouchy opinion.
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2013, at 10:00:46
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on January 29, 2013, at 8:39:03
Phil ketamine was the Elvis drug? If so doesn't this mean kind of going backwards toward the older barbituate type meds. Ketamine goes up and barbituates as downers? I think I need to google ketamine. Phillipa
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 10:44:44
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on January 29, 2013, at 8:39:03
> Hopefully this drug will be the answer where other drugs weren't. If it does work as good as the hype, docs will push it like jellybeans and find that it's no more a miracle drug than any other AD. But it is a novel option. There really isn't a stand out AD and I doubt Special K will change that.
>
> Ketamine will cost $700 a month with revenues in the billions. But I pray to Elvis it can reach people that have suffered for so long. God knows big pharma is not exactly putting any focus on psych meds these days.
>
> Just my grouchy opinion.lol, I think your grouchy opinion is pretty much spot-on Phil. And, since I'm also in a grouchy mood, I'll add that if they are just now starting up studies of oral K, it will be *years* before it makes it to market, if it even does.
Kat
Posted by Phil on January 29, 2013, at 10:50:32
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine » Phil, posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 10:44:44
It is a fascination turn of events though. I guess this is the sort of thing that could open up to so many other treatments. I may be repeating myself...but anyway.
Posted by Hugh on January 29, 2013, at 11:30:35
In reply to ORAL Ketamine, posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 7:29:13
What I've read is that a single injection of ketamine can alleviate depression anywhere from a few days to a month, but with most people it works for about a week. (And with one-third to one-half of people, it won't help at all.) The hope is that with multiple infusions, the antidepressant effects will last for much longer, and some people may be able to go without ketamine indefinitely, while some people may need an occasional booster shot. This approach is so new that the jury is still out on its effectiveness.
There was an Inspector Lewis mystery on PBS a year or two ago called The Mind Has Mountains. The plot revolved around a clinical trial of oral ketamine for depression.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 13:38:32
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on January 29, 2013, at 10:50:32
> It is a fascination turn of events though. I guess this is the sort of thing that could open up to so many other treatments. I may be repeating myself...but anyway.
I think you may be right Phil...maybe we are on the cusp of the next generation of AD meds? I sure as hell hope so. I'm *really* hoping today - my Ritalin isn't working, even though I took a short holiday. Sigh guess I'm gonna have to take a long one and live in bed for a week. Oh, how I enjoy my life
Kat
Mr Bluebird is definitely NOT on my f*ck*ng shoulder!
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 13:44:19
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine, posted by Hugh on January 29, 2013, at 11:30:35
Hugh, I find that utterly amazing that an entire year ago a show on TV portrayed a study of oral Ketamine! That actually blows me away! How did they know??
I agree with you commpletely; the jury is still out. There are so many studies, so much different info and so many rumours floating around out there about Ketamine that it's impossible right now to really know how efficacious it is, how many people it really helps, etc. But there sure is a huge buzz about it.
I'm having a colonoscopy next week - I know you're thrilled I shared that with you - but the sedation they are going to use is propofol and - you guessed it - Ketamine. I'm going to see if I'm happier afterwards. Though, of course, the Propofol and other factors make this a far from scientific study :)
Kat
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 29, 2013, at 20:27:48
In reply to ORAL Ketamine, posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 7:29:13
Kat, in my inexpert opinion, it would be worthwhile trying the following:
Have the injections, and if they seem to work, keep getting them till you're much improved, then have as compounding pharmacist make you a syruo out of the iv solution which you could take by mouth, to see if that kept you in remission - in effect, conduct your own trial on your self.
Ketamine is certainly effective oraly, one of my friends with a fairly shady past confirmed that for me.
Posted by Hugh on January 29, 2013, at 21:14:22
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine » Hugh, posted by ChicagoKat on January 29, 2013, at 13:44:19
It will be interesting to hear how your ketamine experience goes.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 30, 2013, at 9:38:19
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 29, 2013, at 20:27:48
> Kat, in my inexpert opinion, it would be worthwhile trying the following:
>
> Have the injections, and if they seem to work, keep getting them till you're much improved, then have as compounding pharmacist make you a syruo out of the iv solution which you could take by mouth, to see if that kept you in remission - in effect, conduct your own trial on your self.
>
> Ketamine is certainly effective oraly, one of my friends with a fairly shady past confirmed that for me.Ha ha, a friend with a shady past :) Yep, I figured they were using IV for PO. We used to do it with lots of drugs at the children's hospital where I used to work, sometimes it was the only was to be able to administer a small enough dose orally.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 30, 2013, at 9:39:09
In reply to Re: ORAL Ketamine, posted by Hugh on January 29, 2013, at 21:14:22
> It will be interesting to hear how your ketamine experience goes.
Thanks Hugh, I will keep you posted.
Kat
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