What chronic pain conditions is ketamine infusion therapy effective for?
- Neuropathic pain such as neuralgia and CRPS/RSD
- Cancer pain syndromes
- Phantom limb pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Central pain syndromes related to stroke or trauma.
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Spinal cord injury pain
What is CRPS/RSD?
CRPS/RSD is a disease of the autonomic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. It causes constant, intense, and severe pain that is disproportionate to the injury that initially caused the pain. In addition to pain, you may experience:
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms
- Changes to your skin color and texture
- Changes to hair or nail growth
- Extreme sensitivity to touch and temperature
- Insomnia
- Problems with concentration and memory
- Constant burning or throbbing pain
- Joint stiffness, swelling or damage
There are two types of CRPS. Type I, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), follows an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in the affected limb. About 90% of CRPS patients have type I. Type II CRPS, also referred to as causalgia, has symptoms similar to type I but follows a definable nerve injury.
How are CRPS and chronic pain treated?
CRPS and chronic pain are usually quite difficult to treat requiring a number of medications, which may have untoward side effects and/or addiction potential. The relief obtained is frequently suboptimal. Dr Barnett uses ketamine infusion therapy to treat chronic pain conditions. Ketamine infusion therapy works with your neurons to improve your brain function and reduce neurological pain. Many people have effective and long-term pain relief with regular booster treatments following the initial series of ketamine infusion sessions.
What happens during ketamine IV treatment for CRPS and chronic pain?
Dr Barnett provides an extensive consultation to determine if ketamine infusion therapy is right for you. If ketamine infusion therapy may be right for you, Dr. Barnett will offer you three to five 4-hour, high-dose ketamine infusions each followed by a 2-hour recovery period. She carefully monitors you during your sessions to ensure all protocols and best practice standards are met so you stay safe, and your treatment is its most effective.
If the initial infusions are effective in reducing your pain and increasing your functionality, Dr Barnett will offer you follow-up treatments as needed to treat your chronic pain. Treatment regimens can vary, but a common course of treatments may be one or two treatments every six to eight weeks following your initial series to manage your symptoms.
If you want to learn more about ketamine infusion therapy and how it can help control your chronic pain, call today to make an appointment.