According to research studies, treatment sessions of Ketamine to treat depression can be effective for 70-80 % of individuals. After a session, patients can be depression free for several weeks to several months. Some patients report feeling much better within the first hour after treatment.

No, a referral is not needed. Our practitioners can diagnose and treat without any previous evaluation.

Padgett Medical Center sees patients as young as 18 years old.

Ketamine’s mechanism of action is completely different from that of any other antidepressant medication. The exact mechanism of action that allows ketamine to relieve depression is complex and works by quickly increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. It helps important growth factors that help the brain repair damaged neurons affected by stress and mental illness. Thus, Ketamine, can improve mood within hours/days and also cause the regeneration of nerve cells over time. Ketamine causes neuroplasticity which is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and re-organization.

Our goal is to help treat mental illness and provide relief to those who have not had success with traditional medications or psychotherapy. Promising data has demonstrated robust effects in treating severe, chronic, and treatment resistant depression. Patients diagnosed with major depression, bipolar depression, postpartum depression, PTSD, phobias, OCD or dysthymia could benefit from Ketamine treatment. Ketamine has also shown effective in treating patients with suicide ideation. In addition, ketamine shows promise in alleviating symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a number of anxiety disorders.

If you have high blood pressure, cardiac, and/or pulmonary issues it may be necessary for your primary care physician to provide a medical clearance before beginning your ketamine infusions.

Please avoid any kind of solid foods and/or drinks for 4 hours prior to your ketamine session. Absolutely avoid alcohol or the use of any illicit drugs. These substances are extremely dangerous in combination with ketamine.

You will be awake but most patients describe the session as being in a lucid dream type state.

At the start of the session, you may not have noticeable effects, but as the session progresses, you may encounter a feeling of “lightness” or “floating,” which for some feels as a “weight being lifted off their shoulders”. Most patients describe mild dissociative symptoms that are generally well tolerated. You will be monitored throughout the session by a sitter. Within 90 minutes of completing the session, you will to start to regain your senses and your thinking will return to normal. The day of the session we do not want you making any major decisions, signing contracts, or driving until the following day.

Prior to your first treatment, we will ask you to fill out a few brief questionnaires that will provide a baseline. We will then follow up after each session to determine response. If needed we can adjust the treatment accordingly to maximize benefits and minimize any adverse effects. After the session, you may notice positive effects as soon as 30 minutes post treatment but typically improvements begin several hours post-treatment.

The effects of a single session typically last up to two weeks. After a series of six sessions, some people could remain symptom free for several months. We also offer the option of booster maintenance sessions which can be given monthly or a few times per year as needed.

A total of six sessions is recommended within a 4-week period in order to maximize the effects of Ketamine. The repair and growth of new nerve cells over time is what can lead to long lasting improvements in symptoms. However, the total length of treatment depends on each individual’s unique circumstances.

We recommend that our patients continue working with their providers for medication management and/or psychotherapy. If you do not have a psychiatrist or therapist, Padgett Medical can facilitate a referral.

No, ketamine has been proven safe in humans. It has been used for years as a surgical anesthetic in children and in trauma management. Although it has been abused recreationally at much higher doses as a club drug, there is no evidence that ketamine is addictive. In addition, Ketamine sessions will be overseen by a medical professional. Ketamine is currently being used by patients to overcome alcohol and drug addictions.

Ketamine treatment plans vary in cost dependent on treatment frequency. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover sessions. Please contact our office for more information about pricing.

Patients’ should not take benzodiazepines or any prescribed narcotics on the day of their session.

No, there is no need to stop any of the medications you are currently taking.

Sessions are done once or twice weekly for the first 6 sessions. After the first 6 sessions, patients will go on maintenance of monthly, quarterly, or a few sessions per year depending on individual condition.

Contact the office at 813-888-7710 to schedule your appointment and get started today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and go over the treatment process with you.

Ketamine is a very safe drug. There are very few side effects, very few medication interactions, and most patients tolerate the ketamine very well.

Patients commonly admit to feeling tired following an session. Occasionally patients experience nausea or a transient headache, which is relieved by an additional anti-nausea medication or oral Tylenol/NSAIDs. Side effects from the session are typically short lived lasting usually only a few hours. There are no reported long term side effects with ketamine therapy.

Typical antidepressants take weeks to months to work. These medications have many common side effects: weight gain, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, and emotional blunting to name a few. If depressive symptoms are resistant to traditional oral antidepressants, the gold standard for treatment, ketamine is an effective alternative. Patients are able to experience relief within hours after a treatment session.