Will I require ketamine therapy for the rest of my life?
After the standard initial treatment of 6 infusions, most patients report immediate relief. In most patients, after continued work with their mental health provider and lifestyle modification this is all that is needed. Others may require a booster infusion after one month, some at 6 months, but many not at all.
What should I expect during my ketamine infusion treatments?
Each infusion experience is unique and very personal for every patient. Our Advanced Care Provider will explain the process both during the initial consultation and before the infusion. Generally, patients feel very relaxed following an infusion. On rare occasion, some may experience nausea afterwards. If so, we have medication to relieve these symptoms and if you are prone to nausea, we can administer anti-nausea medication before the infusion to prevent it.
Any mild side effects usually dissipate within a few hours and are completely gone by the following day. We recommend to each patient to just relax and take it easy the rest of the day after the treatment. There are no long-term or permanent side effects following medically supervised IV ketamine infusion therapy.
What does it mean that ketamine is being used ’off-label’ for treatment of mood disorders?
Although medical professionals are technically going ‘off-label’ when using ketamine to treat patients with mental health disorders and chronic pain, as many as 40% of all written prescriptions in the US are ‘off-label’ use, to include such things as the use of antidepressants for pain, anticonvulsant medications to treat Fibromyalgia, or anti-emetics to treat migraines. In the case of ketamine, there are many clinical trials providing evidence supporting the successful use of this drug to treat those who suffer from chronic pain and depression when nothing else can.
Is Ketamine infusion therapy addictive?
No, it is not addictive. In fact it is safer than many prescribed medications.
How much does it cost, and does insurance cover the treatment?
How long is the infusion?
You can expect to be at the AKS clinic for approximately 1 to 2 hours. The length of the infusion will depend on your diagnosis and protocol, but most infusions will be 40 minutes to one hour. After the infusion you will stay for another 30 minutes to recover.
Do you offer financing for treatment?
Yes! We now are proud to offer two convenient options to help finance your treatments to achieve better mental health.
Advanced Care Credit
Advanced Care Credit offers up to 14 months of 0% interest. Advanced Care Credit is an easy and affordable way to help you pay for treatments not covered by insurance.
United Medical Credit
Thousands of patients have trusted United Medical Credit to secure affordable payment plans for their procedures. United Medical Credit can do the same for you.
Some of the benefits of choosing United Medical Credit to finance your care:
- Extensive Network of Prime and Subprime Lenders
- Multiple Plans to Choose From
- Decisions Within Seconds
- No Prepayment Penalties with Flexible Terms
- Fast and Easy Application Process with No Commitment
- 100% Confidential
- Plans available for Credit Challenged Applicants
Do I need a referral to be treated at AKS?
You do not need a referral, but ideally we would work closely with your doctor or mental health provider. We will, however, request to review your medical records to see if ketamine infusion therapy is right for you. We will also need to obtain a brief depression and/or chronic pain assessment before initiating therapy.
Can I eat or drink before my appointment?
We advise that you do not eat solid food for 6 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. You may have clear liquids such as water, clear broth, apple juice etc up to 2 hours before your appointment.
Can I drive home after the treatment?
No. We require that every patient has a ride home or utilizes a rideshare. If you are brought here by a friend or family member, they are welcome to wait in our comfortable waiting area until you have recovered from your therapy.