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Thread: Ketamine and "off label" medications

  1. #1
    Beetlebum
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    Ketamine and "off label" medications

    I'm just wondering if anybody has been prescribed ketamine for their depression. I know it is not officially licensed for this purpose but it does appear that the nasal spray, Esketamine, will be approved in the UK next year (as it has been in the US).

    I was on Pregabalin for about three months a few years ago as I had heard it was good for treating anxiety in particular. However I just found that it mostly made me tired so I stopped taking it.

    I asked my psychiatrist a couple of years ago if I could try Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is approved as an antidepressant in many countries but in this country is used only as an aid to help people quit smoking. However he told me that it would not be prescribed (I forget why exactly).

    I have tried all the major SSRIS, SNRIS and none of them really helped. I would be grateful to know if anybody else is on either of the aforementioned medications as GPS do appear to be somewhat inconsistent in the way that they apply the rules (perhaps even to the extent of bending them in some cases).

    Thanks,
    Rob.

  2. #2
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    Hi Rob and welcome to DWD.
    Are you sure you've tried all of them? There are so many and there are different combinations etc which work for different people. Have you ever seen a psychiatrist of had talking therapy?
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  3. #3
    Princess Sparkles Paula's Avatar
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    Hi Rob and welcome. I’m on 2 antidepressants, a mood stabiliser and pregabalin (for pain but also works on anxiety). It took time to find the right combination to help me but we got there. Personally, I would make sure I’d tried all those routes before looking elsewhere
    The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

  4. #4
    Guardian of the North and kipper holder Angie's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome Rob
    If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving.
    Quote by Martin Luther King JR

  5. #5
    Head Groundskeeper OldMike's Avatar
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    Hi Rob, I'd explore every avenue before trying off piste medications.
    77 and counting, less of the "Old" call me "Mike"

  6. #6
    Beetlebum
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    Hi Suzi, thanks for the reply. I had CBT a few years ago but I did not find it helpful. I was told that no other talking therapies were available on the NHS (a sign of these enlightened times we live in). I can't afford to pay for counselling so that is not an option.

    I failed to mention that I am diagnosed with ADD for which I am diagnosed Elvanse (Lisdexamfetamine). This does slightly improve my mood but only for a few hours.

    I do believe my depression is at least partly due to a chemical imbalance so no amount of talking is ever going to alter that. And I have taken just about every major antidepressant on the market over a period of 30 years so I am reluctant try more of the same again.

    Hi Paula and thank you for the reply. There are those of us who are believed to be resistant to conventional antidepressants. It is these people who were selected on recent trials for Ketamine as this was the main criteria for inclusion . I was declined because apparently I had not a full psychiatric assessment (whatever that is) prior to being seen.

    Thank you Angie.

    Thanks Mike. I think I have pretty much explored every avenue which is why I am looking at alternatives.
    Last edited by Suzi; 27-10-19 at 10:09 PM. Reason: Merging posts, please try not to double post! :)

  7. #7
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    I'm surprised you were told that there was only CBT, there are loads of different talking therapies available.. Have you told your Dr/consultant that the meds are only helping for a few hours? What did they suggest?
    Have you asked your Dr about getting an assessment done if that's what needs to happen?
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  8. #8
    Princess Sparkles Paula's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beetlebum View Post
    There are those of us who are believed to be resistant to conventional antidepressants.
    I am one of those who are resistant, hence why I’m on such a combination (at very high doses). But these combinations could only be originally prescribed by a psychiatrist. Perhaps it’s worth getting a second opinion?

    Hunni, I’ve had a ketamine treatment before for chronic pain. It was the single worst medication experience of my life - I would never consent to that again - please understand what you might be getting into before going down that route ......
    The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Paula For This Useful Post:

    Suzi (28-10-19)

  10. #9
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    I was hoping you'd reply about your infusion Paula as I remember talking to you after it.... I remember how you described it and it certainly isn't something I'd consider lightly after what you had to say about it...
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Suzi For This Useful Post:

    Paula (28-10-19)

  12. #10
    Beetlebum
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    Thanks Paula and Suzi. I have heard some bad things about the Ketamine infusion and this is why during the trials people are often treated in hospital or have a responsible adult to supervise them in between visits. This did frighten me slightly but this has to be balanced against the number of people who have had no serious adverse effects and have reacted positively to the treatment when all other treatments appeared to have failed in the past.

    I guess it's just a case of weighing up the pros and cons and making a calculated risk. All medication involves a certain amount of risk, let's face it.

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