So I just found out that I was approved for a new medication trial through my psychiatrist. It's called Spravato and is based in ketamine. That sounds scary since it's primary use was as a horse tranquilizer and a party drug in smaller doses, but it has been modified to help with depression. In my case, it's bipolar depression. I have been watching the clinical trials for two years, and now it has been approved in the U.S. It is showing great promise, but they are still working so the effects will last longer.
It is administered as a nasal spray in a psychiatrist's office, and then I will stay there to be medically monitored for at least two hours due to side effects. For the first month I will go twice a week, and then we will evaluate how it is working.
It is very expensive (about $1,000 per dose), and I was approved for full financial assistance which is the only way I could do this. Plus the doctor has to be certified, and mine is.
I am nervous about the side effects as they are very common (about 70% of patients experience them), and they are things like dissociation, sedation, feeling "drunk", etc. But at this point, I am willing to try almost anything that might help since my body is very medication resistant.
Wish me luck, and I will keep you all posted on how it goes as I go through the process of treatment. Fingers crossed.
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