Ketamine infusion therapy

What is Ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine infusion therapy is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain that is neuropathic in nature, widespread, and/or has been unresponsive to many other treatments. Conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), intractable migraine headaches, severe fibromyalgia, failed back surgery syndrome, neuropathy, and others are successfully treated by this therapy. Patients with some of the most treatment resistant pain conditions have seen life changing results with the therapy.

Combining therapy with lidocaine

Our protocol utilizes the combination of lidocaine in addition to ketamine, as both medicines works on different pain receptor pathways and it is believed that they have a synergistic effect when used together. This synergism allows a lower dose of each medicine to be used to further minimize side effects. Encouraging study results have shown this combination to be effective and at least one prospective study is underway.

What to expect the day of the treatment

A typical ketamine/lidocaine infusion lasts around 45 minutes. We will keep you another 15-30 minutes after your appointment so you are completely recovered from the effects of the treatment. You should not drive the same day of the treatment so you will need to have an adult driver to bring you to and from your appointment.

How many treatments will I need?

As data are still emerging as to which protocols work best, we start with a lower dose and gradually increase the dose depending on the degree and duration of relief that is realized. Typically, several treatments are needed within the first few weeks in a stabilization phase to determine the optimum dose. Patients having a good response will then need maintenance treatments every few months to sustain the benefit. As our doctors are all fellowship trained and board certified pain specialists, we will continue to offer other treatments that may enhance your pain relief more specific to other painful conditions you may have, or may later manifest.

At PrairieShore™ Pain Center, our goal is to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. If your primary physician has advised you to see a specialist for your pain, turn to us for help. To schedule your appointment, please contact us here or give us a call at (847) 883-0077.