ABOUT KETAMINE Therapy
Ketamine therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for depression, particularly for individuals who have not responded to traditional antidepressants. Unlike conventional medications, which can take weeks to show effects, ketamine can provide rapid relief, often within hours of administration. It works by modulating the brain’s glutamate system, promoting neural plasticity, and restoring synaptic connections that are typically impaired in depression. This unique mechanism makes ketamine effective for treating not only major depressive disorder but also conditions like bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression. Patients often experience a significant reduction in depressive symptoms after just a few sessions, providing a new avenue of hope for those struggling with severe and chronic mental health challenges.
In addition to its use in treating depression, ketamine therapy is also gaining recognition for its effectiveness in managing chronic pain conditions. By acting on NMDA receptors in the nervous system, ketamine can help reduce the transmission of pain signals, offering relief from conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. The analgesic effects of ketamine are often long-lasting, even after the treatment has been completed, making it a valuable option for patients who have exhausted other pain management strategies. Moreover, ketamine’s ability to alleviate both emotional and physical pain underscores its potential as a holistic treatment option, addressing the complex interplay between mental health and chronic pain.
Ketamine for Depression and Pain
After receiving the diagnosis of treatment-resistant, major depressive disorder from a qualified practitioner, the patient will be scheduled for ketamine infusion therapy under the direct supervision of a physician anesthesiologist.
Depression therapy is twice weekly for 3 weeks.
- Patients will receive a History and Physical examination within 30 days of their infusion therapy with the goal of that one examination to encompass the entirety of their treatment.
- Patients will be examined and assessed for appropriate physical and cognitive condition immediately prior to therapy per the standard ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) guidelines.
Prior to each infusion:
- Patients will complete a survey assessing side effects of the treatment to determine tolerance.
- Patients will complete a depression self-assessment questionnaire based upon PHQ-9 criteria for their clinical response to ketamine therapy. This will be used to determine efficacy.
- In the unusual circumstance of a patient not responding to ketamine infusion therapy by the 3rd infusion, we will recommend discontinuing treatment.
Infusion Therapy
- Patients will undergo therapy in a private room. We encourage bringing a comfortable blanket, music, support person, etc to use during the infusion.
- We advise patients to eat a very light meal or drink a carbohydrate beverage (Gatorade, apple juice) within 2 hours of treatment.
- Dose: 0.5mg/kg of intravenous ketamine administered over 45 minutes. This dose is often adjusted based on the patient’s response to therapy.
- Patients will be monitored using ASA guidelines for pulse oximetry, heart rate and non- invasive blood pressure.
- Medications to treat possible but transient elevations in blood pressure and heart rate will be immediately available.
- Patients will be monitored for recovery for approximately 20-30 minutes following the infusion.
- Patients will be discharged with an appropriate caregiver who will provide transportation for them.
Costs of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy for depression and pain is often not covered by insurance. However, we suggest that patients check with their insurance provider about reimbursement.
Across the state, there is a wide variety of pricing for infusions ranging from $400-$1500 per infusion. We are striving to keep costs to patients on the low end of that spectrum so that we may allow as many patients as possible access to this therapy. In addition, if a patient is not responding to therapy within 3 infusions, we recommend terminating treatment so that other options may be explored.
When examining the costs a severely depressed patient faces in medication, hospitalization, lost work and impaired productivity; the cost for a series of ketamine infusions with Ketamine Infusion and Wellness Specialists is very reasonable. There is a movement to educate legislators and insurance providers about the exciting results ketamine therapy has produced in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression. We hope to see this therapy covered by insurance in the near future.
Depression: $600 per infusion; 6 infusions for the treatment regimen.
Pain: $750 per infusion for a 2 hour session.
In the unusual circumstance there is an inadequate response to treatment for depression after 3 infusions, we will recommend discontinuation of infusion therapy.
REFERRALS
Payment is collected and appointments are held at the office of Ketamine Infusion and Wellness Specialists
525 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
970.778.3753
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
After almost 20 years of intense struggling and trying every medication, treatment, therapy, and option I could I was extremely hopeless and deeply suffering with persistent depression and suicidal ideation…While ketamine infusion is not a magic bullet, the most relief I have ever experienced from my symptoms since their onset has come from this treatment. I feel I have the capacity to heal and progress and continue other treatment with this newfound relief and restored hope that there is something out there that could help…. I cannot recommend (Ketamine Treatment) or Dr. Pennell enough. Dr. Pennell and her team are beyond compassionate, flexible, and invested in the success and improvement of the patients they see. The experience with Dr.Pennell is the most positive I have had with a medical professional. I have never felt so heard in my life or safe with the person I was entrusting my care to.
Dr. Pennell was patient with our questions and very thorough in her responses. She possesses an incredible ability to comfort weary mom’s and hopeless teens. The treatment was such an interesting experience for both my son and me. The IV was easy and painless for him, and once the drip started, I journaled the process of my son’s dissociative experience. Dr. Pennell would come back in the room often to check on us both, and made sure we were comfortable and safe…Six months later, my son is ready to meet almost any moment with intention and purpose. He is no longer depressed, and even struggles to remember the days when it seemed he’d never feel different or better at all.
There’s no real proper way to thank someone for saving your child’s life, but we are forever grateful. I hope this helps someone who’s wondering if it’s the miracle they’ve been praying for. It is.
Dr Pennell is, simply put, an angel on earth. She has a knack for easing any doubt or uneasiness. I have had more than a few Ketamine treatments, and each time was explained thoroughly. All of the doctors on the team made sure during each and every session they monitored me and that everything was running smoothly. Follow up texts or phone calls checking on my wellbeing in the days after have never failed. I am loving the new location, it is such a warm, inviting, and safe environment. The recent partnership with Faith Holistic Ventures, is fantastic. I have no words at the progress I have made after a lifetime of searching for the tools to still my brain. I have no doubt my life has changed for the best by having a truly amazing team that cares about my progress and where I am mentally. LOVE LOVE LOVE this business!!!!!
Excellent treatment with highly professional and experienced staff. Dr Pennell is a fantastic doctor! Ketamine infusion therapy is a solid hope for treatment resistant depression
While I was receiving treatment Dr. Pennell came every single day to check in on me and to also talk with my mom who has had over 25 years of experience in the medical field. She is so genuinely nice and pleasant to be around. She truly cares about her patients, and if you show her the respect she deserves, she will show you the same amount of respect. In short, Dr. Pennell is an angel that I would trust with my life.
We had an extremely positive experience with ketamine infusions for one of our family members. Dr Pennell is kind, compassionate and very professional. Trustworthy!
The fact that I’m publicly sharing my story of a decades-long struggle with Depression, Anxiety and the general feeling of “hopelessness” they elicit. Most people do not understand the amount of energy it takes for a depressed person to “fake it ‘til you make it” through his or her day. But for those of you who do, and SSRIs leave you feeling both fat and just numb, then a ketamine infusion is definitely worth a try.
I trust Dr. Pennell. The groundbreaking work she’s doing, simply put, has quite literally saved my life.
My advice: Record your sessions, as well as journal your infusion experience(s). Each infusion for me was similar, yet very different, and sharing/discussing these unique discoveries has been an important part of the process. For example, Ketamine allowed me to safely go places and re-examine childhood traumas with a new “adult” perspective, and after a few sessions discussing these things with my therapist I simply feel great.
Dr Pennell is helping to saves lives. She’s kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, professional and high accessible. I drive a distance and she always fits me in on a day’s notice. The other doctors on staff have also been kind and caring.
Hours of Operation
- Monday - Saturday: 7am - 6pm
- Sunday: Closed