Migraines Q & A

Migraines are more than just headaches. They cause throbbing pain and disabling symptoms that can last for days. In addition to severe pain that usually affects one side of your head, migraine symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light.

Refractory chronic migraine is an especially severe type of this condition that doesn’t respond to treatment. But groundbreaking research from Thomas Jefferson University shows that ketamine infusion therapy provides effective and fast-acting relief to people suffering from chronic migraines. 

Ketamine is a well-known anesthetic medication that acts on your brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. 

Our experienced team at the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane delivers a low dose of this medication intravenously to provide rapid relief from severe neurological and psychiatric conditions, including chronic migraines, depression, and suicidality. 

Ketamine acts quickly and may provide significant improvement after only one treatment session. But individual results vary, and many patients need about six infusions over the course of three weeks for optimal relief. 

INITIALIZING TREATMENT

• We will perform a brief interview and physical assessment to make sure nothing has changed with your physical condition.
• We will ask you to use the restroom and then get comfortable in our quiet, peaceful treatment area.
• An IV line will be started to infuse the medication. You will be connected to all of our monitoring equipment before we begin.
• We will be monitoring your vital signs during the entire infusion.
• The infusion time will be approximately 40 minutes. During this time we will not disturb you. However, we will be observing you to ensure your safety. You may listen to music and relax as it feels best to you.
• When the infusion ends, we will monitor you for any adverse side effects and ensure that you are adequately recovered prior to going home.

DAY OF TREATMENT

• Please wear clothes that are comfortable and also provide full access to your arms.
• Feel free to bring some music to listen to during your infusion.
• Most patients feel it helps or enhances the treatment if they don’t speak and close their eyes during the infusion.
• You will need to have someone accompany you and stay during your treatment. They will also be required to drive you home afterward.
• You may not eat anything 6 hours prior or drink anything for 2 hours prior to your infusion or we may need to reschedule your treatment.

OPTIMIZING YOUR TREATMENT

• Coordinating with your MHP is one of the best ways to optimize your treatment.
• Benzodiazepines can ‘compete’ with Ketamine. To get the best benefit, it is best to discontinue this class of drugs before treatment.
• Be prepared to be in a quiet and comfortable space for at least 1 ½ hours following your infusion.
• We recommend a series of six infusions to be given within 3 weeks. Our team will be with you every step of the way to ensure your treatment has the best chance of success.
• After the initial series of infusions, many patients only require an occasional top-up or ‘booster’ according to their individual needs – ranging from once a month to once a year depending on when and if your symptoms  for some conditions reoccur. 
• For migraines the schedule is much more variable depending upon your exact condition. We’ll work hand in hand together on designing a tailored plan that caters specifically towards your requirements.