| Subject: Re: rsd/low dose ketamine treatments |
Author:
Charles
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Date Posted: 18:28:48 01/25/06 Wed
In reply to:
Laura
's message, "Re: rsd/low dose ketamine treatments" on 13:12:33 01/13/06 Fri
>Hi Marg,
>
>This is my first time to the site. Did your husband
>find any relief. My sister has has RSD in all four
>limps for 5 years now and has tried so many different
>treatments without relief.
>
>Just hoping you found something that works
>Laura
Dear RSD sufferers & Family,
I as well have Stage 3 RSD, although it has not spread very far. It started in my right wrist due to median nerve injury about 7 years ago, I to have tried just about everything. The ketamine treatment that you speak of is being performed all over the world, but the best treatment, as far as ketamine hydrochloride goes would probably be the ketamine coma cuurently being performed almost exclusively in Germany, is by far the best coarse of action for most RSD patients. Although it does sound a little scary, it has the most profound and long-lasting effect for most patients. As you might know, ketamine is a non-competitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antagonist with a high affinity for the NMDA receptor. It has an amazing and profound effect in it's ability to prevent pain and anxiety without much respiratory depression. It also has the ability to prevent the dreaded wind-up effect in most neuropathic pain sufferers.Ketamine does have some unwanted side effects such as occasional extreme hallucinations, which is what most doctors fear about this under-utilized drug. This effect can be well-managed with low to moderate doses of midazolam (Versed) or some other fast-acting benzodiazapine.
I myself have never had the funds to fly to Germany and try this newly tested treatment, as it costs about 20-25,000 U.S dollars, and I am just struggling to maintain my prescription costs every month. I however have had many experiences with ketamine-lidocaine infusions, and I must say that it has helped me more than I can tell you about!!!
I have tried almost everything from acupuncture to stellate ganglion blocks and have finally settled on monthly 2 hour ketamine-lidocaine infusions and a steady rate of very specific doses of meds including: 6mg Dilaudid q4 hours, Halcion .25mg nightly, 30-50mg imipramine nightly, Ativan 1mg b.i.d., Actiq 400mcg prn, clonidine .2mg t.i.d, and moderate doses of ibuprofen. I have (luckily) a very great set of doctors- anesthesiologists who understand this awful disease and I still have pain all day, about a 3-4 out of 10 on the pain scale and I sleep about 2-4 hours per night, although I have had much improvement since I was first diagnosed 7 years ago and I now live a somewhat healthy and productive life without much depression. This is also due to the great deal of support I have received from my father and my absolutely drop dead gorgeous and very very loving-caring girlfriend, I could not have made it through all this time without them, I am eternally grateful for everything they and my doctors have done for me!!!! I hope I have answered some of your questions and I will continue to help all of you in any way possible. I wish you all a geat day. Thanx,
Charles
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