St. Louis, MO
+1 314-447-8847
Ketamine
Infusion
Therapy
THE PREMIER PROVIDER OF KETAMINE IN ST.LOUIS
Show Me Care Infusion Therapy uses Ketamine therapy as part of our medical services to help treat a variety of mental health, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative conditions in St. Louis and the surrounding areas.
We conduct a thorough review of your medical history and a physical examination before tailoring a treatment plan to meet your needs. Ketamine therapy can be an effective solution and part of a holistic approach to improve your well-being. We also make sure to address any questions or concerns you may have so you have all the necessary information before beginning Ketamine therapy.
WHAT IS KETAMINE?
Over the last decade, Yale University and the National Institutes of Health identified additional benefits of Ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders and chronic pain. The use of Ketamine for depression has been named "the biggest discovery in mental health in decades."
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has been used since the 1960s with an excellent safety profile. In the last two decades, this medication has been increasingly studied for its ability to alleviate symptoms related to depression, mood disorders, and chronic pain.
Ketamine is known as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Researchers are still searching for exactly how the drug can affect mood so rapidly and effectively, but what we do know is that Ketamine works on glutamate, one of the most numerous neurotransmitters in the body. This increase in glutamate can cause a cascade effect of increased neural activity and communication in the brain. The areas of the brain that have shut down due to over-anxiety and depression are suddenly awakened. Ketamine causes neuroplasticity or new neural growth. This, "rewiring" of the brain is believed to play a part in the lasting antidepressant effects.
There are other receptors that Ketamine is working on as well. These include GABA receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, and a small effect on cholinergic Mu receptors. Along with reversing neuronal atrophy, Ketamine also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Interestingly, the dissociative effects of Ketamine are believed to play a part in the healing process.
KETAMINE INFUSIONS FOR MOOD DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. Traditional treatments include psychotherapy and medication. Ketamine infusions can potentially help by quickly reducing symptoms of anxiety, offering an alternative for those who have not responded to other treatments. It is thought to work by enhancing synaptic connections in the brain and reducing inflammation.
Depression is characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, and can severely affect a person's ability to function. Ketamine has been shown to produce rapid antidepressant effects in some patients, particularly those with treatment-resistant depression. It acts on the NMDA receptors in the brain, which may help to reset neural pathways that affect mood regulation.
OCD is marked by unwanted, recurring thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Standard treatments include therapy and medications. Ketamine might be beneficial by rapidly reducing OCD symptoms through its action on glutamate, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain's response to stress and new learning.
Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Ketamine is sometimes used off-label for rapid stabilization of mood, particularly in depressive phases of bipolar disorder when other medications take longer to work.
Postpartum depression occurs after childbirth, with symptoms like extreme sadness, exhaustion, and anxiety. Ketamine has been researched for its potential to provide quick relief from symptoms, offering hope for mothers struggling with severe cases where traditional antidepressants are ineffective or too slow to take effect.
PTSD follows exposure to a traumatic event and is characterized by severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. Ketamine may help reduce the symptoms of PTSD by decreasing the brain’s response to fear and stress stimuli, providing rapid relief from the condition's debilitating effects.
Indication: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, OCD, PTS, CRPS, Fibromyalgia, Postpartum depression
Treatment of mood disorders requires 40 minute infusion followed by a recovery period. Our mood disorder protocol consists of six infusions, administered 3 times per week.
The pricing for chronic pain treatment is as follows: $150.00 initial consultation fee. This will be applied to your balance if you proceed with treatment. The initial series is $2,100.00 for six infusions and $350.00 per “booster” infusion.
KETAMINE INFUSION FOR CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROME
Chronic migraines are intense and frequent headaches that occur for 15 or more days each month, affecting the daily life and well-being of those who suffer from them causing significant pain, light sensitivity, nausea, and disruption of daily activities. They often resist typical migraine treatments, making management challenging for many patients. Traditional treatments often fail to provide complete relief for sufferers.
Indication: Chronic migraine, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome
Treatment of chronic pain disorders requires a higher dose of Ketamine and a longer duration of infusion time (3-4 hours). Our pain protocol typically consists of at four to six infusions, administered 2-3 times per week.
The pricing for chronic pain treatment is as follows: $150.00 initial consultation fee. This will be applied to your balance if you proceed with treatment. The initial series is $4200.00 for six infusions and $700.00 per “booster” infusion.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Ketamine could help fibromyalgia patients by reducing central sensitization, which is believed to be a pathophysiological mechanism in fibromyalgia.
CRPS is a form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or leg after injury or surgery. Traditional treatments are often insufficient. Ketamine infusions may help by blocking NMDA receptors involved in pain transmission, potentially reducing pain and improving quality of life.
Neuropathy involves nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord, leading to pain, weakness, and numbness. Ketamine may relieve neuropathic pain by its action on central pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord, offering an alternative for patients whose symptoms are resistant to other therapies.
EFFECTIVENESS OF KETAMINE INFUSIONS
Ketamine infusions are thought to be effective due to their ability to modulate neurotransmitters quickly, unlike traditional treatments that can take weeks to have an effect. They are particularly noted for their rapid response in reducing symptoms in various conditions, especially where other treatments have failed.
KETAMINE CONSULTATION
Clinically-proven Depression treatment! The symptoms of Depression can place a massive burden on a patient and their family.
Ketamine infusions offer hope for a major reduction in your depression symptoms.
First-time patients must book a Pre-Ketamine Consult prior to your first infusion. This consult reviews your history and determines whether Ketamine is an appropriate treatment option.
Referrals are not required*, but you must be established with a mental health or primary care provider prior to starting treatment.
A credit card is required to HOLD this appointment. Failure to show (virtually or in-person) for this appointment or if you cancel less than 12 hours in advance it will result in a $40 charge.
YOUR KETAMINE EXPERIENCE
Prior to the first infusion our provider will provide coaching on the history of ketamine, how ketamine works for mood disorders, the possible side effects of ketamine, expectations for the experience, instruct you on how to navigate the journey, and answer any additional questions. An IV will be placed, monitors will be applied, and baseline vital signs will be obtained.
During the infusion, we will monitor your vital signs and assess your comfort level throughout the process. Patients report various changes/experiences during the infusion including cool extremities, hypersensitivity to sound and smells, sensitivity to light, and a “floating” sensation to complete out of body experiences.
The journey will progress with each infusion and the level of dissociation will impact the experience and the healing process. There will be similarities with each experience, but each experience will be unique and no two infusions will ever be exactly the same.