FAQ

Why Ketamine Therapy, Sugarland and Houston?

First time in Sugarland area a Board Certified, highly qualified and well trained physician is offering an innovative and comprehensive psychiatric and chronic pain management care service for treatment resistant patients by utilizing the emerging field of Ketamine therapeutics. Bakhtiar A. Shah, MD is board certified both in anesthesiology and pain management by American Board of Anesthesiology.

The treatment is only offered to treatment resistant patients and not as a first line treatment. We will utilize the help of a psychiatrist for consultation and initial psychiatric diagnosis and will expect you to continue care with your psychiatrist and the therapist.

How many infusions will I receive?

Based on published studies and professional societies consensus guidelines we are offering an initial set of 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks. Some patients get relief within hours, some within days and some within weeks. But in order to not deny treatment benefits to the late responders we recommend the initial set of 6 infusions.

After that, if you choose, you may have an infusion once every 4-8 weeks or longer as required to keep symptoms under control.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a general anesthetic agent in use since 1970. Because of its unique properties in relieving pain, it was widely used in the Vietnam War and more recently in Afghanistan conflict after its recommendations by Defense Health Board in 2012 and strong endorsement by Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

Is Ketamine an FDA approved medicine?

Yes. For use as an anesthetic and analgesic for both children and adult population. The treatment of psychiatric and various chronic pain disorders, however, will be an off label use.

Is Ketamine Safe?

Ketamine is a safe drug under expert hands but should be given its due respect as an anesthetic agent. That’s why your infusion therapy will be personally instituted and supervised by a physician anesthesiologist. Your vital signs including EKG, BP, Pulse, Oxygen Saturation will be monitored continuously with all the emergency equipment and medications available in an unlikely event of an emergency.

Is Ketamine addictive?

In sub-anesthetic doses used for depression and chronic pain disorders it has not been shown to be addictive.

What will I feel during Ketamine infusion?

For the first few minutes you will not feel anything then you may have a floating sensation. Slight dizziness may be experienced. You will remain responsive and comfortable. Some patients may experience dreaming, with colors and sound becoming vivid. Sometimes oral secretions increase nausea may be felt. All these effects wear off in few minutes after discontinuation of infusion.

How long will Ketamine infusion take?

Typically 40 = 60minutes for active infusion and 20 minutes for recovery. Infusion time will be longer for chronic pain conditions. After that you will be discharged in the company of a responsible adult. Please don’t drive, operate machinery for 24 hours after infusion.