http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/health/10depress.html

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I scan posts, so that's the best that I could do.

I don't know much about ECT, but I have always feared it. Someone else on here might have a better take.

I've done a lot of drugs in my day but Special K (as it used to be called) is a pretty hard drug. Possible to have a bad time. Never heard of it being used to treat bipolar.
I hope we're talking about the same thing

In the article I read about it it said that it was only being used very short term and only for severe depression in a hospital setting until another anti depressant had time to work. Ketamine is a really hard core drug. I don't think we will ever see it used in an at home setting but hopefully the pharmacutical companies can develop drugs that work in a similar manner that can be prescribed for at home use.

I fell down the K Hole and thought I was dead. Not much fun.

Yes, there have been some studies. I wish I saved that article my boss cut out for me. I do not suffer too much from the depressive side of BP so I put it away somewhere.

The dosing for ketamine would not be given recklessly under medical supervision.I read it was very promising. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I know botox is used for migraine treatments.

It's cat tranquilizer, isn't it?

The only thing I know about Ketamine is that in 'Mexican Odyssey', the Fabulous, Furry Freak Brothers took some, thinking it was Cocaine, only to be told by the guy who gave it to them that ''Oh, thats not cocaine, boys!!! That's ketamine!! It's very decadent!!! What it does, it makes you have a three day nightmare!!!' LOLOL!!!!

Just going on that, I'd STILL take it before I'd resort to ECT!!!
I knew someone who loved ECT and used to beg for it. So, for some, it's a Godsend!!!!

But I have also seen posts on here from people who bitterly regret having ever tried it and who suffer significant and permanent memory loss.

I'd rather take my chances on giving Ketamine a try first.
Have you really tried all the more common AD's that are out there!!?

Whichever route you take, I wish you well and hope it proves to be the right one!!! Best of luck to you!!! (((((Hugs)))))

K, (pun intended), I'm just going to throw it out there one time and shut-up about it. I don't think this is a good idea. You're better off doing acid - I saw some documentary on TV where they were using that to treat mental disorders. Maybe even shrooms. But I think Special K is a real freak-out and it scared the shit outa me.

Isn't Ketamin a horse tranquilizer? I think I remember that from somewhere.

And from someone who has had over 60 ECT treatments over the past 9 years I know which route I would rather go down. Okay I have suffered memory loss, some quite considerable, but it has given me my life back to some degree, acutally, it has saved my life on numerous occasions.

I know its controversial but for treatment resistant depression there was no other option for me. ECT is only to be consider, however, when all other avenues have been exhausted.

While you're discussing this with your Pdoc, ask him or her about Transcranial magnetic stimulation.

It's non-invasive and has shown to be effective for people who have been unable to successfully treat their depression through other means.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies won't cover it and the series of treatments costs about 12 to 16 grand.
But maybe there's studies going on somewhere?

I'd rather try this than ECT and maybe rather than the Ketamine, too!

Good luck!!! (((((Hugs)))))

I have had ECT, had 12 treatment in a wk and a half. the permanent damage it has caused me, I would not recommend it to anyone.

I do know people that it has worked for. Which is great for them, I just know more that are in the same place as me.My house is full of sticky notes, my care, my husband's p/u, my purse and still I have to pick up the phone and ask my husband. It has done damage in other ways as well. At the time this was done, I was in no condition to sign the paperwork, my pdoc at the time showed my husband some video then talked to him, convinced my husband that this was the "miracle cure" I would no longer need meds, I would be back to "normal" on and on so my husband signed the papers. I had to stay at the mental hospital while they were being done. Was supposed to rest wehn I got back from hospital after having the treatment and get tylenol on a regular basis, Neither happened. I hurt so bad, I would cry and cry, I was exhausted. Worst experience. It has been 8 yrs now and it just gets' worse what this has caused. Horrible

As for the Ketamine...I would have a deep deep discussion wiht my pdco. I know there is the untreatable depression that they do this extreme treatment with. Just I myself, am not sure I would do it either.

I fight my depression hard hard, because anti depressants I can't take because they send me into mania that puts me over the roof tops and who knows what type of mania at any given moment int will be. I also know not everyone can do this.

I wish you the very very best of luck in what every you decide. My heart truely goes out to you. Just shows that we all have this, but howit differs for each of us at the same time...

Big (((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

Injection medication is the best medication. You do not suffer the highs and lows with it.
In Australia it is called Clopixol. 100ml once a month is a miracle
and keeps you out of hospital for sure but.....................................
go to a church pastor for councilling so that you can pray over
the traumas in your life or otherwords the things in the closet
you have never talked about........that way you can move on and
LIVE!!!!!!! a good life ahead of you. xo

Ketamine and valium I.V. injections are one way to used to sedate for surgeries or proceedures that do not require gas anaesthesia. At least for the felines.