Mental Health

Pain Medicine Consultants

Pain Specialists & Spine Specialists located in Corte Madera, CA & Pleasant Hill, CA

Ketamine infusion therapy is an innovative and powerful solution to address chronic pain, anxiety, depression, stress and PTSD. The team of Harvard-, Stanford-, and Mayo Clinic-trained doctors at the three locations of Pain Medicine Consultants offer ketamine infusion therapy, along with all of the latest and most advanced interventional pain management and minimally invasive spine care treatments available today. Contact us to book an appointment at the Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, or Corte Madera, California, office today.

**Update_May 2024: Exciting News for Our Veterans!

Pain Medicine Consultants is proud to announce that we have partnered with the VA to provide Ketamine infusion therapy for depression, now covered by VA health care insurance at all our locations in the San Francisco Bay Area: Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, and Corte Madera, CA.

Mental Health Q & A

What are ketamine infusions?

Ketamine infusion therapy is a simple in-office procedure at Pain Medicine Consultants. Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that interacts with the same brain receptors as opioids, dopamine, and antidepressants, and it yields both physical and emotional benefits for many patients.

Ketamine therapy can help with a number of problems, including:

Neuropathic pain
Chronic neck or back pain
Severe fibromyalgia
Severe depression
PTSD

Your Pain Medicine Consultants doctor could recommend ketamine infusions as the next step if you haven't gotten good results from other injections, nerve blocks, and oral medication.

Ketamine is safe and effective when used in a controlled environment and in carefully measured doses, as is the case at Pain Medicine Consultants.

Am I a good candidate for ketamine infusions?

If you're taking benzodiazepine drugs, for example Xanax®, or amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall®, you can still qualify as a candidate, but your doctor will recommend that you don't use those medications on infusion days.

Most patients who need pain or depression help but don't get relief from other treatments are good candidates for ketamine infusion as long as they're in good health. If you have uncontrolled severe chronic health conditions, you might not qualify, but your doctor can often tailor your treatment even if you have health problems like diabetes or hypertension.

What is the ketamine infusion process like?

The ketamine infusion process is simple and straightforward. You'll lay comfortably while your doctor connects an IV to either your arm or leg.

You get the ketamine medication, mixed with saline, through an IV over about an hour. You'll be awake for the whole infusion. There's a 30-minute recovery period before you can go home after your ketamine infusion. Arrange for someone to drive you home, as you can't drive for 12 hours after treatment.

How many ketamine infusions do I need?

It depends on your symptoms, your conditions, and how your body responds to the ketamine. Most patients at Pain Medicine Consultants have a series of treatments, and typically see significant results after several treatments.

Take the next step towards lasting pain and depression relief by using the online scheduler or calling Pain Medicine Consultants for your appointment now.

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