*The FDA has not approved intravenous ketamine or NAD+ for the treatment of any psychiatric or pain condition. These articles reference off-label use. Like all medical treatments, the discussed therapies carry risks and benefits. Speak with a doctor at Clarus Health to learn if these therapies may be right for you.
Ketamine for Fibromyalgia
IV Ketamine can provide valuable pain relief to patients with fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia affects 1-5% of the population yet we have no consistent treatments for it. We know that women are affected more commonly than men, especially between ages 20-55 years old. Learn how IV Ketamine can provide valuable relief to those struggling with fibromyalgia, independent of its powerful anti-depressant effects. This is fundamentally different than other forms of Ketamine, like oral and intranasal.
Fibromyalgia: A Medical Mystery
Symptoms of fibromyalgia are varied and can include:
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression and anxiety
Unlike many other conditions, there are very few, if any, laboratory or radiology clues of fibromyalgia. The reason for the chronic pain likely involves disordered pain regulation in the spinal cord, sometimes called central sensitization. Pain is over amplified and anti-pain signaling is dampened.
Ketamine and Fibromyalgia
Ketamine has at least 3 effects that may explain its effectiveness in treating fibromyalgia.
- Sensory neurons are molded by chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia. This "remodeling" occurs in a part of the spinal cord called the "dorsal horn." This causes hypersensitivity to even mild stimuli, and it is dependent on the activity of the NMDA receptor. This is one of the receptors that Ketamine is involved with.
- Patients with fibromyalgia have higher concentrations of glutamate (a potent neurotransmitter) in the parts of the brain that process pain. Importantly, Ketamine modulates the activity of glutamate throughout the brain and spinal cord.
- Ketamine's neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord may also contribute to resetting pain perception in patients with fibromyalgia.
The medical community is learning a tremendous amount about both fibromyalgia and IV Ketamine for chronic pain treatment. It is important that your doctor is staying up-to-date with the latest research.
Chronic Pain Treatment for Fibromyalgia is Different than Mental Health
To change the pain-amplification in the spinal cord, higher doses of IV Ketamine are needed. These doses are only safe to give with IV Ketamine. Oral and intranasal Ketamine cannot achieve these necessary doses safely.
Furthermore, these Ketamine doses and durations are typically higher than those used for mental health conditions. These doses require an anesthesiologist or emergency room physician to be present at all times. These doses are not safe to infuse without a specialist trained in IV Ketamine.
The frequency of IV Ketamine for fibromyalgia also differs from "booster" schedules used for mental health conditions. infusions tends to be roughly 1-2 times a month, though this depends on many factors.
You Deserve to Find Healing from Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a challenging condition with many emerging treatment options. You deserve to grow and heal from fibromyalgia with your innate healing potential. Schedule a free consultation with Clarus Health to learn if IV Ketamine Therapy may be effective in healing from your chronic pain.
Anthony Kaveh MD
Dr. Kaveh is a Stanford and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist and integrative medicine specialist. He has over 800,000 followers on social media and has guided hundreds of patients throughout transformative healing experiences. He is an authority on Ketamine, NAD, and SGB therapies. He is a registered continuing education lecturer in the Bay Area.
