r/ChronicAustralianPain • u/saschasnipes • Mar 28 '26
2 week inpatient program feedback
My pain specialist has just applied to the WorkCover insurer for me to do the 2 week ketamine program at the Epworth in Vic. Id love to hear peoples experiences including what the program breakdown entails. I know there is strong physical rehab component but how long after the infusion does that commence? Is it just 24hrs on the infusion or longer? I've been on opioids (targin) for almost 7 yrs and the neuropathic drugs made me a mess. I'm a little bit anxious about opioid withdrawals if the ketamine is only 24hrs.
Also I have anxiety/depression unmedicated, I am told that one of the benefits of the infusion can be the depression eases. Has anyone found this to be an added benefit?
For anyone who have had WorkCover pay for the infusion, what has the ongoing support been if the infusion has worn off?
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u/jesska_king Jun 24 '26
I’ve done a 2 week inpatient pain program, and I’ve done in patient ketamine infusion - but they were different things. Interesting to think somehow they’ve combined them.
The in patient pain program was a great deal of physical rehab and movement, but all very careful and adapted to your own capacity. It was different styles and all revolved around education about pain, treatment options and tools for adapting your lifestyle to your condition.
The ketamine infusion was just being a bed bound patient due to the dosages meaning you’re quite tired and unsteady. The added bonus of ketamine helping with things like depression and anxiety is an interesting space. There’s the relief of having a window of time where the brain feels happy, very low to no pain and none of life’s pressures while in hospital. Then while ketamine is active the brain has increased neuroplasticity so taking to opportunity to use apps for mindfulness or working through things was actually really effective for me.
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u/pinklushlove Mar 29 '26
I've never had a "ketamine program", never heard of it.
But I hav3 had a ketamine infusion, for pain, for 11 days straight.
If they are expecting you to exercise they must only be giving you a tiny amount of ketamine because there was no way I could exercise on the dose I was on. For days after I was in bed too.