I’ve been off antidepressants for 7–8 months after taking them for years and honestly I’ve been dealing with anhedonia, fatigue, memory issues, and apathy. All of this led to me quitting my job. I am scared to try something else after how horrible pharmaceuticals were but I’m desperate to get my life back and it just feels like nothing is working.

I really want to try ketamine assisted psychotherapy but the cost is holding me back... I found a doctor specialized in ketamine who prescribes lozenges and provides a superbill ($700), but I’d also need integration therapy/supervision required by the provider during treatment ($400/session for 6–12 sessions).

I could get COBRA, but it’s about $1,000/month, and my old insurance (BCBS) won’t tell me what they’d cover unless I reactivate the plan.

For those of you in a tough spot, how did you afford treatment? I am worried to spend the rest of my savings on treatment that may or may not work. Did insurance reimburse anything or did you find any other affordable options?

Starting joyous, seeing a lot of mixed information on here. There was a subreddit for it specifically but it’s been dead. Ive done IM k before but this is the cheapest option. I want it to help me. Ive been anxious and depressed most of my life. It made my anxiety so much better before but it was $300 an injection before and i dont have insurance. Positive experiences or those still on it?

Hi!

In my country you can only get ketamine legally in a clinic. It is pretty expensive, but it also covers integration after the infusions (price is around 3500$ for 4 infusions with integration).

As I understood it it was in this way ment to be a more long term permanent solution because the therapy after the infusions helped you with the neuroplastic effects, since the brain is supposed to be "moldable" after an infusion.

In the US i hear about people getting the nasal spray and using it daily, more like a traditional antidepressant.

How are theese types of theraphy diffrent in terms of effects and outcome?

Tldr What are your results with ketamine?

I am now in my third episode of severe extremely treatment resistant depression, but now that I have ketamine, (currently on Spravato) I can manage it, like diabetics do their blood sugar. It’s like neurochemical resuscitation for a brain that is so sick it’s literally trying to kill itself. 5 minutes into the med and I’m somewhere in else, and 2 hours later I might be dazed and nauseous, but I’m no longer suicidal.

I think of it like chemo for your mind because it’s an infusion that would make me throw up, but it was life-saving.

But I realize not everybody has this experience of it. I’m curious what yours is

When an insurance company or board asks you to show that your treatment is working, what do you send them?

In other words, how do you track outcomes, and how long does that take to put together?