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> did they actually believe that you had real nerve pain The way you phrase this makes me think you've already assumed a whole lot about me. The worst part abo

> did they actually believe that you had real nerve pain The way you phrase this makes me think you've already assumed a whole lot about me. The worst part about chronic pain is all of the doctors and other people assuming you're just faking symptoms for a quick fix. Hoping that I've misinterpreted your intention, I'll answer honestly: > did you have to nudge-nudge-wink-wink at the doctor to get this prescription The complete opposite: It was suggested by my pain specialist. I had not heard of it being used to treat pain before meeting him. And he's not a "Ketamine practitioner" or an "alternative healer" or whatever, it was a from an MD specializing in pain management within a reputable hospital in Seattle. > Could you go in to detail on the exact symptoms of this nerve pain? Bi-lateral burning arm and hand pain and numbness. Severe headaches and neck pain. The symptoms are consistent with conditions such as thoracic outlet, cervical radiculopothy, and median/ulnar/radial nerve compression. However, tests always come back showing completely normal nerve and muscle function, and radiology imaging always shows perfectly normal everything. It's been a multi-decade journey and I'm really coming to terms with the idea that my brain is just signaling pain even when there's no actual problem or damage. That's the idea behind the Ketamine trial. Edit: I should add that this was more like a 3rd or 4th line medicinal treatment. All of the typical nerve pain medicines like Amitryptaline, Gaba, Pregabalin, Noortyptaline, etc have responded very poorly in my body and brain.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
specialist 5y ago
Hugs. I hope you find relief. Please post updates. I have a similar medical history. Having just ruled out another spine surgery, the new plan is to try myofascial release and adjacent. I have no idea if "osteopathy" and such are legit. But at this stage I'll try pretty much anything. I will now also ask about ketamine. FWIW: I've dealt with chronic pain for 30+ years, post transplant, and have somehow managed to power thru it. This nerve pain is different; it's like being constantly interrupted, continuous dazing akin to being punched in the face. I've not been able to compartmentalize it. The only thing that's helped is getting a puppy. Forces me to keep moving.
- skinkestek 5y ago
  FWIW: Just checked you bio, it is wonderful : )
spuz 5y ago
Has the ketamine had any effect on your pain? By the way, I don't think the other commenter was making any assumptions about you - actually just the opposite. Given what you wrote it wasn't clear if you actually suffered from the condition which your doctor prescribed ketamine for or if he made the prescription for nerve-pain knowing it would help you for a different condition. Sometimes doctors do this in order to bypass strict procedures.
- seattle_spring 5y ago
  > Has the ketamine had any effect on your pain? Mixed results. I think the idea is for it to "retrain" my nervous system (I'm sure there's a more scientific reasoning / term), but so far it's only provided short term relief.
Zancarius 5y ago
I like how you responded to the questioner. Very respectful and honest, especially regarding pain. I've witnessed the effects myself and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, because the doctors absolutely assume the patient must be making it up. > All of the typical nerve pain medicines like Amitryptaline, Gaba, Pregabalin, Noortyptaline, etc have responded very poorly in my body and brain. These things terrify me, not gonna lie. My mum had a total knee replacement a few years ago that was a partial failure. She ended up with a DVT despite following the exact warfarin regimen they prescribed and avoiding foods with vitamin K for a week or so. They originally prescribed hydrocodone+tylenol for the pain, but she couldn't take it for long because it would exacerbate her tinnitus. She can't take oxycodone because she vomits almost immediately. So they tried her with tramadol. To this day, I have no idea if it was the combination of emotional and physical distress, or the tramadol, but within a 24 hour period of her first dose, she ended up in the ER with what would be later diagnosed as transient global amnesia. I've read that can be a rare side effect of the drug, but the practitioners I spoke with suggested that was impossible (and maybe they're right; it was almost certainly coincidental). That said, I don't trust these medications. Certainly not when my relatives seem to have a strange array of reactions! For her part, she's sworn off ever taking tramadol again, and had me destroy what was left with the water-activated polymer packets they provide. That's how paranoid she was in the immediate aftermath of that "adventure." I am curious and don't mean to pry: Have you found at least some relief with the Ketamine?

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

specialist 5y ago

Hugs. I hope you find relief. Please post updates. I have a similar medical history. Having just ruled out another spine surgery, the new plan is to try myofascial release and adjacent. I have no idea if "osteopathy" and such are legit. But at this stage I'll try pretty much anything. I will now also ask about ketamine. FWIW: I've dealt with chronic pain for 30+ years, post transplant, and have somehow managed to power thru it. This nerve pain is different; it's like being constantly interrupted, continuous dazing akin to being punched in the face. I've not been able to compartmentalize it. The only thing that's helped is getting a puppy. Forces me to keep moving.

skinkestek 5y ago
FWIW: Just checked you bio, it is wonderful : )

spuz 5y ago

Has the ketamine had any effect on your pain? By the way, I don't think the other commenter was making any assumptions about you - actually just the opposite. Given what you wrote it wasn't clear if you actually suffered from the condition which your doctor prescribed ketamine for or if he made the prescription for nerve-pain knowing it would help you for a different condition. Sometimes doctors do this in order to bypass strict procedures.

seattle_spring 5y ago
> Has the ketamine had any effect on your pain? Mixed results. I think the idea is for it to "retrain" my nervous system (I'm sure there's a more scientific reasoning / term), but so far it's only provided short term relief.

Zancarius 5y ago

I like how you responded to the questioner. Very respectful and honest, especially regarding pain. I've witnessed the effects myself and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, because the doctors absolutely assume the patient must be making it up. > All of the typical nerve pain medicines like Amitryptaline, Gaba, Pregabalin, Noortyptaline, etc have responded very poorly in my body and brain. These things terrify me, not gonna lie. My mum had a total knee replacement a few years ago that was a partial failure. She ended up with a DVT despite following the exact warfarin regimen they prescribed and avoiding foods with vitamin K for a week or so. They originally prescribed hydrocodone+tylenol for the pain, but she couldn't take it for long because it would exacerbate her tinnitus. She can't take oxycodone because she vomits almost immediately. So they tried her with tramadol. To this day, I have no idea if it was the combination of emotional and physical distress, or the tramadol, but within a 24 hour period of her first dose, she ended up in the ER with what would be later diagnosed as transient global amnesia. I've read that can be a rare side effect of the drug, but the practitioners I spoke with suggested that was impossible (and maybe they're right; it was almost certainly coincidental). That said, I don't trust these medications. Certainly not when my relatives seem to have a strange array of reactions! For her part, she's sworn off ever taking tramadol again, and had me destroy what was left with the water-activated polymer packets they provide. That's how paranoid she was in the immediate aftermath of that "adventure." I am curious and don't mean to pry: Have you found at least some relief with the Ketamine?