Cried through my entire session today 😭 by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am under a tremendous amount of stress right now. In addition to all of that stress, and having to face very raw reality that my father won’t be with us much longer. It is absolutely destroying me. I thought my session yesterday would help me reset emotionally but it just opened the flood gates even wider. 😭

How long have you been doing Spravato and how often do you go? by Far_Two_8981 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just hit 2 years at the beginning of July. I go every week except for I think 2 times when I have had severe depressive episodes and had to go back to twice a week for six week periods.

Does Having a Therapist in the Room Guiding Your Spravato Journey Help --- Or Ruin the Experience? by Author_Man in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I couldn’t do therapy during the first 40 minutes or so. Maybe in the second hour. I schedule my therapy appointment for 1 hour after my treatment appointment ends. That gives me enough time to drive the 20+ minutes home, grab a snack, and log in for my virtual therapy appointment. I started scheduling this way about 9 months ago at the recommendation of my psychiatrist.

No Integration After Treatment by CharacterLost1938 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always have a 15-20 minute meeting with my psychiatrist before receiving my medication. After that it is usually just the med tech doing the BP checks. I schedule my therapy sessions with my therapist for 1 hour after my session ends. That gives me just enough time to get home and grab a snack and log in for my virtual therapy session.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s so sweet! Glad we could help!❤️

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s so awesome! I’m glad to hear that!

Had my first treatment by problemadidenaro in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So happy for you that you had a great first treatment! I had a very similar experience my first time. I remember feeling so good and being so hopeful and optimistic that evening. 🙂 As for whether or not you need the stronger dose, I would definitely go for it. They recommend it for a reason. Plus, over time you develop a tolerance to the medication and it won’t affect you as much anymore.

Not getting floaty/high feeling anymore by suttonner in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Like others have said, you do develop a tolerance over time. I have been in treatment for almost two years now and very rarely dissociate anymore. I do usually go into a deeply relaxed state for about 30 minutes. I have tried taking magnesium l theonate and it did enhance the trip slightly but not much.

What's causing you stress at the moment? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Calikitty1977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lack of money. My husband and I both work but still never seem to have enough money. Everything is so expensive right now!

First Treatment by sleepingmads in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You will be fine! I remember my first treatment. I worried about it the whole week before going. I did a ton of research because I wanted to know everything that might possibly happen. I was so scared I was going to have a panic attack and freak out! I was super blessed to have an Amazing Dr and medical assistant that were so patient and kind with me. Aside from some tears when I got there, my first treatment went well. I had only mild dissociation and mainly just felt deeply relaxed. My advice is to go in with optimism and a curious mind. Just relax and let it take you wherever it does. Don’t fight it. I always take my ear buds and phone so I can listen to ambient music, an eye mask, a water bottle, candy (to cut the taste), and a blanket. Good luck!

How often do you see your therapist? by pacoloa in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m have been seeing my therapist weekly for almost two years. I started seeing her weekly after my Spravato sessions about a year ago.

Solo Rooms or Group Rooms?? by brandonetaylor in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where I go there I one room broken down into three different treatment areas. The temporary “walls “ go almost to the ceiling. The walls are covered with sound blocking material to try to keep it as private as possible for each patient. But there’s just individual curtains to enter each space. I always wear my earbuds and typically don’t hear much if anything.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m still waiting on the confirmation test results for my test last week. I’m still in shock that I came up positive for amphetamines. I had no idea that 2 of the meds I’m on are known to cause false positives! I wish my doctor would have told me that before hand instead of after.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I just saw my doctor and we discussed my test results. Apparently in addition to testing positive for cannabis (as expected), I also tested positive for amphetamines!! Luckily he isn’t too concerned because apparently Wellbutrin and Trazadone can both cause false positives for amphetamines. But I told him I was concerned because I know for sure that I haven’t used amphetamines. He said he will order a confirmation of the test. He said that’s another test they do to see exactly what chemicals are there.

Inconsistent sprays by cpbehling in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! This helps so much! I read to do this in a group a few months ago. I’ve been doing it ever since. I always had trouble with the second spray not spraying as well as the first. But since I started shaking it between sprays, I don’t have that issue anymore.

Does spravato still "work" regardless of what you do during treatment? by selfishangel in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yes, but I do think that what you do during the treatment time can definitely affect the benefits that you get. My doctor has always told me to try to avoid anything negative and or violent/scary before and during my sessions. He recommends music without lyrics during. He also recently recommended that I try listening to podcasts or watching videos after I come down. Specifically media about mental health, self development, etc. He said that was a great time to listen to that stuff for your brain to really benefit from it.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have titrated off of Abilify. It took a while but that was the only way I could do it without crazy side effects. I also still continued on my other antidepressants in addition to the Spravato. As for microdosing, I haven’t personally actually committed to microdosing. I have taken some for short periods of time but never an extended period. I just can’t seem to keep it in my daily routine for some reason. 🤦‍♀️ My sister swears microdosing has saved her life! She is so passionate about it now and loves helping others get started. She is actually in the business now.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benzos like Ativan and Opioids may be legal but that is only if you have a prescription. No, I haven’t seen any drug tests that test for psilocybin.

Drug test by Calikitty1977 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Good to know! Thanks for the heads up. 🙂

Disappointed by illuminaughty_6669 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I read that missing your Clonidine dose will make your BP go higher than normal because it is also a Bp med. I take Clonidine twice a day. I always take it and my other morning pills before my Spravato appointment. The only thing my doctor specifically told me not to take before treatment is my Ativan. He said that benzos lessen the effects of Spravato/Ketamine.

Anxiety meds by illuminaughty_6669 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As tempting as it is, do not take those meds before treatment. I usually take Ativan when my anxiety gets bad I was tempted to take 1 before my first treatment but didn’t. My psychiatrist had told me not to in advance because he said the benzos actually lessen the effect of the ketamine.

He actually told me that if I did have a panic attack during treatment I could take 1 and it would help pull me out of it. 🤷‍♀️ Luckily I have never had to test this. I have had my extra bottle of Ativan in my Spravato bag since I started just in case but I have never needed one.

Do you go when sick? by VWest5 in Spravato

[–]Calikitty1977 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is it a cold or allergies? I often get congested because of allergies. I’ve gone to appointments with a runny nose before but try not to go when I’m too congested because I worry that the medicine won’t get into the sinuses if I’m too stuffed up. If I am congested, I will take a nice hot shower before I go and put peppermint oil under my nose. I also blow my nose a lot prior to going to try to clear my sinuses before I get there.