If you have fibromyalgia, you know how difficult it can be to find a treatment that works consistently. What’s more, some treatments — like medications — have unpleasant side effects of their own that can add to your discomfort.
But there’s good news: Ketamine infusion therapy is proving very effective for many women and men suffering from the physical and emotional effects of fibromyalgia. The key is to seek therapy with a skilled provider to ensure you reap all the benefits you can.
Zaid Malik, MD, and the team at Superior Pain Relief offer custom-tailored ketamine infusion therapy for patients in Spring, Houston, Baytown, Willis, and The Woodlands, Texas, helping relieve fibromyalgia symptoms safely and effectively.
Here, we explain how ketamine treatment works for fibromyalgia patients and what to expect during an infusion appointment.
Firbomyalgia, which affects about 6.4% of Americans, causes widespread pain and tenderness. Although researchers don’t know for sure what causes fibromyalgia, they believe it’s associated with overstimulation of the central nervous system, resulting in enhanced perceptions of pain.
Fibromyalgia tends to occur more commonly among women, and it’s also more prevalent among older people and people with autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Many people who develop fibromyalgia do so after an injury or an infection, which may act like a stimulant on the central nervous system.
In addition to widespread physical discomfort, fibromyalgia can cause emotional symptoms, like depression and anxiety. Dealing with chronic pain on a regular basis is bound to take a toll on mental health, gradually making it more and more difficult to cope.
Once used solely as an anesthetic, ketamine has found a new purpose in recent years as a treatment for chronic pain and treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Ketamine works quickly but without the side effects of many pain-relieving medications.
Researchers believe ketamine works in several ways to help relieve chronic pain symptoms. It blocks pain receptors to reduce your perception of pain. It also increases production of a neurotransmitter chemical called glutamate. This chemical helps lessen pain reactions while also improving mood regulation, reducing the feelings of depression and anxiety that often make pain feel worse.
In addition, ketamine promotes neuroplasticity and the development of new neural connections, helping to reverse some of the abnormal signaling that may contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms. Ketamine also helps reduce inflammation that plays a role in chronic pain proliferation.
During your infusion session, an IV drip delivers ketamine directly to your bloodstream. This method allows ketamine to go to work right away, without being diluted by your digestive system. Many patients experience relief within 24 hours. You can repeat infusions as necessary for long-term benefits.
Fibromyalgia causes pain, emotional issues, and reduced quality of life. If past treatments haven't worked, ketamine infusion therapy might be your answer. To learn more, book an appointment with Dr. Malik and the team at Superior Pain Relief today.
