Infusion Therapy //
The Pain Management Institute offers infusion therapies as part of our comprehensive pain treatment plan.
A little About infusion therapies:
Infusion therapies for chronic pain have been in use since the 1960’s, but have grown in popularity in recent years as new research has proven their safety and effectiveness for multiple disorders. These treatments have been used for a variety of chronic pain conditions including nerve pain (neuropathy), chronic lumbar or cervical pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), Central pain, migraines, and chronic sciatica. Several different types of medications have been used for infusion therapies, including Ketamine. Ketamine in particular has grown in popularity because of its efficacy in treating many refractory chronic pain syndromes that previously had little available therapies. The Pain Management Institute offers these infusions at our Washington, DC location in a comfortable and relaxing setting.
Before the infusion:
After an initial comprehensive evaluation, a plan is formulated for the patient. The different pain management options are reviewed with the patient, and the best treatment option is tailored to the patient’s need. If infusion therapy is chosen, the procedure is scheduled in our DC office.
On the day of the infusion:
We will have you arrive in the morning to our DC office so paperwork can be completed and your medical history reviewed by the doctor. Please bring a list of all your current medications. We ask that you refrain from eating after midnight the night before the infusion, but you can drink clear liquids up to two hours before the procedure. Take all your medications that you normally take up to two hours before the procedure. Bring all your medications to the office with you on the day of the infusion. If you suffer from diabetes, bring along with your medication a snack with you to the office.
You will need a driver the day of the infusion as well. After the initial review is finished, an IV is placed and the infusion is completed over the course of several hours while you are being monitored by the doctor and a medical assistant. At the completion of the infusion the IV will be removed and you will be monitored in the office before being discharged home with a driver. The entire process usually takes between four and five hours.
After the infusion:
Immediately after the infusion you may feel tired. Some patients also report slight nausea, headaches, or sedation afterwards as well. These are side effects from the infusion and are typically mild and usually wear off within a few hours of finishing treatment. Medications will be given before your infusion is started to help mitigate these effects.
The response to IV infusion therapy varies, but typically most patients will feel some relief in the days to week after the initial treatment. Many patients will require several treatments to see full benefit. Benefits can be long lasting and your response and recommendation for further treatments will be discussed at follow-up visits with the doctor.
Infusion therapies can be an excellent option for appropriately selected patients. If you are interested in learning more about this treatment and whether you are a candidate, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Caleb Kroll at the Pain Management Institute in either the Washington, DC or Bethesda, MD office.
References:
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Niesters M1, Dahan A, van Kleef M. Safety and efficacy of ketamine for pain relief. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2016;160:D58.
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Pickering AE, McCabe CS. Prolonged ketamine infusion as a therapy for complex regional pain syndrome: synergism with antagonism? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Feb;77(2):233-8
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Niesters M, Martini C, Dahan A. Ketamine for chronic pain: risks and benefits. Niesters M, Martini C, Dahan A. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Feb;77(2):357-67
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Noppers I, Niesters M, Aarts L, Smith T, Sarton E, Dahan A. Ketamine for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2010 Oct;11(14):2417-29.