If you have fibromyalgia, chronic pain is likely a part of your daily life. Living in pain makes it extremely challenging to work and enjoy your favorite activities. Fortunately, there is hope. Promising research shows that chronic pain treatments such as ketamine therapy can provide effective long-term relief. Here’s what you need to know about this treatment and how it can improve your life. 

Top 3 FAQs About Ketamine Treatment for Fibromyalgia Patients 

1. What Is Ketamine Therapy? 

Ketamine has long been used as an anesthetic, but it’s only relatively recently that this medication has been used for chronic pain treatments. For this reason, many fibromyalgia patients have basic questions about what ketamine therapy is and how it works. Ketamine is an anesthetic used to treat depression and other long-term conditions. Fast-acting and efficient, it works by blocking the NMDA receptors, or pain signals to the brain. It can also activate opium receptors and increase norepinephrine and serotonin, all of which will further reduce pain and depressive symptoms. 

2. Why Is It Useful for Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia causes a number of symptoms, including migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties, but by far the most prevalent symptom is chronic pain. Ketamine helps reduce pain and depression associated with the disorder by blocking pain receptors, and specifically glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter which researchers have linked to fibromyalgia, depression, and other disorders. With frequent, repeated treatments, typically a few times a week for several weeks, patients may experience a significant reduction in symptoms, improving health and quality of life. Ketamine therapy may also help reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis associated with fibromyalgia. 

3. How Does Treatment Work? 

During ketamine therapy, you’ll receive a very low-dose infusion via an IV in a private room in your doctor’s office. The infusion typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your symptoms and condition. Treatment is relaxing, and you may feel drowsy afterward, in addition to feeling less pain. 

If you have fibromyalgia, consider chronic pain treatment from Ketamine Center of Connecticut in Milford, CT. These compassionate professionals are experienced in using ketamine therapy to treat a variety of conditions including OCD, PTSD, depression, and fibromyalgia. Call (203) 701-6388 to speak with a compassionate team member or visit the website to learn more about their services.