According to the American Migraine Foundation, 12% of Americans suffer from migraines. Migraines are characterized by moderate to severe throbbing pain felt particularly on one side of the head. The pain can cause nausea and sensitivity to light, loud noises and physical movement. Some migraine sufferers also experience aura migraines, which can result in vomiting or diarrhea and vision that has zigzag lines, flashing lights or blind spots.
A single migraine can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, which can severely reduce one’s quality of life. People who suffer from migraines are labeled as either episodic or chronic sufferers. Those with episodic migraines have 14 or less headaches per month, while those who suffer from chronic migraines- 3-5% of Americans– have 15 or more headaches per month with 8 of them being migraines.
What causes migraines?
Migraines are caused by atypical brain activity which negatively impacts the brain’s nerve signals, blood vessels and chemical levels.Common migraine triggers include:
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Intense exercise
- Bodily tension
- Dehydration]
- Caffeine and alcohol intake
- Bright lights
- Smoke
- Flickering screens
- Loud noise
How can I treat my migraines?
Common migraine treatments include:
- Painkillers
- Botox
- Vitamins and supplements
- CGRP antagonists
- Triptans
- Acupuncture
Not only do many patients report little migraine relief from standard treatment options, but 5-10% of migraine sufferers have refractory migraines, which don’t respond to any standard treatments. This is why many turn to ketamine infusions for migraines.
Is ketamine IV infusion therapy for migraines an effective migraine treatment?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that binds to NMDA receptors in the brain, which prevents pain signals from being sent from the body to the brain. However, what makes ketamine unique is its ability to enhance neuroplasticity and neural connectivity, which means that the brain is able to create new neural pathways, effectively restructuring itself.
Most people who suffer from migraines dislike traditional migraine treatments because they only provide slight, temporary relief. With a series of ketamine treatments, you can receive significant short-term relief because it binds to opioid receptors, as well as long-term relief because it can help your brain create new neural pathways that prevent future migraines.
In fact, 77% of migraine sufferers find relief with ketamine therapy with results lasting 1-3 months after treatment.
When it comes to ketamine treatments, there are three main methods:
- Ketamine nasal sprays for migraines
- Oral ketamine
- Ketamine IV infusion therapy
Regardless of the treatment method, ketamine is given in low doses, so most patients report little to no side effects. However, ketamine IV infusion therapy is recommended as it has been proven to reduce pain levels in refractory migraine patients by 66% after a single 8 hour treatment.
At Staten Island Ketamine, we specialize in ketamine for pain management. Lead doctor, Dr. Anurag Bhatia M.D., is a board certified anesthesiologist with over 30 years of experience in interventional pain management. He has been rated a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly since 2017 and is dedicated to treating fibromyalgia patients.
Together, we will work with you to create a personalized ketamine infusion for fibromyalgia treatment plan. If you’re ready to experience life pain-free again, give us a call to schedule an appointment or make one online.