Am I a Candidate for Ketamine Treatments If I Have Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million adults in the US, mostly women, causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, and sleep, memory, and mood issues. If you have fibromyalgia, you may be more sensitive to pain than someone without the health condition. Many researchers believe the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia change because of repeated nerve stimulation, which causes an abnormal increase in the brain chemicals that signal pain.

At Florida Pain Management Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, pain management specialists Adam Shestack, MD, and Cy Blanco, MD, offer ketamine therapy, which is used to block pain signals from traveling to the brain, making it especially useful in treating chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia.

What are ketamine treatments and how do they benefit me?

Ketamine was originally used as a pediatric anesthetic for surgical procedures, but has been transitioned to use for pain management and to treat depression. Though antidepressants take time to build up in your body and change your brain chemistry, ketamine works immediately to alter the neurotransmitter activity in your brain.

Ketamine has proven effective for treating chronic pain syndromes, especially conditions with a neuropathic component, because ketamine blocks pain signals from traveling to the brain.

You’re a candidate for ketamine if you have tried other pain management techniques like nerve blocks, injections, and medications, without success.

The experienced team at Florida Medical Pain Management Institute delivers ketamine therapy through intravenous infusions administered in the office. The dose is determined based on your diagnosis and the level of pain you experience.

How ketamine helps fibromyalgia

Ketamine attaches itself to brain receptors and prevents the brain from receiving pain signals. Ketamine also creates a euphoric effect because it is a dissociative medication. For patients who have cardiovascular problems, low blood pressure, or respiratory issues, ketamine is often a safer option for pain relief than other painkillers as it doesn’t suppress your cardiovascular or respiratory functions.

Researchers believe ketamine achieves long-term pain relief benefits by rewiring your brain and creating healthier neural pathways. For people with diseases affecting the brain and body, like fibromyalgia, ketamine stops the pain signals and improves mood instability often associated with chronic pain conditions.

The path to fibromyalgia relief with ketamine

If our team determines you’re a good candidate for ketamine, we may recommend a series of IV infusions to deliver a controlled dose of the medication. Treatments take about an hour, and you will need someone to drive you.

To find out if you’re a candidate for ketamine, call the office, or schedule a consultation online.