Migraines

Ketamine Therapy: The Best New Migraine Treatment in Spartanburg, SC

It is estimated that migraines impact more than 10% of people around the world, and occurs most often in those ranging in age from 20 to 50 years old. In a recent survey, it was found that women (17.1%) were 3 times more likely to develop a migraine than a man (5.6%).

At Upstate Ketamine & Wellness Center, we are excited to offer ketamine treatment for chronic migraine headaches. In addition to high levels of safety standards and patient care, our goal is to help bring innovative new treatment options to those in our community who need it most.

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What Is A Migraine?

Migraines often occur on one side of the head and can cause intense headaches that involve throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation that can last hours.

Some people experience warning signs that indicate a migraine may be developing:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Impaired speech
• Blind spots in their vision
• Flashing lights
• Tingling in the extremities or one side of the face

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What Are The Four Stages of A Migraine?

Prodrome

Occasionally, warning signs will signal a migraine attack as early as a day or two ahead of time. These signs can look like this:

• Depression, euphoria, or other mood changes
• Increased thirst or feeling like you need to urinate
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Frequent yawning
• Constipation or difficulty with a bowel movement

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Aura

Not everyone who deals with migraines will experience this stage. Auras are a warning of sorts, also known as revocable nervous system indicators. Primarily visual, they may include other disruptions. The symptom starts gradually, builds for several minutes, and persists for 20 minutes to an hour. Here are some examples of migraine auras:

• Trouble speaking either words or whole sentences
• Hearing music or noises
• Unruly jerking or wild movements
• Visual cues – seeing bright spots, shapes, flashes of light
• Temporary loss of vision
• Tingling sensations in leg or arm
• Numbness or weakness in one side of the body or the face

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Attack

The migraine attack itself lasts anywhere from four hours to three days if untreated, but the duration varies based on each person. Migraines might happen rarely or occur many times a month. With a migraine, you may experience:

• Excruciating pain on one or both sides of your head
• Sensitivity to sound, light, sometimes touch and smell
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain that pulses or throbs

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Post-drome

The migraine attack itself lasts anywhere from four hours to three days if untreated, but the duration varies based on each person. Migraines might happen rarely or occur many times a month. With a migraine, you may experience:

• Excruciating pain on one or both sides of your head
• Sensitivity to sound, light, sometimes touch and smell
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain that pulses or throbs

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How Does Ketamine Help With Migraines?

The exact mechanism that leads to ketamine treating the symptoms of migraines is still not entirely understood by research. Research suggests that it produces an antidepressant effect by targeting the brain’s NMDA receptors. By connecting to those receptors, ketamine may amplify the number of glutamate neurotransmitters in the space between neurons.

Glutamate then interacts with the AMPA receptors. Together, these receptors bring about the discharge of multiple molecules that boost the brain’s neuroplasticity — essentially, ketamine infusions allow the brain to reset and restore meaningful nerve connections.

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Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment for Migraines

As a new treatment option for migraines, ketamine has a few minor side effects. These can include a dream-like feeling, double or blurred vision, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, and slight anxiety feelings after being given a dose. This treatment method is not in development because this is an FDA-approved drug utilized for “off-label” or less typical use.

An “off-label” use indicates a treatment that the FDA did not initially authorize. The FDA approves prescription medications only for specific uses, but most medications at some point develop off-label uses as a result of the clinical experience that develops in time.

As a good example, the medication Prazosin’s purpose was to treat hypertension in 1976. Still, it is now mainly used to treat nightmares in individuals with PTSD, a use that was not initially approved.

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What To Expect During Your Ketamine Infusion

During treatment, we go above and beyond to make sure all of our patients feel as comfortable as possible in their own private rooms. Infusions typically last 45-60 minutes for mood disorders, while chronic pain conditions like require a larger dose.

A number of our patients refer to a “dissociative” effect, and most of our patients respond positively to this sensation. In many cases, this disassociation effect is what aids with your treatment and delivers a positive response to ketamine therapy.

These are all ordinary components of the treatment. You will always remain in a safe atmosphere with our team there to monitor you and be readily available during your infusion.