If you’re one of the 39 million people who have to put their life on pause because of recurrent migraines, ketamine therapy might be a treatment option for you. At Anesthesia Services of Meriden in Branford, Connecticut, Frank Ferrer, MD, uses ketamine infusions to help stop existing migraine pain and prevent new migraines from occurring. To determine if ketamine therapy is right for you, call Lighthouse Wellness Center.
Call: 203-399-2123Text: 860-918-4073Migraines Q&A
What are migraines?
Migraines are a severe type of headache that causes an intense throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. You might also become more sensitive to light and sounds, have blurry vision, and find it difficult to work or tend to your other responsibilities for one or more days.
While there’s no clear understanding of what causes migraines, your genetics might play a role in your pain. If migraines run in your family, you’re more likely to have them too.
There are also known triggers that can increase your risk of developing this type of headache. Common migraine triggers include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Strong smells
- Bright lights
- Hormone changes
- Poor sleep quality
If you overuse certain medications or caffeine, you might also be at risk for developing frequent migraines.
When should I seek treatment for migraines?
Many people can manage migraines on their own with lifestyle and diet changes, and medications. However, people with chronic migraines (15 or more migraines a month) might not get sufficient relief from these conservative therapies.
Dr. Ferrer specializes in ketamine infusion therapy to treat existing migraine pain and reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. He can evaluate your current treatment plan and determine if ketamine infusion therapy is an option for relieving and preventing migraine headaches.
How does ketamine infusion therapy treat migraines?
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that helps sedate people during surgery. In lower doses, ketamine is an effective pain management option for different types of severe and chronic pain, including migraines.
The medication binds to the pain receptors in your brain to prevent them from sending out pain signals.
Dr. Ferrer delivers ketamine into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. He customizes your treatment plan based on the severity and frequency of your migraine headaches and generally recommends a series of infusions over several days.
Many people enjoy the pain-relieving benefits of ketamine therapy after their first infusion. Your results can last several months before you might need additional treatment. The side effects of ketamine infusion therapy can include dizziness and hallucinations. These issues are typically mild and resolve soon after your treatment is complete.
If other treatments aren’t working for your chronic migraines, find out if ketamine infusion therapy is right for you by calling Lighthouse Wellness Center.