Wondering what you need to do to prepare for your upcoming infusion? In this blog post, we provide ketamine infusion instructions for our new patients.
If you are a new patient to KureIV, you will be required to complete a few documents and bring them with you to your first appointment. All patients will be required to complete a Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) prior to each visit. The HSQ is a tool that allows our pain physicians to know more about you as a patient, understand how pain is affecting your life, and also to track the effectiveness of the treatment provided at KureIV.
NOTE: The Health Screening Questionnaire is available online from our website so you can fill it out at your convenience. In the event you do not have access to the internet to complete the HSQ, please plan to arrive at our office a minimum of 15-20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to fill out the HSQ.
See also: 7 Ways To Know If Ketamine Is Right For You
At KureIV you can expect to receive care in a safe, friendly and professional environment with experienced physicians. All of our ketamine infusion therapy services are provided in a comfortable, spa-like clinic designed according to high quality standards.
We want your body and mind to be at its best going into the infusion – so make sure to get a good night of rest the day before. Drink plenty of fluids the day before and please don’t drink any caffeinated beverages. You can drink clear liquids up until 2-3 hours before the infusion but nothing solid by mouth. In fact, you should avoid eating any solid foods for six (6) hours before the infusion.
See our blog post on common ketamine infusion questions.
Do not drink ANY alcoholic beverages over the course of receiving your infusion. Why? Because alcohol, when taken with low-dose ketamine, could harm you. At the very least, alcohol might actually blunt the response that ketamine could offer because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. So, PLEASE NO alcohol.
Patient privacy is fundamental to this experience; you will receive treatment in a private room and although you do not need to have someone remain with you during the infusion, some patients find additional ease in the company of a relative. During your infusion, you will be sitting or lying down for one to two hours. The dosage of ketamine used during the infusion will not put you to sleep. If you are already sleepy and are feeling very calm and relaxed during the treatment, you might drift off for a short nap.
If quiet time makes you uncomfortable, remember to bring your favorite music to listen to. Please don’t bring any books or streaming movies from Netflix or hand-held video games such as Fortnite. Your objective at our clinic is to be relaxed, not hyper.
See also: The Most Common Ketamine Side Effects
You will be constantly monitored throughout your treatment for your safety. When ketamine is administered in a controlled medical setting by a trained physician, it is safe.
When your infusion is completed, please make sure to have someone available to drive you home. You may not drive (DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF HOME) or operate heavy machinery until the next day but you will be able to return to “normal activities”. Please avoid hyper-stimulating activities after the infusion such as 3D/IMAX movies, loud concerts or parties, or loud/intense community events.
After your infusion, for at least the rest of the day but ideally for the next 24-48 hours) you want to keep all activities low key and relaxing. You can continue your regular diet and medications after discharge. And please, do not make important financial decisions and other important decisions for the next 24-48 hours after receiving your infusion.
See also: How Ketamine Treatments Work at KureIV
If you have questions about our ketamine infusion instructions – or concerns about what you can, or cannot do, during the next 24 hours after your procedure, please ask the nurse or physician. Make sure to write them down and bring them with you and our team will discuss them with you prior to the infusion.
If you have to need to reschedule, please do so by calling our office at (832) 598 – 5100,
24 hours prior to your appointment.
