I’m about to have my first spravato treatment this week and I am soooo nervous about it. I am pretty sure that I will be crying already when I arrive for the treatment as that’s what I do when I’m anxious. Is that going to be a problem? Also what should I expect afterwards - will I be able to eat when I get home or will I be too nauseous. I have to eat every 3-4 hours because of a blood sugar condition. TIA!
Hi everyone,
I'm beginning with my first Spravato treatment today. I have been researching a lot about what to expect, been reading people's testimonies, and had an in-depth talk with my psych about the treatment itself. My main anxiety is the 'high' that is a byproduct of this treatment. I am not a big fan of losing the grip on my reality but can deal with it. My main issue is the patterns and other minor distortions in reality. I might be blowing this way out of proportion and the treatment might turn out better than my expectations, but anxiety of any kind of hardly rational :')
So I'm would love to know what should I realistically be expecting *during* the treatment? I completely understand that every person will have their unique experience but reading about them might ground me better.
Also, any tips to help calm down during the treatment? I have ADHD and I need to be doing something to feel same. I'm thinking of sketching and drawing because it may help me to focus on something that I like.
Thanks!
I’ve been doing spravato for a little over a month now and I feel like it’s not working and I’m still so back and forth with how I’ve been feeling. Just a lot of ups and downs and wanted to see when people really started seeing a difference even though I know it does depend on the person. Any insight would be helpful
I'm starting Spravato soon and want a reality check from people who've actually done it.
I have treatment-resistant depression (high 30s on the scale, basically non-functional). Every treatment I've tried so far has been hyped up by the doctors running it and then done nothing for me. TMS was the most recent, I thought it was a coinflip, they told me 70% success rate, I saw other patients respond well, and then I got nothing. One of the techs later mentioned that long-term depression often responds less, which I wish someone had said upfront.
For those who've been through Spravato:
Trying to walk in with realistic expectations, not hope I can't afford to lose again.
Has anyone noticed that the sprayers seem to be better lately? The second dose seems to actually be sprayed out rather than just dribble out like before. I’m not sure if they actually changed them or not so I was curious if other people noticed as well.
I'm 50, and I was diagnosed at 48. My Spravato treatments brought back to me that my autism was very apparent when I was very young. My dad did something out of anger that made me pay attention to him, and pulled me out of my head.
I guess my question is: Have your treatments brought back memories that are from toddler age range?
It's very strange. My whole life I was taught to not be who I was so much, I actually forgot who I started life as. Now, that I'm beginning to remember, I'm trying to reconcile what I want to what society wants.
Society never approved of me, why should I care what it wants?
Thanks for listening. Be well.
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I wanted to share my experience so far with Spravato because it has genuinely changed the trajectory of my life. After decades of major depression and persistent suicidal thoughts, I finally feel like I’m coming up for air.
I’ve been on Spravato for about 2 months now, and the shift has been profound. For the first time in as long as I can remember, the constant weight of depression has lifted. The intrusive, hopeless thoughts that used to dominate my days have quieted to the point where they barely show up at all.
What surprised me most is how much I’ve come to look forward to each treatment. I treat the sessions like intentional inner work. I put on instrumental space/stoner rock, close my eyes, and let myself drift into the experience. I set intentions around positive affirmations and use the time to gently work through old patterns. Sometimes I even push myself to revisit triggering memories — and instead of spiraling, I’m finding it easier to reframe them and let go. It feels like my brain is finally learning new pathways instead of looping the same painful ones.
Outside the clinic, the changes are showing up in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve gained motivation again. I’m taking care of myself in ways I used to only talk about. My emotions feel balanced instead of overwhelming or numb. And maybe the most meaningful part: I’m reconnecting with empathy and genuine care for others. It’s like parts of me that were shut down for years are waking back up.
I’m not claiming everything is perfect or that the work is done — but for the first time in decades, I can honestly say I see light ahead of me. And that’s something I never thought I’d be able to say.
If anyone out there is struggling or considering this treatment, I hope my experience gives you a bit of hope. You deserve relief, and you deserve to feel alive again.
Any tips on getting insurance in the USA to pay for this? I have done ketamine iv in the office for the six week session they recommended but it was to expensive to go back, insurance covered some of tms but that’s was over $2000 for those sessions. They keep denying new medications that are costly telling me to pay out of pocket which is like $1000-$3000 a month! I was on rexulti which was working after trying 10 other medications and over 20 in my life. But then last month they decided they won’t pay anymore and told me basically to bad after multiple reattempts from the doctor and sending detailed record and everything they r saying I need a dementia diagnosis at 40 to qualify. It’s ridiculous I pay so much money monthly for people to decide what’s right for me instead of my doctor. Sorry for the rant but any tips would be appreciated thank you
I am writing this because I found it helpful reading other peoples posts about their experiences.
M, 50, I have been living with treatment-resistant depression with suicidal ideation since high school. Meds will work for a few months and I will feel great and then it just stops and all the bad stuff comes up. I am currently on Effexor, Wellbutrin, Abilify and (Adderall for ADHD). My current talk therapist recommended I try Spravato.
Bad stuff is I like to beat myself up in my head. Your no good, better if you were not here, etc. The way I like to describe it is there is a door in my head and all the bad thoughts are on the other side of that door. They are knocking. Sometimes loudly. My current meds would keep the door shut but I still hear the knocking. Some days the door would open a crack.
Spravato. I have just finished my first 12 treatments (2 x per week for 4 weeks, then 1 x per week for 4 weeks). I could tell a difference by the 2nd or 3rd treatment. The door vanished. Along with all the bad shit that was behind it. If a bad thought enters my mind it immediately goes away and I feel like "That was a stupid thought!" and I go about my day. Suicidal thoughts are non-existent now.
For me the treatment is a double edge sword. The "high" and "trip" is fun for the 45 minutes it lasts. You *have* to stay 2 hours so they can make sure your not having a bad reaction. After that you are tired and not really able to do anything but sleep when you get home. It has thrown a big wrench into family and work life. (BUT, well worth it!) I am *very* lucky to have awesome work and family support.
I didn't want to make this too long so feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Here or in private chat.
I started Spravato 2 weeks ago and I don’t have a therapist. During my appointment with my psychiatrist, he said I should get a therapist.
The problem is that iv tried countless therapists over the past 15 years and I hate them all. I hate talk therapy. It doesn’t help me. I don’t need to process things. I don’t need to talk about my feelings. I don’t need someone to tell me how to think. I’ve tried CMT and I don’t like it. I love tried DBT and I don’t like it. I’ve tried EMDR and I don’t like it.
I’m glad it helps other people, but it’s just very much bot for me.
Does anyone feel the same? Are there other techniques that help you besides talk therapy? Or should I just continue to do my own thing? Thanks
What I was looking forward to the most, before starting this treatment, was "having a trip". I have never used any drug recreationally before so I was dying to see what the glory is all about.
But nope. Nothing.
My body feels heavy and unsteady and my eyes don't see so well in the first hour for sure. My mind however, is as clear and steady as a cloudless sky. No softening of will or hallucinations of any form. In fact, since all my senses got sharper from the effects, any sound, taste, and smell can trigger my annoyance, not enjoyment.
Kind of disappointed that I didn't benefit from the "sensory indulgence" aspect of ketamine lol.
This actually pertains to my husband, not myself.
We have both been looking so forward to him being able to begin spravato treatment. I've tried not to get my hopes up but everything we read made it sound like this may actually be the thing that helps him get out of the crippling depression and anxiety he's been experiencing.
He completed his 3rd treatment yesterday, and each time he goes, he tells me that its not unpleasant... because he just naps the whole time. Last week his first 2 treatments were back-to-back days (Wednesday and Thursday) which I thought was odd to begin with. The following 3 days were ROUGH, with him expressing to me that his SI was worse, and he was searching for reasons not to harm himself. We worked through it, and got to his session yesterday (Monday) and it was the same. 2 hour nap, then awake and normal.
I guess I'm just looking for experiences. Is this normal? Should he continue? Should we be telling his psychiatrist and therapist about it? I just want to support him the best I can.
Kaiser psychiatrist referred me to Spravato after body rejected about 20 different Rx's. Results were fantastic. 3 visits after my one-month induction period, I'm just as burdened by my quartet of negative side effects. Contrary to advice, they do NOT get better: annoying nausea, insomnia, headaches and constipation. Not to mention in-session rabid diuretic need to pee all the time. I am given not 1 but 2 Zofran prior. Also chew on 2 Nauzene tablets towards end of session. Last visit the uber home made me super carsick. Needed to vomit, but nothing came out (due to not eating much prior I guess). There are medical & OTC antidotes (more Zofran, Ambien, Miralax + Magnesium Citrate + Senna, etc; Tylenol) to all those side effects, but they each have issues that fry my seemingly frail 68 y.o. body. I think it's not worth it anymore and may quit. Too bad, it was such a marvelous exploration that increased my empathy, awareness, happiness, understanding and appreciation of others and life in general. So many more attributes. Wish my body could tolerate it. Do any of you endure those symptoms? Did you stick with it or give up like I'm about to?
I've been going to Spravato for two years now. The effect during the sessions is nothing like it used to be. Though I realize it is still working I'm wondering if how strongly I inhale changes the effect. The only thing I specifically do is direct the spray to the side of my nostril. At this point if my vision gets any better during sessions I might need a coloring book.
Meditation or lyric-free music or lyric-based music?
Which have you found to be most useful for your healing during session, and why?
I saw things mankind wasn't ready for but I was, stuff like lost advanced technology, and more
I have been on Spravato since the beginning of this year. I feel it is helping, I see posts about taking Auvelity with spravato and am curious. I have taken wellbutrin in the past and i think it helped some but my psychiatrist at the time thought it was increasing my anxiety and stopped it.
I have trouble with fatigue. Can you drive on auvelity? (non spravato treatment days)
First time caller, long time listener. Thank you to everyone who shares on this forum as I and many others have gotten a lot out of it. I know it can be challenging to discuss for some so I take that into consideration when reading.
My past few sessions have been very difficult psychologically. I've been having a hard time not spiraling and fixating on things I am unhappy with in my life (work, relationships, state of the country / world, etc.). Anyone else struggle with this? I took a hydroxyzine today in my session to help calm my nerves and racing thoughts. Additionally, I am premenstrual and a beloved local friend of ours was killed this weekend... I'll spare the details but it's got me very upset and I can't stop thinking about them and what may have happened (waiting on answers). I recognize these things may affect my experience. I’m about 4 weeks in a twice a week (missed last Friday's session so just once last week). I have experienced some calm / clarity / relaxation but overall I find this treatment to be uncomfortable and not very enjoyable. I bring things to comfort myself with and have taken a lot of tips from this forum, and understand there are many potential experiences that can happen in sessions. A wide range.
Anyway... anyone else experience anxiety, doom spiraling, fixating on problems / aspects of your life you're unhappy with? It's been so hard the past two sessions. I’m going to hang in there but damn. It's been rough. Is this normal / expected? How do you cope other than just hang on until the ride is over?
Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any replies and support. Wishing you all success and happiness in your healing journey.
*editing to clean up my typos - this was shortly after a session and I was whirly
The doctor terminated my treatment I got until June to find a new provider because they wanted to charge me 4000 dollars for twice a week when my insurance pays for it. They took me off for two weeks gave me the wrong blood pressure medication and didn't talk to my psychiatrist at all. Now I asked about the payment they want and I get terminated from the office practice. Today i experienced something totally different with the treatment I felt unsafe and like I was in panic mode. So coincidence that I'm having this experience after they terminated my case. People meaning other client coming into my space another client in the hallway talking on the phone I feel my space was evaded and I feel unsupported after all this happened someone please help me
I wrote an entire post about my success with trying different things during treatment, but I forgot to mention something I think is important.
I’ve incorporated rocking and swaying side to side (you can do this sitting or lying down, there’s good information about how to do it here) and it feels *really really good* during session. I do it in a seated meditation pose and sway side to side. I like to have my arms outstretched, or with my elbows pointing out and hands on my shoulders, it feels great on my back and I don’t know how to explain it but it just feels calming and great, like how some yoga teachers will call a pose “yummy.” I just intuitively tried it one day and haven’t stopped. Just a few minutes is plenty. The key is intuitively do what feels good and get into a rhythm and go with the rhythm. On the spravato it almost feels involuntary, like my bodies natural rhythm is moving FOR me, or I’m being physically guided.
Anyway, I googled it and there’s a ton of information about how rocking and swaying are calming and good for your nervous system. I have CPTSD and I’ve been feeling better since I started adding these things, my PHQ-9 scores have gone down more, my clinic noticed and told me, and I told them it’s been since I started trying different things like this! Give it a shot!