Why Ketamine Might Be the Right Treatment for Your Migraines
Dr. Nichelle C. Renk is a board-certified and fellowship-trained anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist practicing in Anchorage, AK at the Algone Interventional Pain Clinic. Dr. Renk performs a thorough evaluation of a patient's symptoms, imaging, and physical exam to create an individualized plan for the patient.... more
Chronic migraine headaches disrupt your daily life. Whether your migraines come with or without a pre-headache “aura,” headache days mean sensitivity to sensory stimuli, including light and smells, as well as intense, often localized headache pain.
You may need to miss work or skip important personal or social events due to migraine headaches.
If your migraines are chronic, meaning that you experience at least 15 headache days every month, it’s time to get serious about finding relief.
Dr. Nichelle Renk and her team at Alpenglow Pain & Wellness stay up-to-date with research on interventional pain management. Let Dr. Renk, at her Anchorage, Alaska practice, keep you informed about the treatments and therapies you need to live your best, most pain-free life.
Did you know that the dissociative drug ketamine shows promise as an effective treatment option for chronic migraines? Here’s what Dr. Renk wants her patients to know about ketamine therapy.
Ketamine as a treatment for pain
Ketamine, historically used as a surgical anesthetic, may also relieve chronic pain in therapeutic doses. Ketamine therapy could be what you need to get lasting migraine symptom relief.
Your ketamine infusion therapy at Alpenglow Pain & Wellness uses low doses under controlled circumstances. Ketamine produces dissociative effects, meaning that you may feel relaxed, dreamy, or detached from your body during treatment.
It’s important to have supervision during your ketamine treatment, as this drug can affect your blood pressure, heart rate, and mood during the infusion. Dr. Renk and her team monitor you closely and your vital signs throughout the infusion.
Dr. Renk provides ketamine therapy via intravenous (IV) infusion. IV ketamine bypasses your digestion so it takes effect immediately without any loss in the absorption process.
During your ketamine infusion therapy session, a member of Dr. Renk’s team inserts a small plastic cannula into your vein. It takes some time for your infusion treatment to be complete. You rest in comfort in the clinic during your infusion session.
Migraines, your brain, and ketamine
Migraine headaches appear to be related to activity in your brain and nerves. Researchers have identified changes in your brainstem associated with migraines. Your headaches may also involve activation of the trigeminal nerve, one of the main pain pathways in your body.
Brain chemical and neurotransmitter imbalances may also be connected to migraine headaches.
This includes the pain-regulating brain chemical serotonin, which is present in lower levels during active migraines. Another neurotransmitter, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), could also be connected to migraine headaches.
Your dose of ketamine affects your brain in ways that can reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines. When you take ketamine, selective pain signals are temporarily prevented from reaching your brain.
Ongoing ketamine treatment can even create lasting changes in your brain. That means you feel better right away after your ketamine infusion session. Over time, ketamine treatment may give you lasting relief from your chronic migraine condition.
To learn more about how ketamine infusion therapy can help give you pain relief for conditions like chronic migraines, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more, contact Dr. Renk at Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today. Schedule your initial consultation appointment by booking online or over the phone now.
