The treatment was good today – although a little more
painful than the others, but I'm thinking now that I may have been too reclined
in my ‘treatment throne’ (as I like to call it – AKA a chair).
So let’s see, I was going to share with you a little about my
adventure to Bethesda, Maryland (in 2009 – I think).
I actually made two trips to Bethesda, the first time I was
only there for a month or so, but had to come home quickly as my mom’s heart
surgery didn’t go too well. Thankfully she, after lots of time, tears, and
prayers, recovered. Needing to get home to my mom quickly, the wonderful people
at NIH not only arranged my flight back to Calgary in the middle of the night,
but they also paid for it. Following her recovery (not sure how long), I
returned to Maryland to continue the drug trial (again they paid for my travel).
From NIMH website: The study is to examine whether Ketamine
can cause a rapid-next day antidepressant effect in patients with Major
Depression/Bipolar Disorder. “Purpose:
This study will test whether a single dose of ketamine - a drug that blocks a
brain receptor called NMDA - can cause a rapid (next day) antidepressant effect
in patients with major depression. Several medications are effective for
treating depression; however, they take weeks or months to achieve their full
effects. A more rapidly acting antidepressant would have a significant impact
on the treatment of depression. In a previous study, ketamine produced a rapid
antidepressant effect within hours, but the effect lasted less than 1 week.
Understanding how ketamine works may lead to a better understanding of the
causes of depression and the design of a longer lasting rapidly acting
antidepressant.”
It was an amazing experience, where I met many amazing
people and made some great friends. I am not even sure how to explain the
adventure.
It all started with
me doing online research into new treatments for Bipolar Disorder, as none of
the conventional treatments were working. I happened upon the National
Institutes of Health website, and the Ketamine study. I figured the American
organization wouldn’t allow a Canadian to participate, but I decided what the
heck and sent an email to the contact listed. To my surprise, less than a week later, I
received a call from NIH. Over a few weeks several phone interviews were conducted, and
then they decided I would be a good candidate to come to Bethesda for a face to
face interview. I was told to pack for several months, in case I was accepted.
As mentioned above the NIH paid for my flight to the facility. I was picked up
from Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, by a cab sent by NIH, and
after about an hour and a half arrived at a very nice hotel in Bethesda,
Maryland. I was to spend my first night in Maryland, at the hotel and head over,
via NIH Shuttle, to the NIH Campus in the morning.
When I arrived at the Campus, in the way too early morning,
I was in complete shock and terrified. The facility is HUGE. It is the size of a large town, and to get in
you have to pass through an intense security protocol. You are searched, luggage is searched, and the
vehicle is searched, which involves a quick bomb residue test. I was given a temporary access badge at the security check-in, and then we
continued our drive up a long drive way to this immense building.
When I arrived inside, I walked across the giant atrium of
this amazing building in complete awe. I checked in, signed some papers, got
some information, had my photo id made, and was then escorted up to the unit
that I would be staying in. Once upstairs
in the unit, I was welcomed by some staff and asked if I wanted some breakfast
while I waited; I was pretty freaked out, so I passed on the food. Several
things transpired that morning, I met the doctor that I had spoken with on the
phone, had a complete physical, was assigned a room, donated a ton of blood so
they could test it for every illness known to man, and had a six hour (slight
exaggeration) meeting with another psychiatrist to ensure that my diagnoses of
Bipolar Disorder was correct (and they agreed it was, plus they added Anxiety
Disorder – like I needed more problems J). The days that followed included many medical
activities; like daily talks with the nurse assigned to me, art therapy, and
relaxation sessions. They also let me access their physio, and neurological
team, as I was struggling at that time with my back issues (it was amazing - let’s
just say, at noon they decided they wanted me to have an MRI, and by 2pm I had
it).
There is so much stuff. I don’t think one blog post will do
it justice, so I think I will continue this in tomorrow’s post. I have some
pictures and information of nonmedical things that I was able to access. It was
an incredible experience – Oh and I haven’t even spoken about the actual event
of taking the Ketamine J
Until tomorrow people…….
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