Ketamine Treatment for Cassie

Cassie has been suffering from a severe depressive episode for nearly a year. She has a wonderful support team of nurses, doctors, and therapists but the normal treatment plan isn't working for her. This has lead to a diagnosis of treatment resistant depression  (TRD). She has been admitted to a hospital for suicidal ideation twice in the last year, most recently in August 2020. She tried electroconvulsive therapy  (ECT) treatment but experienced severe side effects, including headaches, confusion, and short term memory loss.

Cassie has two remaining options for treatment: transcranial magnetic stimulation  (TMS) and ketamine infusions . She is waiting to hear if she can start TMS treatment, given the side effects ECT that she is still experiencing. Even if she could start TMS immediately, improvement may take weeks. Meanwhile, the nearly constant suicidal ideation is still present and she is exhausted from fighting it.

That leaves ketamine infusion as the only available option that can provide immediate relief. Ketamine is believed to stimulate a reset in the brain's dopamine functions and stimulate the development of new neural pathways. It has been proven to dramatically reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in 70% or more of patients. The infusions are performed in a clinic under a doctor's supervision and are generally very safe. Unfortunately ketamine infusion is currently considered "off label" treatment and is not covered by insurance. A full course of treatment is 6 infusions that cost $500 each.

While we can afford to start treatment, it will be a significant financial burden to complete the full course of treatment. We really need help to get this treatment so that Cassie can start to feel healthy and enjoy her life again.