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Ketamine bladder syndrome

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Ketamine bladder syndrome

 Is there anything a ketamine user can do to avoid ketamine bladder syndrome? Is there a way to keep bladder as healthy as possible besides obviously limiting and spacing out usage?

Originally posted in SR 2.0 . Reviewed 20/4/22

Ketamine bladder syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can result from long-term, heavy use of ketamine. Symptoms of the condition include frequent urination, pain during urination, blood in urine, and urgency. The exact cause of the condition is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the toxic effects of ketamine and its metabolites on bladder and urinary tract tissues, leading to inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring.

Toxic effects of ketamine on bladder cells result in oxidative stress and cell death. Chronic exposure to ketamine can cause inflammation, fibrosis, and reduced blood flow to the bladder. If ketamine use is stopped early enough, the condition may be reversible. But in severe cases, surgical intervention, such as bladder removal, may be necessary. Treatment may involve pain relief, bladder retraining, and medications to reduce inflammation and urinary symptoms.

Ketamine has a high potential for abuse and addiction.So, individuals who use ketamine regularly and at high doses are at increased risk of developing ketamine bladder syndrome and other serious health problems.

There are only a few cases of ketamine bladder in non-intensive users of ketamine. Most of them are dependent people using several grams a day. So, limiting and spacing out usage seems to be a very useful strategy.

There are other measures, although their efficacy is theoretical and not based in evidences. Drinking enough water while on K and a day after could help to keep bladder cleaner.

So,it is possible that a simple urine test could detect early symptoms (microscopic blood and other alterations). Probably, very frequent users should take a simple urine test to rule out problems, and go to the doctor if urinary symptoms are present..

It seems likely that ketamine derivatives as methoxetamine involve similar risks

 

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Ketamine as antidepressant

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How can I use ketamine as antidepressant?

Originally posted in SR 2.0 27/10/2013. Reviewed 20/2/22

Ketamine is a drug that works as a non-competitive antagonist at glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Its main use is  dissociative anesthesia. It was found to have antidepressant properties in 2000. Then,  subsequent studies have shown it to be effective in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with a rapid clinical effect within several hours.

However, its antidepressant properties are transient. It lasts around  1 week following a single infusion and 18-19 days following repeated infusions. Ketamine has also been reported to have anti-suicidal and anti-anhedonic actions

Ketamine has been found to have a rapid antidepressant effect in several studies, with multiple meta-analyses concluding that it is effective for major depressive episodes in both unipolar and bipolar depression. While some studies suggest the effect can last up to 7 days, others suggest it may be shorter in bipolar depression. And other modalities of ketamine administration such as intranasal and oral routes have been studied. But their efficacy is less clear.

Intranasal esketamine has been approved by the FDA for major depression that has failed treatment with two or more antidepressants, with studies showing significant improvement in depression at 4 weeks compared to placebo. Ongoing trials are being conducted to track safety outcomes up to 5 years and explore the efficacy of R-ketamine.

Recent studies show that ketamine has strong antidepressant properties. Typical dosage is 0.5 mg/kg intravenous in infussion in 30-40 minutes; oral route seems also effective at that dosage (0.5 mg/kg). The effect is fast and strong but not lasting in time, it disappears in hours or days and further dosages do not reply this effect.

With actual knowledge, Ketamine may prove useful in a select group of patients but current medical knowledge looks to other treatments as the first line against depression
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23661785

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23805864

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23825857

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23893490

 

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Ketamine or methoxetamine

DoctorXFiles

Hi DoctorX!
Great thread!!! I wish every doctor was like you…
I am thinking about trying dissociatives…what should be the safest option…PCP, ketamine or methoxetamine?

Originally posted in SR 2.0 20/10/2013. Reviewed 20/2/22

 

Ketamine is a well known drug, widely used in therapy during 50 years. Recreative use of ketamine has, more or less, 15-20 years. In the last 5 years there have been a lot of scientific reports talking about bladder and urinary problems in ketamine users.So, this was an unknown problem until 2005 (more or less), and has been detected after 15-20 years of recreative, intranasal use. In general, it only affects to intensive users. Ketamine dependence is another problem with this drug.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21155941

PCP was used in medicine from 1920 to 1950 and it was finished then because of its adverse side effects, such as hallucinations, mania, delirium, and disorientation. In fact ketamine has its substitute, because it has less adverse effects. PCP has been linked to neurotoxicity in animals, but it is not probably extrapolable to humans.

Additionally, PCP can be lethal in overdose, this event is much less likely with ketamine.Methoxetamine is a very new substance. We don´t know anything about its pharmacological properties and toxicity in humans, although there are reports of problems linked to its use:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23111916

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22578175

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22205276

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23349353

Considering overall risks and benefits, probably ketamine is the safest, most pleasurable and less risky of all dissociatives, although it has it own problems associated indeed.

 

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Ketamine and paracetamol interaction

DoctorXFiles

Hi Doc, Doing ketamine after taking Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen (recommended dosage)…Is it particularly dangerous? Can’t imagine it’s great for the liver? Not something to make a habit of but the ketamine distracts from the pain.
Many thanks.

Originally posted in SR 2.0 4/4/14 . Reviewed 5/2/23

Based on current knowledge, there are no documented adverse interactions between recommended dosages of paracetamol or ibuprofen and ketamine. It can be concluded that the combination of these medications is considered to be safe

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Hyperthyroidism and drugs

DoctorXFiles

I’ve posted a couple times about rapid heart palpitations I’ve been getting recently. I don’t believe it’s drug related, all I’ve been doing is LSD, psilocybin and DMT.

I had been taking Adderall but cut it out when this started.I got into a free clinic and was told my problem could be hyperthyroid. That also happens to run in my family (my mother had to get the radioactive iodine treatment to kill hers).

They said my thyroid was slightly englarged (no nodules though) and I HAVE been feeling a slight tightness in my neck right over the gland (didn’t even put it together until I was at the docs office).All they did was give me a beta blocker and ask me to come back in a month. The beta blocker IS slowing my heart and lowering my BP, but it’s only addressing a symptom and not the problem, right?I know there’s no sure fire cure for hyperthyroid issues, but do you have any experience/suggestions on how to control it? I’d rather not take thyroid suppressing chems and definitely don’t want to nuke my damn thyroid.I’ve heard that bugleweed and motherwort can help lower thyroid function over time. Is there anything dietary I should/shouldnt be doing? I’ve also heard it can be due to low/high iodine levels but I wouldn’t want to start meddling with that without knowing wether my iodine is high or low.

Could applied kinesiology give me a clue? Do you even believe in that and should I?I’m staying away from all stims, be it caffiene, decongestants or uppers. I’m still using psychedelics about 1x per week and the rapid heart beat is of course more noticable and worrying while in that state. It’s becoming a real bummer on my life and my trips!Again, I don’t expect conclusive answers but anything you have to offer on hyperthyroidism is greatly appreciated!

Originally posted in SR 11/3/14 .Reviewed 6/2/13

The type of treatment that is best for you depends on factors such as your age, sex, the cause of your hyperthyroidism, the amount of thyroid hormone produced by your body, and any other medical conditions you may have.

In general, antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery are considered to be the most effective options. Sometimes, treatment for hyperthyroidism can lead to hypothyroidism, requiring daily hormone replacement therapy via oral administration.

However, this is not a major concern for most people and has fewer risks and complications compared to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. The effectiveness of natural herbs or supplements is unknown.

I would advise against the use of psychedelics for your specific condition, at least until your diagnosis is clearly established. Use of ketamine is particularly contraindicated in this condition.

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