Ketamine gives Stephanie a chance at a life

Source of the Story

Provided to Health Rising

Resource Type

Patient Story

Name

Stephanie

Diagnosis

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
2. Fibromyalgia
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
4. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Other diagnoses

severe degenerative disc disease, chronic pain response syndrome, PTSD

Disease Course Over Time

Stephanie was fine until one day at age 22 she turned to pick up something in the shower and experienced a lightning pain in her back. She had no idea what was ahead of her. An examination indicated she had the jagged and brittle spinal column of an 80-year old woman: unbeknownst to her she had severe degenerative disc disease.

Multiple back surgeries and many diagnoses later including a spinal fusion in her neck left Stephanie in enormous pain and unable work. She was left with the option of a pain pump or ketamine infusions.

Type of Onset

gradual non-flu like

Approximate Date of Illness Began

1996-2000

Duration

11-15 years

Functionality at it's Worst

Mostly bedbound

Symptoms

extreme pain, fatigue and depression (after a violent incident)

Positive Test Results

severe degenerative disc disease

Treatments That Made A Big Difference

Ketamine infusion

Treatments That Had No Effect

Stephanie tried many, MANY drugs”, including large doses of opioids, steroid injections, trigger point injections, physical therapy, physical exams, acupuncture, massage therapy, water therapy, discograms. None brought her significant relief.

Present State of Health

1. Leads near normal life but cannot exercise vigorously

Words of Advice

"Ketamine has saved my life"