So I've been waiting off on writing this review for quite some time to see if I got some actual…read morerelief from it.
I get that the spravato experience is different for all, but for me it's just my mind and body relaxing for the first hour, then immediately being back to normal. I always feel cognizant, aware, and good to go after my session.
If you're scared after your first dose, or even your fourth, keep going. It will make a difference!
It took MONTHS of going every week, but I am pleased to say that it HAS finally made a big difference in my life.
I used to spend between 3-8 hours a day just bawling my eyes out, and having such extreme suicidal ideation, even if it wasn't a bad day, I'd spend so much time thinking about the best ways to end my life. Be that intentionally, or just intrusive thoughts.
This part is important. I've been on meds and I'm therapy for 26 years before this, and nothing before has made a difference. I've been on almost every antidepressant, mood stabilizers, even antipsychotics a few times just to see if they might help. I've gone through awful side effects, and some meds make things much, much worse (including resulting in a inpatient stay and attempt after Paxil years ago).
I'm still depressed. Very depressed. But it's so much less than it was, and I honestly didn't think I'd ever get to this point. I still have a lot of work to do, but to actually see and feel changes after so long? It's a miracle. I didn't think it'd ever happen for me.
When relaying this stuff to Rena, the nurse I see at most of my appointments, she literally cried happy tears for me, and told me that it's things like that that make her love being in her career.
They do their best to put me in the chair I feel most comfortable with, if my AirPods are dead they have headphones you can use. They put a blanket on you, comfy recliners. They give you listening strips to help get rid of the bad aftertaste.
Everyone I've met here genuinely care about their patients/clients more than anywhere else I've ever been, and it's so wonderful!
The main doctor that set this place up had to do so much advocating, and pushing for this to be an option because he's done so much studying and learning, and wants to see people get better. That's so beautiful!
I'm a bit worried about when I need to start going less frequently. But I'll cross that road when I get to it.
I love this staff, I love this establishment, I love their mission, their compassion, their honest to goodness care and desire to help people who are struggling. It's a beautiful thing!
My only advice is if you're within your first few sessions, don't make any rash judgments or expect that to be how it is forever. My first time I was essentially having a panic attack, and I didn't know if I should even go back. But I did, and it got so much easier and better.
When you first start, you'll just come home and crash for hours afterwards. But after a few visits, that's not the case at all. I don't nap at all after my sessions, certainly not for four hours like at the start.
It's just relaxing and wonderful. I usually watch things on my phone that I used to enjoy a bit before things came crashing down in my life. Some people can't focus on a show, or a book, and they just put on a sleep
Mask while they listen to the spravato playlist on their (AP's) Spotify account, but if you start that off and you're not into it, you push a button and they come out and ask what you need. You say you want to listen to something else, they'll put whatever you want on their Spotify.
You run out of listerine stops? Push the bottom and they bring you more.
Are you freaking out about somehow being in a k-hole or feeling anxious? Push the bottom and someone will come out to talk you through it.
They genuinely care here SO MUCH, more than I've ever witnessed or expected to feel. I love the staff here so much, they're such quality individuals who truly care about helping and making a difference! It's beautiful.
