At first, I was skeptical as my mental health was drastically diminished by the current state of…read morethe world, our society, the job market, and how inaccessible resources are to succeed. It came to a head when I felt so hopeless that I contemplated suicide even with a loving wife, a new business, and parents who have given us a place to stay while we got on our feet.
I considered SSRIs but it was a non-starter due to the withdrawal effects of using typical anti-depressants and the costs associated with continuing a regimen. I posted a breakdown of the costs below.
After a 3 week (2 treatments/week) I can say that it was a life-changing difference in my mental health. I went from crippling hopelessness, worry, and despair to feeling optimistic about the future, being able to see what matters in front of me.
While these treatments aren't a cure, and don't address the underlying causes of depression, they are very effective and less disruptive than SSRIs would be in my opinion. Think about being on SSRIs, forgetting a dosage, and having your world turned upside down...
The effects of Ketamine treatments far outweigh the costs associated with Brand Name SSRIs
Bupropion SR/XL (150 mg):
Brand Name (Wellbutrin SR/XL): $228/$1,992 for 30 days
Brand Name (Wellbutrin SR): $228 * 12 months = $2,736 for 1 year
Brand Name (Wellbutrin XL): $1,992 * 12 months = $23,904 for 1 year
Duloxetine (60 mg):
Brand Name (Cymbalta): $261 for 30 days
Brand Name (Cymbalta): $261 * 12 months = $3,132 for 1 year
Fluoxetine (20 mg):
Brand Name (Prozac): $490 for 30 days
Brand Name (Prozac): $490 * 12 months = $5,880 for 1 year
Paroxetine ER (25 mg):
Brand Name (Paxil CR): $233 for 30 days
Brand Name (Paxil CR): $233 * 12 months = $2,796 for 1 year
Sertraline (50 mg):
Brand Name (Zoloft): $329 for 30 days
Brand Name (Zoloft): $329 * 12 months = $3,948 for 1 year
Tranylcypromine (10 mg):
Brand Name (Parnate): $1,271 for 30 days
Brand Name (Parnate): $1,271 * 12 months = $15,252 for 1 year
Now with the above having been said, this review deserves a 5 stars and I'd give 6 if I could because Doctor Newby and his wife are lovely people and they have done a lot to make the clinic as welcoming as possible, all but eliminating the intimidation factor of your typical sterile healthcare facility. Their staff is wonderful to interact with and will assist you with finding finance options for affordable care using Care Credit to make these treatments affordable and accessible.
I highly recommend it if you're in a dark place and you feel stuck.