Cancer Pain Relief

Ketamine Infusion Therapy For Refractory Cancer Pain

Nearly 2% of cancer patients experience pain caused by refractory cancer after being denied relief through traditional analgesic means. Refractory cancers can be equally painful; painkillers sometimes don’t work as well as one might expect, and they can be addictive. Ketamine therapy can aid in tackling the chronic pain caused by refractory cancers and improve the quality of life.

Refractory cancer pain is a type of pain that is difficult to control or manage with conventional pain medications. This type of pain is often associated with advanced stages of cancer, and can be severe and debilitating. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including the growth of cancerous tumors, inflammation, and damage to nerve cells. There are several treatments available for refractory cancer pain, including medications, nerve blocks, and other types of therapy.

Symptoms of Refractory Cancer Pain

The symptoms of refractory cancer pain can vary depending on the underlying cause of the pain and the individual’s response to treatment. Some common symptoms of this type of pain include:

Constant or severe pain that is not relieved by conventional pain medications
Pain that is described as burning, stabbing, or throbbing
Sensitivity to touch or pressure in the affected area
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating due to pain
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Depression or anxiety due to chronic pain

Common Treatments

Cancer pain is typically treated with a combination of medications, therapy, and other interventions. The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the pain, while also addressing any underlying causes of the pain. Some common treatments for cancer pain include:

Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or opioids
Anti-inflammatory medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Nerve blocks, which involve injecting medication near the affected nerve to block pain signals
Physical therapy can help improve mobility and reduce pain in the affected area
Occupational therapy can help individuals with cancer pain learn techniques for managing daily activities
Psychological counseling can help individuals cope with the emotional effects of chronic pain

However, all too often, these treatments leave people in pain. This ongoing pain can make a tough situation more difficult. Luckily, ketamine has provided relief to many dealing with cancer pain that other methods have left untreated.

How Does Ketamine Treat Chronic Pain?

This process involves a complex series of brain activities. Scientists believe ketamine addresses chronic pain by inhibiting the NMDA receptor in brain regions associated with depression and pain. The NMDA receptor is activated by glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with learning, memory, mood regulation, and pain. When ketamine inhibits the NMDA receptor, glutamate accumulates in the space between neurons. This has a cascade of effects on the brain, resulting in relief from chronic pain and new neural growth.

This differs from conventional antidepressants, which initially boost serotonin activity levels in several brain areas and tangentially affect glutamate. This process usually takes weeks, sometimes months, to provide relief, while ketamine produces rapid relief from depression symptoms.

Getting Treatment

Elevate Infusion Therapy is focused on bringing our patients the latest evidence-based treatment options to help improve both physical and mental health. If you or a loved one suffers from refractory cancer pain, it’s time to get relief. Elevate Infusion Therapy can help. Contact us today!

Start Your Journey at Elevate Infusion Therapy

Give Us A Call

(469) 529-7579

We Can Help

Request Your Consultation

Elevate Infusion Therapy is focused on bringing our patients the latest evidence-based treatment options to help improve both physical and mental health.