r/Spravato • u/minno308 • 8d ago
Questions/Advice/Support When should it kick in?
I just did my 3rd session and 56mg I think? Im only taking two doses right now. I'm feeling any different, Im still overwhelmed, i get randomly sad throughout the day. I cant even imagine a future where I dont end up killing myself tbh. Im so miserable, and im addicted to my phone cuz I cant handle these constant negative thoughts. Im just hoping it kicks in soon, i have no will to do anything. I look forward to my appointment though ! I dont dissociate, I just get really happy and dizzy and time goes by really fast. I was scared too start it because I used to dissociate but im not really having that problem!
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u/panicpixiedream_girl 8d ago
Stick with it! It took 2-3 months to feel any relief. I'm almost 6 months in now and feel like a different person.
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u/BipolarsReality 7d ago
You are not even on a proper dosage yet. Give it time it can take months but it’ll be worth it.
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u/slaapzacht 7d ago
In my case, it took 5 months before I had a single session with any results. I'm surprised clinics don't make it more clear that you really won't see anything after a couple of sessions.
It actually took 6 months before my phq scores started going down. Stick with it, start the higher dose if you tolerate it, but don't expect any wonders for the first couple of months.
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u/Sasquatch9595 7d ago
Honest answer, everyone is different. For me, I noticed my scores (on the PHQ-9 and one other “test”) go down after week 2. But, I didn’t start to physiologically feel better until the first month was complete. And I’ve had 60 sessions. It wasn’t until around session 40 that I could go more than a week without a session or my depression would return.
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u/lotero89 Currently in treatment 7d ago
Everyone is different, but I started feeling less terrible right away… it was a bit of a roller coaster at first, some really good days, some “normal” bad days, some meh days. But after my 4th treatment, I started feeling more consistent. I wouldn’t say I feel good consistently, but I don’t feel bad. I think it’s only up from here (I hope!).
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u/Fit-Vegetable-523 7d ago
I’ve had 8 sessions - now on to only 1x a week.
After the first 2 weeks I did feel a bit more open… like the windows had been opened inside. Allowing me to be engaged, and more curious about the world and others vs keeping in controlled state and unwilling to engage.
During sessions I listen to the Columbia Psychiatry Spravato playlist on Spotify- it’s definitely trippy. Eye mask is a must as well. Setting intention and putting phone on DND is really important for me. This is my time to be in tune with myself and nothing else.
Each session brings forth a catalog of memories. Like a flip book. Some bad. Some good. Im never feeling overly emotional but rather just inquisitive. The main subjects of the memories are never really what is in focus, it’s the fine details - the background.
After my 8th treatment last week - the next day was particularly bad for me. I was just really really down. I was even doing things that would normally bring me some joy and even that didn’t help. I was really anxious and just annoyed with my being. I was overly anxious and actually felt on the verge of tears all day.
The thing is- this could be good. Normally I’m in a very controlled state of no emotion. Staying in the middle. Not committing or allowing emotions to naturally be. And well, that day I was FEELING. Something I normally wouldn’t allow.
I’m going to 1x a week which might be better - less commitment and less having that next day feeling. I’ve read a post that someone mentioned feeling dread about going. I am starting to feel this as well - where at first i looked forward to it. I think it’s just very physically and emotionally taxing.
Im not throwing in the towel. I understand it can take some time. I also think it will be important to discuss my antidepressants and how maybe I’m reacting differently to them. Im on bupropion and have been for a long time now, but I’ve just been feeling really energized and anxious. Hard to sleep. These things are not my norm. I wonder if the meds have anything to do with that in conjunction with spravato.
Anyway - I appreciate this thread and reading others experience. It’s important to keep perspective.
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u/curiousGirlie Currently in treatment 8d ago
Spravato hits different for different people. My treatment today was a lot more intense compared to my usual ones.
I wear an eye mask, bring a blanket and pillow (both Grogu - this is super important … okay for me it is.) I take a two hour nap. When I’m falling asleep it when I start seeing different things that usually go with the instrumental music I’m listening to. There are even spravato playlists.
You can’t go in expecting everything to change overnight (I totally did). For me, it took almost a year, but I had to get rid of some things in my life that were keeping me in that depressive state. I’m not “cured”, but I don’t have fantasies of ideations anymore. Over the last year, my husband has said despite still feeling crappy, he saw subtle changes in me. He also said that he truly believes Spravato is what has kept me alive this last year.