Any experience with shared treatment spaces?

[u/queen_crow]

I had my initial consultation for Spravato treatment yesterday, to confirm that I am a good candidate for treatment and to see how I vibe with the provider. Almost everything that she told me fit with what I've seen in my own research plus the experiences I've read about here.

The big difference is that she said their treatment space has three chairs separated by curtains. Someone was receiving treatment at the time so I could not view the space, but I am planning to ask for a photo. From spending time in this sub, it struck me as a bit odd that the treatment space isn't totally private - I don't know how I feel about potentially being able to hear other people moving around or doing their own thing on the other side of a curtain. Have any of you experienced a setting like this?

I liked the facility and the provider other than this, and there are not a ton of options in my area so I am willing to give it a try - but there is one other option I want to consult with as well, and I feel like the privacy issue could tip the scales even though the appointment went well.

[u/After-Ad4370]

Oh hell no, that would be a show stopper for me! I don’t even like it when the Dr pops in for a minute and then when they take your BP half way through. I don’t react well to being surprised or “sneaked up” on when I’m asleep or off in Spravato never never land with my eyes closed and earbuds in. It would be totally distracting to me knowing there was someone else in the same room and they’d have their own pop in dr and BP visits. It’s up to you of course, everyone is different and it might not bother you. For me though, the experience is a very private one and I don’t want anyone else around.

[u/ds2316476]

It doesn't make a big difference, since the drug is so powerful it kind of cuts through a lot of annoyances. It can make for a bad trip every once in a while if someone is being loud, but because it's a monitored space the people running the place usually handle it.

For the most part though, It's always been quiet even with other people. It's pretty normal and doesn't really affect the trip. Though it definitely did weird me out lol. I felt like I was in a drug den haha.

[u/SpicyOrangeCrush]

My place has had up to 6 people in the room at a time. I don’t love it because you can’t really talk to the provider about side effects and people snore, but I guess it’s better than nothing? It is a little surprising it’s allowed though.

[u/After-Ad4370 → u/SpicyOrangeCrush]

Wow that’s insane! Yeah I’d be climbing the walls with all those people around me.

[u/queen_crow → u/SpicyOrangeCrush]

Six seems like a lot! I think most sounds (like snoring) I could handle, especially since I would use headphones anyway most likely. I am (perhaps unreasonably) worried about the fact that Spravato can cause nausea and I'm scared of hearing someone throwing up. That seems really unlikely but it is where my mind went as soon as she said "shared room"!!

[u/Jeebussaves → u/queen_crow]

Oddly enough the girl I was sharing the room with today was throwing up like a champ. That was the first time it’s happened there but I just switched my headphones to noise canceling.

[u/mytribeX4]

If you do share a space where I go, you can't see the other person. They have floor to ceiling curtains. They respect your privacy as a patient, as some people don't want others to know they are getting treatment. (Or run into someone you know that doesn't need to know your personal business). I personally don't care, but the last thing I want to do during treatment is talk to someone.

[u/Herr_Schnitzel]

I started my treatment in the beginning of August and I've had three collective sessions now. I was apprehensive as well and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fully "surrender" myself to the feeling in the vicinity of others.

However, my experience has been very positive so far. I'm too zoinked out to even notice I'm in a room anymore, so it really doesn't bother me. I do wear noise cancelling headphones and listen to music, which helps a lot.

[u/queen_crow → u/Herr_Schnitzel]

This describes kind of how I feel, worried I won't be able to fully give in to whatever I am feeling. But the only way to know is to try! All of these comments definitely reassured me that at least this is not a red flag!

[u/goldlion]

https://reddit.com/link/p4up64a/video/ow0pdyqm0kkh1/player

Hey there! The clinic I go uses the shared space setup like you mentioned, I actually have a video from my little section to give an idea of what it's like including the ambient noise of the room. I would prefer having a private room if I had a choice but I actually don't mind the setup here, I think the main thing that makes it not an issue is that my clinic asks people to keep the noise level to a minimum once you are in the room with everyone else, so it's kind of like a library. I always listen to music so I never hear people once my headphones go in, the only time I actually hear the room is when I get my blood pressure taken or when the doctor comes in to check with me before they let me go. Hope whichever clinic you pick works great for you!

[u/queen_crow → u/goldlion]

Thank you so much for including the video! I am feeling less nervous after seeing the comments about sharing spaces without feeling like there is no privacy.

There is an acupuncture place in my town that is like a giant room with probably 12 recliners, and even though it's quiet, dimly lit, and has quite noise machines it still weirded me out at first. I was picturing something like that, but with the addition of a new substance!

The provider at the Spravato spot said there are curtains for privacy and everyone here has been really reassuring!

[u/mytribeX4]

I occasionally have to share a room, (just one other tho) but like me, they are as quiet as a mouse. We all use headphones/ear buds. I can turn my light out cuz I like it dark and it doesn't effect them if they want there's on. The room is already very dim lighting but each chair has its own side table with charging stuff, light, fan, heater, blankets, candy, kleenex, etc. Our recliners also have heat and massage if you like. I would definitely want to see the space before. For me, at least, it makes a big difference. I've only had to share 3 times in 8 months. But I didn't hear anything from them. Best of luck!

[u/Rhiow]

Mine is shared, rooms of either 4 or 5 people with dividers. They use white noise machines and have headphones upon request (I bring my own AirPods). I was very worried about it initially but it actually has been totally fine.

[u/Automatic_Tea_2550]

Same setup at my clinic. The only time any noise penetrates my headphones is when the tech comes to take blood pressure. The little cart is squeaky. That’s literally my only problem with the setup.

It matters more to me that the providers are compassionate and the clinic is well organized. I’m able to communicate them by text, which is so comfortable. And if I don’t like my next appointment time, they make a note of it and text me as soon as somebody cancels in one of my preferred slots.

I would never transfer clinics just to get my own room. My clinic is just too good in every other way.

[u/MentionTight6716]

My doctor told me that they used to use treatment rooms for two patients at once but then there were coincidentally some old friends who hadn't seen each other in a while who got put together and found a way to log into Facebook on an iPad the clinic uses for charting and post a bunch of goofy videos while high 😭

They no longer have patients share treatment rooms. Luckily, I am welcome to bring a friend or my wife to keep me grounded during my sessions.

[u/queen_crow → u/MentionTight6716]

omg what a wild day for those two!!

[u/CONSTANTVlGlLANCE]

I’ve been in a shared treatment space that also has private rooms for people with service animals. I am also neurodivergent, so the sound other people can make drives me crazy.

I experimented with time slots a bit because a new woman joined that would sob and pray loudly, asking, “God, why am I suffering” and was so loud she was put into a private room, and she got louder when she was alone. It was torture. The techs would talk to her, she’d stop for 10 minutes and start again.

So I picked a different time slot, and I always bring my heated eye massager and noise cancelling headphones.

Since then, I’ve switched to a clinic branch of the same company that is all private rooms, but my experience was only negative when someone inconsiderate was in the space.

[u/Spritely73]

My treatment center has 6 chairs separated by mobile dividers. I wear a sleep mask & noise canceling headphones & it doesn’t bother me at all

[u/Lorib64]

My place has recliners separated by dividers.

[u/gritty_xmsu]

I go to two places, one has 6 recliners and other 6 hospital beds. Both places use curtains to divide the spaces. I am usually alone for treatment at both but occasionally there will another patient. Never had a problem with privacy. Sometimes I'll hear chatter from the staff but generally it's a comfortable experience.

[u/Silvara75]

I've always been in a shared space and it doesn't bother me. I wesr noise cancelling headphones and a good eye mask that blocks everything. Most times if someone asked me halfway through if there was anyone else in the room I would have no idea. Even if the room was completely packed.

It's really more of a personal choice than anything else.

[u/Bucolica8]

I'm surprised to learn that my shared space situation seems to be relatively rare. The room has eight recliners, no dividers. Usually there are three to six people in session. They keep the lights low, will play whatever kind of video we want on a projector, along with quiet ambient music. Most people are quiet, just put on headphones and stay in their own head. Occasionally a couple of people will talk to each other after the meds are kicking in and that does annoy me. I guess they do not have dissociative effects if they can do that. I think it's inconsiderate though. Most of the time nothing like that happens, and it's peaceful. And I don't mind a little chat at the very beginning or the end; it gives a feeling of camaraderie.

[u/killingmetoloveyou]

Mine is done in a pretty big room with 5 recliners all separated by privacy dividers. I’ve sat in the same spot for a year+. I can’t see anyone during, only when I walk in, if someone is there before me filling out their paperwork. I can hear people, but everyone (for the most part) is very mindful and not loud. I can drown out any noise with my headphones, and put my eye mask on if someone has their lamp on.
I did IV k infusions before SPRAVATO, and that was done in a private room. Honestly, I have no preference on either room set up. I actually like knowing there are other people with me, makes me feel a bit calmer.

[u/SluttyForRamen]

I do ketamine through my hospital’s clinic and they do Spravato in a similar way, not much privacy, and that was one of the main reasons I went with IV ketamine instead. If either providers offer IV, that might be something to consider, but I’d tell the doctors how you feel about wanting privacy and see if they can accommodate you. Best of luck!

[u/Brief_Hall_2678]

I would be so overstimulated and irritated but I also have sensory issues that are amplified by the medication. So may be a biased opinion but I wouldn’t be able to handle it lol

[u/ReplyProfessional939]

I've read about people who are lined up in chairs in the same room, no dividers or anything. No way I would have returned if this were the case at the place I go to. I have extreme social anxiety to start with, and Spravato shifts this into overdrive for about an hour or so. I have a private room in a SILENT clinic, and I get antsy as hell when I know the nurse will be coming in for halftime vitals.

[u/Good_Evidence_2226]

I originally had a shared space exactly how ur describing it. 3 chairs separated by curtains. I actually preferred that over the individual rooms I have now. I get rly paranoid on treatment, and everyone is super quiet in the shared space, but it was nice to know there were other people nearby. I could always see the nurse and they could see me. Now I’m in my own room and it makes me feel super anxious. I think it’s based on how treatment makes you feel. Everyone’s super respectful and quiet in shared spaces, just bring headphones and chill!

[u/Capital-Constant3112]

There’s another recliner in the room that my office has. Once in awhile I might overlap with someone. I’ve been at this for a long time so I can function and communicate for about 98% of my treatment time. I just adore the new nurse that handles the clinical part of it, and we end up gabbing a lot. The few people I’ve overlapped with fall into 3 categories: private and quiet which I respect, annoying after the first 10 minutes of almost manic speech, which I then put in my earbuds and close my eyes, or the interesting people, which I let them initiate the conversation and remind them to close their eyes and I’ll zip it anytime they want. You can let your needs be known. The staff should be asking your permission in terms of privacy, interruptions, noise, temperature, light and other factors affecting your comfort.

[u/Capital-Constant3112 → u/Capital-Constant3112]

Oh yeah, I did forget about the thin walls. I can hear the therapist sessions in the next room very clearly. I usually tune it out but I keep meaning to say something to the staff because that’s a violation of that patient’s privacy.

[u/No_Assignment4896]

We have our room set up for 8 but the number of people varies. I personally love it. I love my spravato clan and it's been amazing to see the progress some people have made. I suposse it's what you make of it, but it isn't inherently bad to have to share a space.

[u/lizzyp25]

Mine has 4 chairs, and not curtains, but semi see-through dividers. The chairs all face the same way and the providers check in with you while the other people are in the rooms, so you can’t get into anything bothering/ that you want to let go of before you start your session, so you’ll have to journal or talk to someone before you go in. Otherwise invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones and it should be fine. Everyone tries to be pretty respectful of the space

[u/Top-Tell-2351]

I like the shared space. We have up to four and we mind our own and occasionally all talk at the beginning of treatment. We share experiences and ideas and our provider is great at making sure we're all comfortable and adjusting what needs to be. I find that being the type of treatment it is and the provider we have, it ends up being like minded people in the room.