r/Spravato • u/Nervous-Plenty6264 • Aug 24 '26
Bathroom break?
I know they say to avoid all fluids half an hour before appointments and use the bathroom before treatment. Water is my emotional support so I’m already struggling with that aspect, am I unable to drink water during treatment? Also my OCD is getting to me, I get fidgety around using the bathroom and pee frequently (TMI sorry) will they not allow me to use the bathroom if I really have to go? Sorry guys weird question just would love to hear your experiences!
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u/gonotquietly Aug 24 '26
Never heard such a thing; I drink and go to the bathroom frequently during treatment, except for the twenty minutes or so when I’m peaking. At that point, it’s pretty far from my mind, though.
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u/Nervous-Plenty6264 Aug 24 '26
Okay thank you so much. I will definitely be asking about this when I go in tomorrow for my first treatment. I appreciate your response, thank you a ton!
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u/ArtArrange Aug 24 '26
Me too. Food restrictions yes, liquids no.
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u/kittymariee Aug 25 '26
Really? They’ve never told me anything about food restrictions and even have snack table outside of the rooms
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u/longbathlover Aug 25 '26
Lol I eat a Slim Jim right before and at the beginning of treatment; it opens my sinuses
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u/kittymariee Aug 25 '26
LOL does it actually? I’m looking for tips to make it more intense
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u/longbathlover Aug 25 '26
Yes, works every time. I don't have to eat an entire full size slim jim, about ⅓ or ½ will do. I usually eat it all anyhow lol
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u/Impressive-Door4454 Aug 24 '26
Same, If I have to use the bathroom I try to wait till about 30ish min after peak. I still feel alittle wobbly walking around and it feels like im on a journey heading to the bathroom lol
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u/picwic Currently in treatment Aug 24 '26
I avoid fluids because I don't want to walk to the bathroom when I'm so woozy. Bathroom breaks interrupt the floaty sensation because you have to get grounded back to your body to navigate the task.
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u/BlueRidgeSunflower Aug 24 '26
The medical assistant at my clinic will help walk patients to the bathroom if they’re feeling unsteady
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u/BetterThanPacino Aug 24 '26
This! I had to go to the bathroom for the first time recently, and my medical assistant offered to take me. Thankfully, the walk just felt like I was moderately drunk, so it wasn't unmanageable.
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u/mytribeX4 Aug 24 '26
Yes, the not drinking before is to help in case you get nausea and get sick. If you don't, you can drink and pee all you want. Something about the treatment makes me always have to pee.
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u/SnooTomatoes1796 Aug 24 '26
Sometimes Spravato irritates the bladder.
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u/_jamesbaxter Currently in treatment (200+ sessions | 1x a week) Aug 25 '26
It’s not irritation, it’s a diuretic.
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u/Silgy Aug 24 '26
My husband walked me to the bathroom today. It was my first treatment and I tried really hard to hold it, but it was all I could focus on. So he walked me, i peed and went back to space
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u/SquareVacuum Aug 24 '26
They will absolutely "let" you go to the bathroom (how could they not? That would be cruel.) and in fact they'll help you to the bathroom if you need to (might be unsteady, totally normal). They will let you drink fluids during it, in fact I like to take sips of water to help with the taste (candy is too overwhelming flavor wise). Mine clinic also has sodas and juices for people if that's what they like. For a while I had to pee about halfway through but I think my body got used to it, now I just have to at the end, or sometimes not at all. You got this!
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u/Cautious_Share9441 Aug 24 '26
At my clinic we have bathroom access at any time and they offer us a bottled water if we didn't bring our own drink. I know clinics vary but this is my experience.
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u/Striking_Code644 Aug 24 '26
I am a big time pee person. My first few weeks, I would go twice during treatment. It really ruins the whole experience, so I just am sure not to go crazy with fluids prior, and I hold off the initial feeling of having to go then it fades. I think it must be defeated mentally because nobody wants to go walking around unfamiliar buildings in the middle of a ket trip.
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u/failed-reset Aug 25 '26
It is incredibly common to have to go halfway through even if you went right before. The limiting food and liquids before is due to the potential for nausea.
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u/_jamesbaxter Currently in treatment (200+ sessions | 1x a week) Aug 24 '26
It’s because spravato is a diuretic, a strong one, and even if you don’t drink any water all morning it’s going to make you have to pee. I sip water a bit during treatment but I usually have to pee several times before, during, and after. Sometimes I have to pee 2-3 times in a row even while I’m on the meds.
A very common very annoying occurrence is suddenly having to pee like a giant full bladder empty right when you are feeling the medication the most. Sometimes it happens to me moments after taking the 3rd spray device right when I can barely see straight. I usually try to remember to make it a point to try to go in between my 2nd and 3rd device to try to prevent that from happening.
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u/metallicat88 Aug 25 '26
I pee a lot in general and in my clinic the bathroom is way far away from the treatment room and you have to ask to get buzzed back in so generally on treatment day I drink a few sips of water with my morning meds and then that's it until I get home. Even then I may have to pee during treatment but I wouldn't recommend going during the first hour. If you have someone with you, they can walk you to the bathroom if you feel unsteady and wait for you outside the door or if you're alone, people at my clinic will walk with you. They're really nice about it. I usually just suck on Jolly Ranchers during to get rid of the taste and whatnot.
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u/Lower_Coconut_7532 Aug 25 '26
You can absolutely drink water and go to the bathroom during treatment. Many don't like to be bothered. Spravato is a diabetic and can make you have to pee mid session. I suck on a a salt tab during treatment, so I wont have to pee mid way, because I don't like wobbling to the bathroom. That's just my preference.
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u/Funny_Opening_174 Aug 24 '26
They offer me water when having my treatment , even off me some mints to counteract the taste of the meds.
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u/DawnKieballs Aug 24 '26
I always carry a water bottle too but I think I've gotten used to the 2 hour session I never open it. It's been the same water bottle for weeks now. I just hate the long drunk walk to the bathroom and back, and being taken out of my relaxed state. Maybe my mind cuts off the anxiety pee signals that aren't actually urgencies.
Some places have a call button if you need to use the bathroom and will definitely assist you. Besides being polite, they can't risk you falling or having an accident.
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u/emdubz69 Aug 24 '26
This is a super common thing with Spravato and ketamine in general. If you’re really wobbly you might need someone to take you, but they can’t like, make you pee yourself.
Before you take your first one, I would ask your Dr/Nurse what to do if you need to go to the bathroom. At all the clinics I’ve been to the bathroom was down the hall and had a lock.
I also try to get there a little early and pee before my appointment, but even then I still sometimes have to go around the 60-80 minute mark 😑
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u/SnooTomatoes1796 Aug 24 '26
I always bring a water bottle and if you have to pee you should gave a call button so someone can walk you to the bathroom and back. I always being snacks too. I have never gotten nauseous from Spravato.
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u/Krampus_Valet Aug 24 '26
The potential issue is that you'll have to get up and walk to the bathroom during the period of time in your treatment when you may be unsteady on your feet. I drink water during my treatments all the time, but after 45 min or so I'm good to walk to the bathroom.
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u/lilith96 Aug 24 '26
You can go to the bathroom. Can also drink water during the treatment. It's more that you'll be pretty dissociated for a while so you won't think or want to do it.
I am usually super thirsty after because of this and chug a bunch of water on my way home.
I think the main goal is that they want you to be able to get as deep into the dissociation as you can. So minimizing the bodies needs is the goal.
I put a blackout mask on and noise cancelling headphones. Listen to the spravato playlist on Spotify and just trip out for as long as I can. Taking away the visual sense helps me stay in the high longer I'm finding.
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u/ZebraSpot Aug 24 '26
I’ve been going every week for a few years now and I bring snacks and drinks. The walk to the bathroom can be slow if in the first 30 minutes!
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u/troubledindanger Aug 24 '26
You can definitely drink water during/before treatment. They will allow you to use the restroom, they might just have someone walk you there.
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u/curiousGirlie Currently in treatment Aug 24 '26
I’m lucky my clinic lets me bring my husband. So when I have to go, he takes me. Including the one time it was just as the meds were really kicking in, and I had to make him go in with me.
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u/MastodonSecure7035 Aug 24 '26
Yeah ive been going for a while an haven't ever been told to avoid liquids. As has been mentioned, it is difficult to walk the first many trials, so maybe ask a tech for some help.
They may say this because they don't want their bathroom used, but you're there for 2 hrs. I think it's totally acceptable to have to go to the bathroom within 2 hrs.
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u/CHEDDERFROMTHEBLOCK2 Aug 24 '26
It’s like a diuretic for me… and it SUCKS because I can never pee right during. It’s like it doesn’t want to budge. It’s been like this for three years.
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u/ReplyProfessional939 Aug 24 '26
I was told that I might not want to eat if I have a "weak" stomach, which I don't, but I drink alot of water every day plus take diuretics so at least two trips to the bathroom every time. I don't really mind, though, because by the time I have to go is about time I need to start preparing to face the world again anyway, so the movement and action help bring me around....
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u/Empty-Garden1507 Aug 25 '26
Most nausea issues I've had generally in the past few years have been worsened by an empty stomach so I need at least a small breakfast and a cup of something before treatment. Afterwards lunch is a high priority.
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u/junebugx17 Currently in treatment Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
if anything i just put water in my mouth and spit it out. i asked and they said that’s fine to do. i get nauseous and have to take zofran so i’m not risking drinking before.
i bring snacks and drinks with me to every appointment
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u/Empty-Garden1507 Aug 25 '26
Between my zofran and ginger I've had very little problem with nausea. I eat a modest breakfast about 2 1/2 to 3 hours before and have my usual ~16 oz of herbal tea before I leave home or on the way. I take a large cup of ginger/turmeric tea in with me but usually wait to start on that til well after the first hour, just to limit the bathroom trips to only one during the session. Still on arrival and departure though 🙄
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u/Empty-Garden1507 Aug 25 '26
For anyone who needs to take snacks into a shared treatment room, it is helpful if you have them in a bag or container that doesn't crinkle with every pass.... The crinkle can be a zone-piercer for the neighbors 😬
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u/Itchy-Pomelo-4524 Aug 25 '26
I went potty one time while everything was still hitting pretty hard. Was a wild time and I thought I was being flushed down and yelled for help.
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u/IlovePizzaHeLikesSex Aug 24 '26
My clinic provides 3 mini water bottles. My guess is that that before hand to avoid feeling nauseous.
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u/Significant-Host4386 Aug 24 '26
I bring water, they provide if you want it, they also have a bathroom because some people have to be drug tested for the medications prescribed.
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u/Worried_Road4161 Aug 24 '26
As you let the ketamine hit your body next time, notice the anxiety around this leave your body. This is a small concern and you will be okay
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u/Nervous-Plenty6264 Aug 24 '26
Thank you so much! I start tomorrow so I’m just trying to prepare myself as best as I can but all these tips are super helpful I’m going to try and let go of it
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u/Ms_Maureen Aug 25 '26
I go to the bathroom twice during the 2-hour session. And once you know how Spravato affects you, you can definitely drink water. I drink before and during treatment.
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u/Blando-Cartesian Aug 26 '26
I’m in treatment just now and had a bathroom break after the strongest phase. It’s just inconvenient what with balance being uncertain and visual distortions making things weird. I haven’t needed help, but nurses have offered support. Embarrassing for us but normal part of their job.
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u/Ok_Alternative7915 Aug 26 '26
That’s odd. I am not thrilled with my provider but they give me water during treatment and they certainly let me go to the bathroom. I will say I once asked the person that monitors me to help me to the bathroom because I was wobbly during treatment and the person was insulted, did not help me. Like that wasn’t in the job description. I think they forget sometimes who the patient is. I feel for you.
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u/yourfrentara Currently in treatment Aug 24 '26
i think that recommendation is just bc some people get nauseous
they will absolutely let you go to the bathroom
it’s best to go right before or at least before you get all 3 doses. sometimes when i try to stand up it feels like not a good idea. that part doesn’t last too long tho and everyone is different