Ketamine and Blood Pressure: What Users Say

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2020

For Pain "I went for a ketamine infusion for pain from fibromyalgia. It lasted for eight hours. My blood pressure became elevated, and they gave me medication a couple of times to lower it. During the time of the infusion, I heard a nurse say, 'she had an arrhythmia.' Being a retired nurse, I knew that was not good. So, I told them to stop the infusion, and I went home. The next day, I became very tachycardic and went to the emergency hospital. They were able to get my heart rate lower. It was going at 150 beats a minute. I was in atrial fib and was admitted into the hospital. I am now on a blood thinner because of it. People who are hypertensive and have cardiac problems should never have a ketamine infusion. I am very angry now that I have to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life."

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2015

For Anesthesia "I was given ketamine along with propofol to induce anesthesia for a recent operation and never again. I experienced acute dysphoria and felt like I was going to die. Never again, this drug is bad news. I've now had 35 major surgeries, and this was the first time ketamine was used. Also had very low BP on waking. It seems to be the new in-thing drug. No idea why all of a sudden it's become popular?"

• pum...
• November 11, 2011

For Pain "While on the infusion, I was unable to eat food. I became very sensitive to smells and had a metallic taste in my mouth even after the infusion was stopped. I obtained about 12 hours of sleep over 12 days, and 15 days after cessation of treatment, I am just beginning to sleep more effectively. I became very sensitive to light, and that is still continuing, as is the light-headedness and unsteadiness on my feet. My blood pressure rose above 200, but my pulse rate dropped to 53. I felt as though I had an elephant sitting on my chest, and I felt that I was having difficulty breathing, but observations did not support my feelings. I developed a cough, almost like hiccups, but no tickle at the back of the throat. I also became disassociated from the pain."