u/The_Bag_Lady_

Hello everyone! I have done 3 rounds of ketamine, all positive experiences. The first two sessions were 400 mg (lozenges), the third was 500 mg (lozenges). The first session was one at a time, the second I started at 200 and then added 200. The last session was 400 out of the gates and a 100 mg booster.

My question is just “is this normal?” On a few things-

1. In the first session I saw really profound visuals that were intense. Nothing was scary, it was like my brain made a perfect allegory for several key things and those made so much sense.
2. In the second I had visuals but it was maybe 2-3 key ones, it was not ongoing.
3. Last time it was just a couple, but they were quick. I could physically feel it for sure and I felt hazy and out of it, but it was less visual and more thought based.

My therapist says that for her every session was different, and that that’s true for everyone. If you have anything you can share from your experiences, I would appreciate it. I feel pretty raw/exposed/vulnerable at times. I generally notice that I am much more hopeful, but crowds are something I typically don’t like, and I do find myself avoiding busy places as I continue to adjust. It overwhelms me.

Just would be curious if anyone has advice for those starting out on what your experience was, any adjustments you made, how you handled it in the earlier days. I will be doing this for a significant amount of time. I’m also quite a type A, so I have this obnoxious voice asking me why I’m not healed yet 😂. I can handle that, but just any heads up advice for someone who is early days in a long series. I am doing EMDR in between on key themes. Thank you in advance!

I have pretty severe CPTSD, and I tend to be really sound sensitive. I have done two rounds of ketamine so far, and both experiences have been very positive. I feel that in a matter of hours, I am making decades of progress. I am from a very abusive family, my mother was a sadist and the family knew, but appearances were most important. I am no longer in contact with them, and have made a lot of very positive life changes (started IFS therapy, I’m just about four years sober from alcohol, and I lost 130 pounds).

I am thrilled with the progress, but shocked at my limitations after therapy. I am a tough it out kind of woman, but I am so noise and light sensitive at times within a week of treatment that I have to retreat to a dark room and just calm down. It surprises me how little it takes to send me into fight or flight at full speed.
I have always been hyper vigilant and anxious, and it is interesting to feel more calm and optimistic overall, but have something like going to see a movie send me into a tailspin.

I am curious on if others experience this, and if so, what approaches they take to manage it.

Thanks in advance!

I am 5 years no-contact with my abusive, addiction-driven family of origin. Because of this, I lack a built-in support system. I’ve been married for 20 years to an amazing, supportive husband, but we are struggling with his family’s severe lack of empathy.

I am currently undergoing ketamine treatment for trauma and could really use support during the downtime. My in-laws moved nearby to "be close," yet they never check in on me or acknowledge my treatments. Instead, they ignore my health and text to ask my 12-year-old son to mow their lawn weekly (which we never agreed to).

This is part of a painful pattern. When I got sober 4 years ago, they gossiped and demanded details, but never offered a "good job." At a family event, an uncle maliciously gifted me champagne. When I politely refused, he gave my husband and me the silent treatment, and the family just ignored it. They claim to love me, but they treat me like an outsider, refuse to talk about anything real, and gossip steadily but won’t admit to having issues when asked directly. There is never a problem.

My husband has tried talking to them for years, but they are completely obtuse. My current plan is to step back entirely—letting my husband and kids visit them while I drop attendance.
Aside from just dropping interaction, has anyone experienced this kind of passive-aggressive, emotionally unavailable in-law dynamic? How do you protect your peace when your spouse's family simply refuses to be real or supportive?

These are my two absolute favorite comfort foods and I wanted to check and see for others if I’m on track. While I am generally a healthy eater, I will throw elbows for an excellent turkey club with steak fries and I will foul out for really great nachos, especially with pulled chicken.

Right now my top picks for nachos are Old Pueblo, with the runner up being Cheesecake Factory.

For turkey clubs it’s the Coal Tower. I haven’t found others that hit the mark, and I know I must be missing something.

Also up for hearing what your favorite place is for eggs Benedict! Thanks in advance!