All of our Infusions are delivered in a hospital environment. This provides you with the comfort that the procedure is appropriately regulated and is adhering to the highest quality clinical design and delivery guidelines. We always have an Anaesthetist present to deliver the infusion. Every infusion is tailored to the individual patients requirements.
Your Comfort at the Forefront
Most patients find the infusion experience to be quite relaxing and pleasant. You won’t lose consciousness or awareness of your surroundings.
Introduction
We require a referral from your GP, as well as a letter of support from your current treating Psychiatrist. It is also a requirement that you are regularly engaged with a Psychologist prior and during treatment.
After receiving your referral, you will be contacted by one of our nurses for a short telephone interview to confirm your suitability, they will then arrange for an initial appointment with one of our ReviveMed Psychiatrists.
The Psychiatrist will speak with you to further assess your mental and physical health history, and we’ll spend as much time as necessary to answer any questions you may have. This consultation typically takes up to an hour. We require several tests to be performed prior to commencing the infusions, including DNA, blood, urine and ECG reports.
If you are a DVA or Defence patient, ReviveMed will then need to apply for prior financial approval. Please note that this can take up to 4 weeks.
The Procedure
When you arrive for your infusion at the nominated hospital, the admission staff will bring you to a treatment room. Feel free to stay in your street clothes throughout the process.
It’s unusual, but some patients experience a slight bit of nausea during treatment. If you have a history of getting nauseous easily or being prone to motion sickness, please notify us in advance since we may want to add an antiemetic to your protocol design before the treatment begins.
The initial dose will be based on our proprietary protocol with adjustments to reflect the results of your pre-tests. The infusion will last approximately 45-60 minutes for depression and PTSD patients, and for patients suffering from other treatable mood disorders.
To get started, we will take an initial set of vital signs. The Anaesthetist or nurse will then locate a vein on your arm, wrist or hand and almost painlessly insert a tiny needle to introduce a thin, flexible IV tube. You will feel a small prick when the needle first enters the skin, which may temporarily feel a bit uncomfortable, but this slight “pin prick” sensation doesn’t last. The tube is connected to a bag of fluid raised a couple feet above you containing your required dose which will be delivered directly into your bloodstream.
During the procedure, we’ll monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation with non-invasive equipment. Our staff will also monitor your response to the medication to make sure your drip rate is properly adjusted. After about 60 minutes, we will remove the tube and you will be able to relax in your room until you feel ready to leave.
Most patients also bring a mobile device set up with their favourite playlist along with headphones or earbuds to listen to music.
When the infusion ends, you will begin to regain your full faculties within minutes and will be allowed to relax in your treatment room until you feel ready to leave. The effects are most often completely gone after 15-20 minutes.
Experience
Your experience during the infusion is far less mysterious or frightening than you may have heard. Since the therapeutic dose for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and mood disorders is quite low the experience is relatively mild and for many people somewhat pleasurable.
The medication will begin to have its effect within minutes after the infusion begins. You will not lose consciousness. Physically, you will feel extremely relaxed but your mind will be fully engaged.
Sensation
Some patients experience a dissociative effect while relaxing with their music. During this period, you may experience what some patients describe as an “out of body” sensation. Most patients enjoy this experience, but some find it a bit unusual. Many patients find that some level of dissociation is associated with a subsequent better response to the infusion.
It is possible that you may have brief moments of fright during the infusion. This is normal, especially for those who begin the infusion process in a state of high anxiety or who get especially tense at not being in total control. You will never be in any danger, however, and our staff will always be monitoring your progress.
How Will You Feel After Receiving Treatment?
While there is every reason to believe that ReviveMed infusion therapy will work for you, you must remain realistic. While 70%-80% of our otherwise treatment-resistant patients experience significant relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal ideation, ReviveMed infusions do not work for everyone. For the majority who DO experience significant relief, the alleviation of symptoms can be profound. For some, relief of symptoms can be immediate, occurring within hours of the initial infusion. For others, it may take several days or infusions, and the change in mood and outlook may be more subtle and grow over time. Either way, when symptoms are relieved, patients can quickly gain new abilities, become more productive, escape the loop of negative thinking, feel lighter and happier, and learn to love life again. For many patients, ReviveMed therapy becomes life-changing.