Headache Camp and the use of Medical Ketamine

Ketamine Headache Camp

Medical ketamine infusions have been the basis of my chronic migraine treatment plan since 2013. I fondly refer to the Jefferson Headache Clinic (part of Thomas Jefferson University) as “Headache Camp.” I’ve compiled every interview, podcast, and article I’ve written on my experience. And yes, I do still travel to Philadelphia at least once a year from Los Angeles for in-patient ketamine infusions. I was discharged last week from my 13th inpatient infusion at Jefferson. 

Podcast

In 2020, the Association of Migraine Disorders asked my headache specialist at Jefferson, Dr. Stephanie Nahas-Geiger, and me to talk about ketamine for chronic migraine on their podcast Spotlight on Migraine. It was pretty special to be able to do this with my own health care provider. 

Ketamine: An Alternative for Difficult-to-Treat Chronic Migraine- Spotlight on Migraine S2:Ep11


How a street drug can help reset your brain

I probably get the most questions about my use of ketamine. Honestly, it’s been the basis of my treatment plan (well, ketamine AND advocacy). The following articles were originally written for Migraine.com.

Ketamine for Migraine Management – the basics and history of Ketamine

Headache Camp – My first in-patient experience was actually for lidocaine, which I didn’t tolerate well.

Headache Camp Round 2 – This is the start of my use of ketamine in a hospital setting.

Lessons from Headache Camp – How to make the most out of an infusion.

A look from the outside

Headache Camp: From Mom’s Seat – My mom eloquently writes about what it’s like for her to take care of her grown child while I’m getting ketamine infusions.

Patient Perspective: Ketamine – I talked to Terah Kuykendall, a patient opinion leader who discusses the use of ketamine for chronic migraine.

Official Study Results from Headache Camp – Synopsis of retrospective studies on medical ketamine for migraine PLUS some things to know before about the actual hospital experience.

Headache Camp #5 – Advocating for Yourself – How to make the most out of a ketamine infusion.

Is it ok to say I feel good? – I don’t want to jinx myself, but after the 6th admission, I felt pretty good.

 

Advocate on the Loose!

April 5, 2017

I’m on a plane home to LA reflecting on the last three weeks I spent on the east coast. Several opportunities came my way and of course it all happened at the same time! I am grateful I was asked to be part of events focused on community building, advocacy, education and collaboration.

Welcome to Golden Graine

December 6, 2016

Hot Off the Presses! Welcome to Golden Graine! The name of my blog is a play on my last name and slang for migraine (so don’t forget the “e” at the end of ‘Graine). When I had to stop working at the age of 32 due to intractable chronic migraine disease, I found purpose in…

Photo Fridays- Advocates in Action

February 17, 2017

Shown here are my fellow Headache on the Hill participants as we talk to a staffer from Congressman Don Beyers office from VA. I was so incredibly proud of how well our group was able to mesh together to get our message across. Two of us had chronic migraine, one had cluster headache, two were…