Headache Camp and the use of Medical Ketamine

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.