Ketamine Infusion Information

Dr. Bobby Wunnava, MD, MBA started Pain and Wellness Solutions of the Carolinas (PWSC) in South Durham, by the Southpoint Mall, and our ketamine infusion program for depression, pain syndromes, and other psychiatric conditions is up and running. Ketamine is an antagonist of the NMDA receptor and may have effectiveness in treatment of refractory depression, OCD, PTSD, curbing opioid use, and acute and chronic pain syndromes.  Dr. Wunnava is board certified in pain management and anesthesiology and oversees the program. 

 

We perform a behavioral and medical screening of all patients in person and recommend an infusion plan, as indicated. We are the only ketamine treatment center in the Carolinas offering a complete repertoire of ketamine treatment options. Patients may be assessed to try intranasal esketamine (Spravato) for depression, compounded intranasal ketamine, or IV ketamine infusions.  

 

Our program involves tracking and following patients’ QIDS SR-16, GAD-7, SF McGill, along with other appropriate measures that are patient specific (i.e. PTSD).   We can provide the accepted 0.5 mg/mg over 45 minutes for depression to longer and higher dose infusions, lasting 4 hours, for patients with comorbid chronic pain or more refractory cases.  Unlike other ketamine infusion providers in the area, we have the ability to provide IV midazolam, metoprolol, ondansetron, ketorolac, magnesium, dexamethasone, lidocaine, clonidine, and diphenhydramine, as needed, and appropriate, to manage side effects and optimize and maximize ketamine dosing. We also have the ability to provide IV antihypertensive treatments with IV ketamine to control excessive hypertension. We will work with the patient and the psychiatric or mental health team to formulate an in-home outpatient ketamine treatment plan, as appropriate. 

 

Our rates are very competitive, and your patients will benefit from the expertise of an anesthesiologist well versed in chronic pain and psychiatric conditions.  Our newly renovated clinic space, aimed at placing patients at ease and in comfort, has ample parking and is less than half a mile from I-40.  Our address is: Pain and Wellness Solutions of the Carolinas, 5322 Highgate Drive, Suite 143, Durham, NC, 27713.  Please give this location information and the contact number above out to patients.  

 

 

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Information for Patients

 

Nothing to eat after midnight the night before your infusion.

Please take your usual medications with a sip of water.  Please skip any benzodiazepines like alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam.

You may drink CLEAR liquids up to two hours before you arrive in the clinic.

Please wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes.

We avoid having patients use the restroom during their infusion.  Please use the restroom before your infusion and right afterwards.  We have urinals for men and women to use, if need be.

Please bring a driver with you.  Your driver or responsible adult will need to stay during the infusion unless the PWSC staff deems that this person may leave for short periods of time.