What are Ketamine Cramps?
K Cramps are a severe pain that can happen if you take too much ketamine.
- Felt in the upper right side of the abdomen, below your diaphragm and under your ribcage but can spread to your back and shoulders.
- You may also experience nausea, vomiting, shaking, sweating and dizziness.
- Tend to last for a few hours but you may feel some pain and tenderness for several days.
- Can be triggered by certain foods and worse with dehydration.
Longterm Effects
Repeated K cramps can cause serious issues including:
- Bile duct scarring: bile ducts become scarred and begin to thicken, further blocking bile flow.
- Chronic slow and blocked bile flow: when bile ducts become scarred over time, this can permanently affect bile flow and cause chronic, longterm issues
- Gallbladder dysfunction: the gallbladder can become inflamed and produce sludge or stones. Some people may need surgery to remove the gallbladder. People with no gallbladder can still get k cramps. • Liver damage: when bile can’t flow properly, it can back up into the liver and cause liver damage. Liver damage is a serious condition which can be fatal.
What causes them?
- Ketamine can affect your bile ducts (part of the system that moves bile from the liver to the gut)
- This can make the ducts inflamed, swollen and slow the flow of bile
- When bile backs up, it causes pressure and pain
- Research on k cramps is still limited and there is a lack of knowledge among health professionals
When to seek help
If the pain isn’t going away, keeps getting worse or you’re not sure it’s k cramps, seek medical advice. Be honest about using ketamine to ensure you get the right treatment. You won’t be judged and it will be confidential. Signs you need immediate medical attention:
- Fever
- Chills
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skins or eyes)
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
How to manage the pain
Heat: A hot water bottle or heat pack can help soothe pain. Always keep it covered and be wary of burns.
Breathing: Breathing exercises can reduce pain and anxiety and relax your muscles. Anxiety can make pain seem worse.
Water: K cramps get worse with dehydration. Sip water slowly. Hot water can be very soothing. Always stay hydrated before, during and after using ketamine.
Medication: Always consult your doctor before using medication.
Position: It might be hard to get comfortable with cramps. Sitting upright or lying on your left side can encourage bile to move freely. People find yoga poses such as child’s pose helpful. Find what works for you.
Eat wisely: certain foods may make cramps worse. In a flare up, avoid fatty, spicy or sugary foods. DO NOT alter your diet to accommodate using ketamine longterm – this can lead to malnutrition.
Herbal remedies: Many people find certain herbal supplements or teas more helpful than medication. This is currently anecdotal and there is no scientific evidence-base specific to k cramps. However, this should not be ignored by professionals. Research is needed so that these can safely be recommended if proven to help.
The only way to prevent k cramps is to stop taking ketamine!
- Buscopan is currently recommended by doctors for k cramps.
- Paracetamol may be recommended but be wary of the effects on your liver.
- Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs are NOT usually recommended due to interactions with the stomach, which can worsen cramps.
- Avoid opioid-based pain killers like co-codamol, these also affect your biliary system and can cause constipation, further blocking your digestive system.
STOP USING KETAMINE IMMEDIATELY!
It can be tempting to keep using to help the pain. This will only prolong and worsen cramps.
