Doctor Combats Depression Using Ketamine-Based Treatment In Somerset County

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — What may seem like simple tasks to get out of bed, take a trip to the grocery store, or just day-to-day living is very hard for many suffering from depression.

Now there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr. David Boguslavsky, who has been practicing family medicine since 2003 and has an office PremierMD in Bridgewater, is now the Central Jersey area's only certified Spravato treatment center, approved to use the only FDA-approved, insurance-covered, ketamine-based treatment for depression.

"For me, the mental health community is definitely underserved. And for those undertreated to have this novel approach to treating depression is a big deal," Boguslavsky told Patch.

Boguslavsky had previously used more traditional approaches when treating patients including antidepressants and more holistic approaches with acupuncture and medical marijuana.

However, for some, these approaches were not working. That's when Boguslavsky began offering the ketamine-based treatment as an option in September 2022.

"Mental health treatment in our country is pretty lackluster. And certainly, the pandemic didn't improve mental health," said Boguslavsky. "The Spravato treatment is a game changer for quite a few of my patients who have tried everything including shock treatment."

Boguslavsky noted that ketamine-based treatment is not for first-time patients or treating postpartum blues. It's for those who have maybe tried two antidepressants and failed to see results.

One of Boguslavsky's patients, named Jeff (his full name was not disclosed for privacy issues), began using Spravato in October 2022 and has since seen positive results.

"For me, I consider it a miracle. I don't think it is for everybody. For me, it has been totally mind-opening and game-changing for me," Jeff told Patch.

Jeff is diagnosed with dysthymia - a chronic low-grade depression and has been on an assortment of antidepressants for 20 years.

"For me, they worked to a point," said Jeff.

Then over the past year, Jeff's mood dipped to a very low point. His wife and children noticed a change that he never recognized.

"I reached a point and dipped as low as I could get without the 'can't get out of bed.' I would do the bare minimum of what is needed to get by - with work and family obligations," said Jeff.

He began the ketamine-based treatments on Oct. 31, 2022, and by his third treatment he said he could feel his brain "reawakening."

"I began getting positive thoughts, all sorts of positive ideas, that I hadn't had in a really long time. Enough so that I woke up from my bed and started taking notes of what I was thinking," said Jeff.

Jeff's family has said he is much happier and laughs more.

The ketamine-based treatment is self-administered in the office and then the patient is monitored for two hours to make sure there are no adverse effects. The waiting area is set aside in a private area for patients to relax.

Boguslavsky's main goal is to get more awareness of this option for patients who may be suffering. He described this new treatment as another tool in his toolbox to help patients.

To learn more or to make an appointment visit spravatonj.com or call 908-450 7002 or patientassistance@mypremiermd.com. The office is located at 757 Route 202-206, Suite 104, Bridgewater.

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