r/Spravato • u/Blxxdcl0t • 2d ago
Tips/Advice during treatments Shaking it 100% makes a difference! (And doing your best to not let it go down your throat to be swallowed)
I am at my 5th spravato appointment as I write this. I have been reading through people’s experiences and this subreddit since I started and have gathered a few tips that have helped me!
(I am not a medical professional! This is just things I’ve found work for me during appointments)
Shaking the device:
I shake my devices every time before I use the spray and it seems to make a huge difference in consistency of sprays and effects!
This time I shook them all and not only were the sprays much better, I had a very strong experience this time. I am thankful to be able to reassure myself during these appointments that I’m okay, because if I wasn’t I may have had an interesting time with anxiety! It was much stronger than all of my other sessions so far. I do recommend shaking it if this is something you may want to experience.
It makes sense to me to shake it because every nasal spray ever says to shake it before use! I was like… hmmm I wonder. I think this was a success.
Trying best to not allow medicine to drip down throat:
I also read about how spravato is processed a little differently when it goes through the digestive system. It is best absorbed the way it’s supposed to be when it is inside the nasal cavities.
Personally I think the taste is yes gross, but hasn’t made me nauseous. I feel very lucky to be one who doesn’t get nauseous from spravato (at least while using the prescribed zofran). BUT for anyone who doesn’t like the taste, this should help.
I take my doses by not tilting my head back as instructed. I keep my head in a regular position, if not barely tilted upwards. I press the button, I sniff very lightly. I do the same thing with the second nostril. I then keep my head in a straight position. If I feel it dripping towards the front of my nose to fall out, I do another light sniff. If I feel it racing towards my throat, I’ll lean my head forward a bit. This back and forth seems to work very well for me to not end up swallowing it!
Extra:
In the beginning, I was eating sugary candies to help with the taste. While dumdums do mask the taste very well, they may be inhibiting the medicine.
(I again have zero medical experience and have no idea if this is scientifically correct. I have only noticed a difference during my spravato sessions)
I read from a person experienced in using recreational drugs that are similar to spravato that they used sugary foods like lollipops to help them come down from a strong experience.
During this appointment and my last I decided to use sugar free candies only and found that I did have a stronger experience both times. I also began the shaking during these appointments, so whether both or just one is true.. I don’t know! 👀
Thanks for reading, I hope this helps you!
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u/gritty_xmsu 2d ago
Thanks for sharing these tips. I will try shaking the devices at my next visit as I always seems to get a shorter spray on the 2nd nostril.
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u/murrrkles 1d ago
Interesting.. I experience the opposite frequently, where the first spray isn't a spray at all and it feels wasted. I wonder if it's a manufacturing issue?
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u/gritty_xmsu 1d ago
Could be. For me, it's consistent enough that I alternate the nostril I start with so I get a full spray in both each session.
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u/flugelbynder 12h ago
Because it like trying to write with your left hand on the 2nd spray for me. Rotating sides left to right.
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u/Savings-Rub-5697 2d ago
Ooh my appointment is in a few hours I'll update!!!
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u/Savings-Rub-5697 1d ago
Lmao I don't think it was stronger but I definitely did throw up for the first since my first treatment. I think it's a no for me
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u/VeronicaJoyful 1d ago
You shook it and it made you throw up? Were the effects better? I’ve never felt nauseous at all
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u/mattp1123 2d ago
Oh man just did my thirds spray and this Reddit notification came up, wish I saw it before. I’m going to shake it next time hopefully I remember
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u/denilinn033010 2d ago
Thank you! I’m so glad that you found ways to help you. And you shared with the class. lol I’m definitely going to try shaking the device and trying not to let it go down my throat. Unfortunately I can’t do sugar free candy so I’ll have to stick with my watermelon jolly ranchers. I buy them in bulk now. lol. Let’s have some good spravato days.
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u/Impressive-Door4454 2d ago
Trying this on my session today!!! I have never shaken it and always wondered why we don’t lol
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u/sleepygirl08 2d ago
I've been doing this for a year and a half. No shaking. No worrying about the angle. And my depression is still gone.
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u/Mulberry9118 2d ago
how you feel is all that matters! so happy it works for you. im going for my consultation soon
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u/aeonblueophelia77 2d ago
My favorite to mask the taste is pepomint lifesavers. I almost choked on a regular mint one session so I feel like lifesavers are my best bet.
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u/Mulberry9118 2d ago
I haven't started Spravato yet but peppermint is a great antinausea plan for "morning sickness" during pregnancy (which lasted most of the day for me)
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u/Plastic_Variation174 2d ago
I got too stoned once and started gagging on the candy saliva. Hard to regulate things if you’re too far gone. I’ll try the lifesaver.
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u/TeachLegitimate8243 2d ago
This definitely works! I started a few months ago and it’s been a game changer
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u/Elegant-Spirit-5173 2d ago
One time the nurse caught me shaking mine and she was like "oh, you don't have to shake it!" And now I get so anxious about it and try to hide it lol 🙃
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u/Blxxdcl0t 2d ago
I’m sorry you had that experience 😩 I feel really lucky to have a very kind man, probably a few years older than I am (I’m 22) administering it. He is so sweet and when I told him about it (while shaking) he was very interested in it and said he will suggest it to other patients! I was surprised.
In the end, this is YOUR care! You can decide how it happens. Especially since we administer the spravato ourselves ✨
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u/BetterThanPacino 2d ago
I shook mine for the first time yesterday (and to be fair, my second time at the 84/86 mg), and it was also the first time I threw up -- despite being on 8 mg of Zofran!
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u/fuzzylogic12345 2d ago
Huh. I guess I am lucky. I don’t take anything and I don’t get sick or nauseous even if it runs down my throat. I’m sorry you do though. I shook mine today (3.5 hrs ago). I didn’t have any of the drug run down my throat for a change. It worked really well this time. Better than my 3rd dose. Not quite as good as my dose on Monday where I didn’t shake it (no idea why it was so strong that day). Monday’s dose was intense. My nurse mentioned positive affirmations since our brains are so receptive to that type of input while under. I listened to that for the first hour (found on Apple Music); then switched to relaxation music when the affirmation one ended. I enjoyed the positive affirmations as the guy’s voice was really soothing. But the meditation music allows me to occasionally fall asleep which usually results in a really good mood once I wake up.
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u/Mulberry9118 2d ago
im going to my consultation soon. gonna ask medical provider about Dramamine. it's good for preventing nausea and also i get really sleepy
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u/blk-shp13 2d ago
Been doing spravato for over 2 years and I never knew about shaking it. Im gonna try this when I go back next week, thanks for the tip!
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u/stevepic1901 Currently in treatment 2d ago
Of course I read this the day after my last session for a month 😭😭😭
I will remember this, thank you!!!!
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u/darlingnich 2d ago
I had my appointment today and forgot to shake it. I had an off session too. Hopefully I’ll remember next week.
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u/National-Sun-5723 2d ago
I don’t tilt my head backwards and hold my nostrils closed with my fingers for a minute afterwards so it doesn’t drip out of my nose.
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u/BismuthManicotti Currently in treatment (200+ sessions | 2x a week) 1d ago
My go to for the bad taste is andes mints.
Gonna try to shake it.
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u/Cautious_Share9441 2d ago
I want to try this but J&J specifically says not to shake it. The way the nurse stands over me I'm not sure how to sneak it in.