Doctors believe ketamine can treat her chronic pain — if she's approved by workers' comp

Judy Harvey of Happy Valley-Goose Bay deals with chronic pain around the clock, related to a back injury and three surgeries. She’s waiting on word from the province’s workers' compensation program about what could be her final treatment option. (John Gaudi/CBC)

Judy Harvey is waiting on word from WorkplaceNL about a potentially life-changing treatment for a workplace injury — but she's frustrated that she's been left waiting for months.

The Happy Valley-Goose Bay woman suffered a back injury seven years ago, and has had three back surgeries in the years since. It's left her with severe nerve damage and chronic pain around the clock.

She takes a cocktail of opioids that aren't doing the job anymore and come with serious side effects. Harvey believes there's one last thing worth trying: ketamine infusions, administered at a clinic in Halifax.

The problem? Without approval from WorkplaceNL, which handles Newfoundland and Labrador's workers' compensation program, she can't afford the treatments.

"Workers' compensation holds my life in their hands," Harvey told CBC News.

"There's times I wake up and I'm just like, why did I wake up? I want to die because I don't want to be like this."

Harvey began the process in January and has already been denied once, when a WorkplaceNL representative told her it wasn't a treatment they covered. Harvey was urged to reapply when she spoke to another rep in March, and she's heard nothing back on that second application.

In a statement to CBC News, WorkplaceNL CEO Ann Martin said they have covered some ketamine treatments in the province, but never to the Coastal Ketamine Clinic in Halifax.

Harvey said there is one clinic in Carbonear that can do the treatments, but their wait-list is 2½-3 years.

"I cannot be like this for another three years. I can't," she said.

Martin, who said she can't comment on specific cases, said they assess applications for new prescriptions as fast as possible but there are some hurdles along the way.

"Times may vary," said Martin. "In some cases, it can take some time to receive the required medical information or answers to followup questions to clarify."

Harvey said she has five referrals from doctors, including one from the clinic in Halifax, which said they could get her in for treatments immediately.

Without it, she's afraid her quality of life will continue to erode. She can no longer do the things she once enjoyed, like going for hikes or riding snowmobiles.

She even needs her partner to put on her socks.

"It's not good, but he does it for me. And I can't believe that's what I've become, because I feel like a burden. And it's not a good feeling, it's not. I just want somebody to help me."

Why ketamine?

Ketamine is commonly known as an anesthetic used in veterinary medicine, but has been used to treat chronic pain and even depression.

Harvey came to know the drug as a lifesaver after an experience in the local emergency room. She was suffering from debilitating pain, radiating through her leg and shooting out her toes. The doctor gave her opioids, but it wasn't working.
That's when someone suggested a ketamine infusion, and they gave it a try.

Harvey says her pain went from above a 10 down to a five or six. It stayed that way for a couple of months.

"I had a longer span without having to go to emergency and getting pumped up with opioids," she said.

She wants that kind of freedom again, and as fast as possible.

While Harvey awaits word from WorkplaceNL, the community is rallying to help her cause. One person started a GoFundMe page, and there will also be a community dance to raise funds so Harvey can travel to Halifax for her first treatment at the Coastal Ketamine Clinic.

"I couldn't believe it. This town blows me away when somebody is in need," she said.

If all goes well, Harvey could have her first treatments in early May. She's hoping that will buy her enough time to get approval for a more stable option.

"I have exhausted every avenue to help me and there is a chance. This is my last kick at the can."

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