What do you think about Prometa?

lsyorke, RN · Jul 29, 2006

This isn't a drug... it's a privately created treatment "plan".

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-morrison6apr06,1,7098810.column?coll=la-util-op-ed

bruinlaura · Jul 29, 2006

You're right, it is a treament plan. However, the main component of this plan is the medication administered.

I know it is new and claims to reduce physical cravings. Has anybody worked with this? I'd love to know more. Thanks.

lsyorke, RN · Jul 29, 2006

I see a HUGE red flag when a "program" won't talk about the meds that they iuse, except to say that they aren't FDA approved, the "program" isn't not covered by insurance, and it's only available at privately owned clinics. Their website is great marketing, but no information of substance. The major red flag is that the "program" has NOT been evaluated for safety, has had no clinical trial evaluations done and they state that they "make no representation about the safety of these treatment programs."

Trauma Columnist · Jul 30, 2006

I have a lot of questions too:

1. What is the medication?

2. It seems to be some type of IV "infusion" - is that correct?

3. Was informed consent obtained with risks and benefits identified?

I think this is some kind of slick ad campaign.

bruinlaura · Aug 31, 2006

I found this article on google. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060621/20060621005309.html?.v=1

I've been hesitant to share this but after seeing a 5 page thread on methamphetamine use I figured maybe it will help someone. My sister is a meth addict. She has been on this program for a little over a month now. It involves an IV infusion (outpatient) for the first 3 days and then for 3 more days after a month. There are medications to take home as well, most of which are off-label use. I forget which one but she's on some sort of anti-seizure med (absolutely no hx of sz) as well as an antidepressant (however that isn't off-label as she has a hx of depression). Also her program has an outpatient rehab program component too (meetings/counseling).

I don't know if it works long term but I do know that she has been clean for 38 days which is pretty much a miracle (and we test her even though the rehab does too). I've never seen her succeed for longer than 2 weeks. She claims she has only had 1 craving since starting the program.

But most of all she is her old self. The fun, outgoing, likes-to-be-with-her family person that she was before this nightmare began. And for drugs being so much fun I've heard her laugh more in the past week (I'm home visiting) than the past 5 years. Ok I'm going to stop before I break down crying. I am very hopeful for this program and at this point I no longer care how sketchy it sounds to anyone else (and I did when learned my parents paid up the ying-yang for something not approved by the FDA).

Dorito, ASN, RN · Aug 31, 2006

Good luck to your sister's recovery. Everyone's program is different and it sounds like this is working for her. Continue to be supportive. Take it one day at a time and don't hang all your hopes and dreams on her recovery. My brother was in and out of rehab for alcoholism and I used to get so angry and depressed if he relapsed. He's been clean and sober for many years now but he had to find out what worked for him. Good luck.

bruinlaura · Aug 31, 2006

Good luck to your sister's recovery. Everyone's program is different and it sounds like this is working for her. Continue to be supportive. Take it one day at a time and don't hang all your hopes and dreams on her recovery. My brother was in and out of rehab for alcoholism and I used to get so angry and depressed if he relapsed. He's been clean and sober for many years now but he had to find out what worked for him. Good luck.

Thanks for your kind words. I realize the chances of relapse are high with meth use and I am cautiously optimistic. This is actually about the 3rd rehab program she's tried and she relapsed countless times while in the others. I'm pretty used to it but it still hurts every time.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 1, 2006

Drug use affects the family in so many ways. It is so hard to watch our loved ones self-destruct. I will keep you and your dear sister in my prayers.

HughB · Oct 7, 2006

I have been posting responses like crazy since I got the PROMETA treatment. I am so excited for all the people out there like me, who have battled crystal meth dependance. I am on the 5th day of the protocol. I have undergone 3 consecutive days of IV treatment and oral medications. The best way to describe what the treatment has done for me is that PROMETA has taken away the memory of what it's like to drink alcohol, do cocaine and meth. I had problems with all of these drugs. Crystal meth was my biggest problem. If I am only on the 5th day, I can't imagine what it will be like when the treatment is done in a few days.

bruinlaura · Oct 7, 2006

I wish you the best HughB! My sister has now been clean for 2 months and it has helped reduce her meth cravings ALOT.

MsPiggy · Feb 5, 2007

The facilty I work at is doing the Prometa tx now and charging $15,000+ for the tx. It's been about 4 months and sadly I have seen only 1 sucess story out of about 10 patients that have antied up the $. I hear lots of miracle story's but mostly from the Prometa reps so it's great to hear successes from those acutally receiving it!

I remain skeptical, but hopeful at this point. The sad part to me is the average meth addict will never receive this treatment unless they have family willing to cough up the $, sadly most do not.

-MsP