What do you guys think of Clinical Trials as a means to make $$$?

[Dreighen]

I've been doing massive research online on the subject, which has opened up a whole new world to me. I did not know some people do this full time! I found a guy's site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jalr.org/frame.html" target="_blank">http://www.jalr.org/frame.html</a>, and a few trials I'd like to try. Just thought I'd get some opinions, as I wouldn't mind combining living in a van while traveling the country to do clinical trials for money.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The Nasa one I found where they pay you to lie in bed, pays up to $17,000 for 70 days in bed. Covance is another company that pays 8750.00 for one particular trial.</div><div><br></div><div>Just a thought.</div>

 

[cyndi]

Beware of scams!<BR><A href="http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html" target=_blank>http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html</A><br><br>As one who took part in a trial for an RA therapy, I won't be participating in the research of untested drugs any time soon.&nbsp; When I began to manifest different issues the researchers denied any connection to the drug and continued the therapy.&nbsp; Now the drug is being marketed with many of those symptoms, some fatal and/or debilitating,&nbsp; as side effects. I understood, when I began the trial there was a risk involved.&nbsp; That wasn't the issue.&nbsp; The issue was me nearly dieing, twice, and continuing the therapy, because the researchers denied the connection.<BR><br>

 

[Dreighen]

wow, very sorry to hear that Cyndi. From what I've learned doing research, you should have reported them to the IRB and discontinued the trial. You should be able to quit at any time without having to give a reason, if something like that were to happen.

 

[Dust of the Sun]

Dreighen<br><br>You need to RETHINK this whole topic.<br><br><br><br>

 

[cyndi]

<SPAN id=post_message_1270679925>Dreighen, thanks. </SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>I went into the trial knowing the risks. I was even happy to participate, knowing that research is necessary.When you opt to participate in any of these trials you will&nbsp;sign a non-disclosure form and a release of liability form and a few other waivers.</SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>I&nbsp;certainly&nbsp;was able to leave the program at&nbsp;any time, and I did.</SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>My whole point is that you're relying on pharmaceutical companies and&nbsp;other organizations&nbsp;who are heavy into the almighty dollar.&nbsp; That doesn't necessarily mean you'll be dealing with honest people.&nbsp; I'm sure there are organizations that are running their trials in an open and honest manner.&nbsp; How do you know which is which? Are you willing to bet your life on it?</SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>I'll tell you, too, that my RA went into total remission for about 4 years...no pain and&nbsp;no deformation during the time I was participating in the trial and for 4 years after. </SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>I can't say the same about the&nbsp;after effects of the two&nbsp; arterial bacterial infections that were&nbsp;related to the experimental drug&nbsp;therapy. Those issues are still on going.</SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>But again, I want to stress I knew that there were risks.&nbsp; I just would have liked for someone to tell me, when the infections nearly killed me, that if was due to the drug and I&nbsp;needed to&nbsp;make a decision whether to continue or not.</SPAN><BR><SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;<BR><SPAN>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </SPAN><BR>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><b>Don't do it Dragon.&nbsp; They can't be trusted. @cindi Are you better now?</b></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><b>Dragonfly</b></font></p>

 

[Dreighen]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience Cyndi. My&nbsp;curiosity and the money they pay still have the best of me. At least the one for NASA will be for a good cause - us hopefully one day stepping foot on Mars. It will be great to say I had a small part in that. Plus $17,000 couldn't hurt <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> NASA called me stated my BMI was 29.3, it has to be 29.0 in order for me to participate lol. So I have to lose that tiny bit of weight.&nbsp;

 

[CP]

These research programs can be very good or very bad for the participants.&nbsp; I have been in two.&nbsp; The one that worked the best was the one where I was one of the control subjects for the inhaled insulin.&nbsp; I was given 25 dollars to see the doctor.(later increased to $55.)&nbsp; Plus they reimbursed me for the cost of my insulin.&nbsp; I also got some very interesting lab tests done...<br>The other one involved taking Lipator and Avandia.&nbsp; I would not give Lipator to a dog...damn near killed me and made my diabetes much worse!<br><br>

 

[Dreighen]

Sorry to hear that as well CP, the trials I would be&nbsp;participating&nbsp;in would be for healthy volunteers, so my situation may differ a bit from the experiences I've read here. If or when I do finally do one, I'll update this thread with the experience.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Simply, if its a decent experience than I'll try another one, if not, then I can say I got that T shirt.</div>

 

[cyndi]

<P>Diane, I'm still kicking, thanks!</P>

 

[Dreighen]

This friday I go to a screening for what may be my first clinical trial. If the screening is successful, it will be a 3 day 2 night stay at their facility. The pay after its done is $750.00. If I can find a ride to Cypress, CA zzz.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Did you do the clinical trial? I've been thinking about you.&nbsp; I was so adamant about you not doing something like that.&nbsp; Yesterday my 20 year old daughter called me from college.&nbsp; "Guess what Mom?&nbsp; I'm in a clinical trial!"</b><br><b>Oh well, what can I do?&nbsp; It is something I approved of though.</b><br><br><b><FONT color=#00ff00 size=4>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[Dreighen]

Hey Dragonfly, I didn't get in unfortunately <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">. There was this tube thingy hooked up to a machine where I had to take 2 normal breaths then a huge one and exhale and keep pushing through my mouth (they had my nose clamped with a plastic clamp) and I couldn't exhale hard enough for the requirements. It was so weird, never done anything like that lol.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>It required like a 90, and I got an 83 all 3 times. They said not to worry, that they have had guys come in who where training for marathons and still not able to do it. Oh well, I still want to do the NASA bedrest study. But I don't have the money yet to fly to Texas to attempt it.</div>

 

[Dreighen]

Oh, that's an interesting coincidence that your daughter so happen to end up in one. Maybe she can shed some light on it for me/you on how her experience went? Thanks!

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>I approve of her clinical trial and feel better about it. It is for HPV shots. Not much money involved but the shots are free, 3 needed @ 300.00 each=900.00</P>

 

[Dreighen]

That's good to hear, anything that will help her out.

 

[sl1966]

Cypress, CA!!!!&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I grew up in the city next to it; lived there for almost 30 years. What company or organization was offering the trial?</div><div><br></div>

 

[Dreighen]

It was west coast clinical trials is the name of the company.