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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dawnfawn on December 22, 2004, at 8:47:52
There are always ongoing drug studies where I live. Currently a biggie in the field SPRI is conducting one on anti-anxiety drugs. I have been having no relief from therapy in the past year for my hypochondria. LOL a hyponchondriac agreeing to test a new drug..... I also have seen a rash of unusually bad and ineffecient therapists. (there are other listings outling these folks). Have any of you ever done this type of study? I'm a little scared. Any advice.
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 11:56:07
In reply to Has anyone participated in a drug study?, posted by dawnfawn on December 22, 2004, at 8:47:52
I have been in a couple of studies and, in general, I don't recommend them.
First of all, the whole process of a drug trial can be a hassle. You'll have to go to the clinic/hospital for an evaluation, then there will be several return trips to get your medication and for follow-up evaluations (assuming you meet the criteria for inclusion in the study). This is a real pain if you have a job as you will have to take time off and make up excuses for your bosses and co-workers (unless you are comfortable telling them you are taking part in a study for a drug treatment for mental illness).
Second, you only have a 50% chance of actually getting the active treatment (as opposed to a sugar pill placebo - assuming it is a double-blind study). Though, if you do receive a placebo, you may be offered the active treatment for a period of time after the trial period has ended.
Third, even if you do get the active treatment, there is no telling if it will work or not. There is always a chance that it will, but if you have really tried every other drug on the market and had no success, then ther isn't much of a reason to think that the drug in question is for you. Especially if the drug isn't specifically tailored to treat your particular condition.
Fourth, and this is the worst part of the bargain in my opinion, even if the drug does work great for you, you will only be allowed to take it for the length of the study (usually not more than 4-8 weeks). After that, you will have withdrawal to deal with which may leave you worse off than you were to begin with.
Posted by ghost on December 22, 2004, at 14:39:57
In reply to Re: Has anyone participated in a drug study?, posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 11:56:07
Dan's got a LOT of valid points.
I'd just like to add a #5:
Drugs that go into clinical trials in humans still have a LOT of bugs to be worked out. Basically, they didn't cause irreparable horrifying harm to small animals. They don't know if it does what they want it to do, or how they want it to do it, or what the side effects will be. (That's your job.)
Now, I think that human studies are ESSENTIAL to the drug industry, and we can't get drugs out the door without them (I work for a pharmaceutical company), but I think people should think VERY hard about these studies. I also think they're very good options for people with no other options. Often if a drug is found to work during a study, you'll be offered treatment afterwards (as Dan said), but they can't always continue that treatment beyond a period of time.
That's my rant for the day.
I knew a girl in grad school who used to do these studies for various things. I don't know how/why she did them (well I know why-- the money), because they sounded awful. she'd be given the drug (various routes, too, including a vaginal suppository!), and they'd draw blood hourly (or more) for two days solid. She had to stay overnight. They didn't even give her an IV-- they stuck her that many times! Unbelievable.
I guess what works for her might not work for me. And without her there won't be drugs to help me. But still. Wow.
Anyhow. Really. I'm done ranting now.
Take care,
ghost
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 15:08:49
In reply to Re: Has anyone participated in a drug study?, posted by ghost on December 22, 2004, at 14:39:57
Yes, #5 is probably the most important point of all: you are the guinea pig.
funny you should mention the blood drawing thing . . I just finished participating in a clinical trial for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and had a blood-drawing nightmare.
I only had to have blood drawn once at the beginning of the study, but the doctor who did the drawing was the single most incompetant individual I have ever come across. He had absolutely no idea what he was doing, and by the time the several minute-long painful, repetitive jabbing was done (all to fill two tiny vials with blood), both of my arms were bloody, black and blue and there was blood dripped all over the counter top where my arm had rested.
>
> I knew a girl in grad school who used to do l suppository!), and they'd draw blood hourly (or more) for two days solid. She had to stay overnight. They didn't even give her an IV-- they stuck her that many times! Unbelievable.
>
> I guess what works for her might not work for me. And without her there won't be drugs to help me. But still. Wow.
>
> Anyhow. Really. I'm done ranting now.
>
>
> Take care,
> ghost
Posted by rvanson on December 24, 2004, at 3:16:43
In reply to Has anyone participated in a drug study?, posted by dawnfawn on December 22, 2004, at 8:47:52
> There are always ongoing drug studies where I live. Currently a biggie in the field SPRI is conducting one on anti-anxiety drugs. I have been having no relief from therapy in the past year for my hypochondria. LOL a hyponchondriac agreeing to test a new drug..... I also have seen a rash of unusually bad and ineffecient therapists. (there are other listings outling these folks). Have any of you ever done this type of study? I'm a little scared. Any advice.
Yes, back in 1987. I dont recommend it as a form of drug therapy or anything of the sort.You may not be able to obtain the medication after the study is over. If the med did help you, that will be a major let-down, assuming it isn't a placebo that you receive.
Like the other poster said, its really a big hassle, unless you are not currently working.
Then again, someone has to do it, else we would have no new medications.
This is the end of the thread.
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