Post by honestlabrat on Nov 16, 2012 1:50:19 GMT -5
These are just some things I've learned from being a lab rat for quite some time now, and traveling around to many clinics...
Beware if you're a newbie to a clinic. You're at a disadvantage, simply because they don't know you. If it comes down to you and some other lab rats who are "regulars" at that clinic, guess who they will select? You're more of a risk since they don't know you, maybe you're from out of town and you could ditch out on the outpatient, or you may be crazy (and since once you dose they want you to complete the study obviously) so from their end of it, obviously it's safer to go with the local or regular lab rat that's proven to them that they complete studies and don't cause any problems. If you're a newbie to a clinic, simply screen as early as possible (even if they say it's best labs)
be polite, get as healthy as possible before check in, and if you're rejected or an alternate and sent home before dosing, don't be angry and instead be respectful and polite. They will remember this and next time you screen at least they will have a positive impression on you if you want to come back. Clinics will never admit to this type of preferences when it comes to selecting lab rats, but it does happen and when you think about it, it's understandable.
You can drink caffeine before a screening- Now you really shouldn't, but most times they aren't checking for this in your urine or blood. And if you're in a situation where you absolutely need to drink some caffeine because you're driving a far distance and are falling asleep on the road, do it.
Either work out all the time or none of the time If you work out regularly, your body is used to it, so your liver enzymes won't spike, but if you only work out sporadically, then working out before a screening could exclude you. Every body is different, so some people can get away with weightlifting or running a few days before a screening, and others need a week before, either way with a big study on the line it's not worth it so figure out how your body is in regards to exercise if you want to maintain a exercise schedule.
Screen for a backup if possible, but beware Hard core lab rats will screen for multiple studies in case they don't get invited to both for example. Be careful when doing this. Some of the larger clinics dont care if you cancel, but some of the smaller, less corporate clinics get angry when you cancel a check in after they've done all the testing on you to approve you. They won't admit this but they keep a file on you, cancel too many check ins (screenings arent as big of a deal) for whatever excuse you may have legit or not, and you'll soon realize your on their shitlist and have a worse chance of getting in someday when you least expect. So if you're going to screen for multiple studies, have a clear idea of which clinics can be your "backup" plan without any consequences.
Behavior is monitored at all times while your in the study While your in a study, it's always best to be on your best behavior. This is common sense. But many lab rats don't realize that most every clinic keeps a file on you which records if you're following the rules, behavior issues, etc and this can affect future participation. I once had a roomate who constantly complained so much that at the end of the study as he was leaving the security told him point blank he would never be allowed to return. If you're going to complain, make sure you do it in a polite way, there's no point to yell at study coordinators for issues they have no control over, or complain angrily to the food staff when they aren't cooking the food they're simply serving it from the caterer. Use common sense and think before you needlessly complain I'm not saying be a mute and take it up the *** if you think soing is unfair, but simply put, you're expendable, even if you usually get into studies there is always another lab rat willing to take your spot, so if you cause problems whether it's your attitude or being constantly late, they will notice and it could either ban you or put you on their shitlist so they basically won't use you unless they really need you to fill one of their less desirable studies, lol. Also, be careful when you're talking to other lab rats, many times the people who work at these clinics will easedrop and report anything they hear, whether it's that you told another lap rat you just out of a study, or that you checked out one of the female staff workers as she bent over, etc anything you say can be used against you. What many lab rats don't realize is that often times the people who are working hourly at these clinics feel underpaid a bit resentful towards lab rats, and so sadly some will try to make things harder for you or do you no favors. Don't put yourself in a bad situation, treat everyone with respect, be polite and on time, and if you need to bring up an issue do so with care.
Beware if you're a newbie to a clinic. You're at a disadvantage, simply because they don't know you. If it comes down to you and some other lab rats who are "regulars" at that clinic, guess who they will select? You're more of a risk since they don't know you, maybe you're from out of town and you could ditch out on the outpatient, or you may be crazy (and since once you dose they want you to complete the study obviously) so from their end of it, obviously it's safer to go with the local or regular lab rat that's proven to them that they complete studies and don't cause any problems. If you're a newbie to a clinic, simply screen as early as possible (even if they say it's best labs)
be polite, get as healthy as possible before check in, and if you're rejected or an alternate and sent home before dosing, don't be angry and instead be respectful and polite. They will remember this and next time you screen at least they will have a positive impression on you if you want to come back. Clinics will never admit to this type of preferences when it comes to selecting lab rats, but it does happen and when you think about it, it's understandable.
You can drink caffeine before a screening- Now you really shouldn't, but most times they aren't checking for this in your urine or blood. And if you're in a situation where you absolutely need to drink some caffeine because you're driving a far distance and are falling asleep on the road, do it.
Either work out all the time or none of the time If you work out regularly, your body is used to it, so your liver enzymes won't spike, but if you only work out sporadically, then working out before a screening could exclude you. Every body is different, so some people can get away with weightlifting or running a few days before a screening, and others need a week before, either way with a big study on the line it's not worth it so figure out how your body is in regards to exercise if you want to maintain a exercise schedule.
Screen for a backup if possible, but beware Hard core lab rats will screen for multiple studies in case they don't get invited to both for example. Be careful when doing this. Some of the larger clinics dont care if you cancel, but some of the smaller, less corporate clinics get angry when you cancel a check in after they've done all the testing on you to approve you. They won't admit this but they keep a file on you, cancel too many check ins (screenings arent as big of a deal) for whatever excuse you may have legit or not, and you'll soon realize your on their shitlist and have a worse chance of getting in someday when you least expect. So if you're going to screen for multiple studies, have a clear idea of which clinics can be your "backup" plan without any consequences.
Behavior is monitored at all times while your in the study While your in a study, it's always best to be on your best behavior. This is common sense. But many lab rats don't realize that most every clinic keeps a file on you which records if you're following the rules, behavior issues, etc and this can affect future participation. I once had a roomate who constantly complained so much that at the end of the study as he was leaving the security told him point blank he would never be allowed to return. If you're going to complain, make sure you do it in a polite way, there's no point to yell at study coordinators for issues they have no control over, or complain angrily to the food staff when they aren't cooking the food they're simply serving it from the caterer. Use common sense and think before you needlessly complain I'm not saying be a mute and take it up the *** if you think soing is unfair, but simply put, you're expendable, even if you usually get into studies there is always another lab rat willing to take your spot, so if you cause problems whether it's your attitude or being constantly late, they will notice and it could either ban you or put you on their shitlist so they basically won't use you unless they really need you to fill one of their less desirable studies, lol. Also, be careful when you're talking to other lab rats, many times the people who work at these clinics will easedrop and report anything they hear, whether it's that you told another lap rat you just out of a study, or that you checked out one of the female staff workers as she bent over, etc anything you say can be used against you. What many lab rats don't realize is that often times the people who are working hourly at these clinics feel underpaid a bit resentful towards lab rats, and so sadly some will try to make things harder for you or do you no favors. Don't put yourself in a bad situation, treat everyone with respect, be polite and on time, and if you need to bring up an issue do so with care.
