Post by honestlabrat on Nov 19, 2012 16:32:46 GMT -5
I'm the last person to try to scare off people from doing studies or create fake drama, especially since I'm thankful I discovered clinical research studies as way to supplement my income. As an experienced lab rat, I've pretty much seen and done it all, and often times I find it disturbing that many participants dont bother at all to care to think about the informed consent, or what the study drug is being used for, possible side effects etc. Mostly the lab rats Ive encountered simply care about the bottom line, how much $.
Now I get that, I'm not doing this for free either, and we're all doing this for the money obviously. But if you usually get into studies, and aren't against traveling to do them, you always have options. Participants need to realize this and be picky, because if you're not you could have a bad stay or effects. Here are some examples of things, minor discomforts and more serious issues, that I have known some of my friends who do studies to have encountered. I'm not doing this to discourage anyone but simply explaining that there are risks and to highlight you have options so it's best to be informed instead of a blind rat just scurrying for the biggest cheese.
MILD annoyances- radio labeled studies- having to **** in a box and deliver it to the staff. Not a big deal but not pleasant, haha.
Studies that are on a low calorie or fasting diet- again, this happens and some people end up starving the entire study, yes you just have to deal with it but for some people, feeling hungry the entire length of the study and losing a ton of weight is not ideal, as they feel they are suffering.
Eating all your food- some people are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, where they are picky eaters and dont have much of an appetite, and some clinics or certain studies make you eat all the food, and to compound this, you have to eat it in a specified period of time which is hard for some. If you dont you get fined, sometimes 25 to 30 dollars which would be a great meal elsewhere haha. Also if you keep having violations in regards to the food they may not invite you back. For example, Abbott makes you eat all the food at all times, as does spaulding, clinical, and I think Icon omaha as far as I know.
Camera phone, Cam on laptop Some clinics dont allow this, which is lame since it's hard to find a laptop or a cell phone without a camera, but most lab rats sneak in a cell easily, etc.
Types of studies I'll stay away from, (personal preference)
Any HIV study- Every HIV study I've done I've felt soing, and usually it wasn't good. Whether it was having a headache everyday, to feeling drunk in another study, HIV formulations are obviously strong, since duh, they're for the treatment of HIV. I've been in studies where people are throwing up or simply miserable and thus I avoid them now, not saying you will experience these issues but for me I dont bother because as I said, there's a lot out there.
Depression study- Again, another study you will probably experience a bunch of AE's... things such as wild dreams, not getting it up if you're a guy (temporary but still freaky) lack of appetite, headaches, etc. When you're in a long study it's difficult enough to stay active and not get bored or miserable sometimes, I'd rather do a drug created for soing besides depression. There are already a ton of meds out there for depression so this is a very competitive niche, so often times these experiemental depression drugs are out of the box with unpredictable results.
Spinal Tap- Now I know the majority of people who have done these are fine, no problems, but I also knew a guy who got totally messed up. When they do the tap you need to stay totally still, and if you flinch (unlikely) or if the doctor that does it messes up (even more unlikely) you could be for some serious damage, it's your spine. Anyhow what happened to this guy I know is that he experienced lingering pain for many months afterward, when you have back pain it's no laughing matter. He's ok now but he's an example that even though the risks are low, if you're unlucky for some reason you're going to suffer a lot and for how long is up for debate.
And finally, the study I would never ever do is the NASA bed rest study. Now I realize they have various best rest studies and for some it might be cool to be in that facility, and that's great if you want to help out with the space program, but I think the amount of compensation is too low for what you have to go through (often their studies have you lay in bed ALL DAY EVERY DAY at an angle!) or you have to have someone wipe you down bc you cant get out of the bed, with the sheer length of that study I'd go insane, not to mention when you get out you'll need some physical therapy so you dont break all your bones which have deteriorated from being in bed all day for that long. The amount of money initially seems like a huge chunk, until you divide it by the number of nights you're serving to get it. They would have to pay me soing ridiculous like 500 a day for me to even consider it, and even then I dont know if I would want to. Obviously they have no problems finding people to do it, and if you're one of them, then more power to you, but in the time to complete one of these nasa bed rest studies you could easily make a lot more doing separate studies and getting a break in between as well.
Now I get that, I'm not doing this for free either, and we're all doing this for the money obviously. But if you usually get into studies, and aren't against traveling to do them, you always have options. Participants need to realize this and be picky, because if you're not you could have a bad stay or effects. Here are some examples of things, minor discomforts and more serious issues, that I have known some of my friends who do studies to have encountered. I'm not doing this to discourage anyone but simply explaining that there are risks and to highlight you have options so it's best to be informed instead of a blind rat just scurrying for the biggest cheese.
MILD annoyances- radio labeled studies- having to **** in a box and deliver it to the staff. Not a big deal but not pleasant, haha.
Studies that are on a low calorie or fasting diet- again, this happens and some people end up starving the entire study, yes you just have to deal with it but for some people, feeling hungry the entire length of the study and losing a ton of weight is not ideal, as they feel they are suffering.
Eating all your food- some people are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, where they are picky eaters and dont have much of an appetite, and some clinics or certain studies make you eat all the food, and to compound this, you have to eat it in a specified period of time which is hard for some. If you dont you get fined, sometimes 25 to 30 dollars which would be a great meal elsewhere haha. Also if you keep having violations in regards to the food they may not invite you back. For example, Abbott makes you eat all the food at all times, as does spaulding, clinical, and I think Icon omaha as far as I know.
Camera phone, Cam on laptop Some clinics dont allow this, which is lame since it's hard to find a laptop or a cell phone without a camera, but most lab rats sneak in a cell easily, etc.
Types of studies I'll stay away from, (personal preference)
Any HIV study- Every HIV study I've done I've felt soing, and usually it wasn't good. Whether it was having a headache everyday, to feeling drunk in another study, HIV formulations are obviously strong, since duh, they're for the treatment of HIV. I've been in studies where people are throwing up or simply miserable and thus I avoid them now, not saying you will experience these issues but for me I dont bother because as I said, there's a lot out there.
Depression study- Again, another study you will probably experience a bunch of AE's... things such as wild dreams, not getting it up if you're a guy (temporary but still freaky) lack of appetite, headaches, etc. When you're in a long study it's difficult enough to stay active and not get bored or miserable sometimes, I'd rather do a drug created for soing besides depression. There are already a ton of meds out there for depression so this is a very competitive niche, so often times these experiemental depression drugs are out of the box with unpredictable results.
Spinal Tap- Now I know the majority of people who have done these are fine, no problems, but I also knew a guy who got totally messed up. When they do the tap you need to stay totally still, and if you flinch (unlikely) or if the doctor that does it messes up (even more unlikely) you could be for some serious damage, it's your spine. Anyhow what happened to this guy I know is that he experienced lingering pain for many months afterward, when you have back pain it's no laughing matter. He's ok now but he's an example that even though the risks are low, if you're unlucky for some reason you're going to suffer a lot and for how long is up for debate.
And finally, the study I would never ever do is the NASA bed rest study. Now I realize they have various best rest studies and for some it might be cool to be in that facility, and that's great if you want to help out with the space program, but I think the amount of compensation is too low for what you have to go through (often their studies have you lay in bed ALL DAY EVERY DAY at an angle!) or you have to have someone wipe you down bc you cant get out of the bed, with the sheer length of that study I'd go insane, not to mention when you get out you'll need some physical therapy so you dont break all your bones which have deteriorated from being in bed all day for that long. The amount of money initially seems like a huge chunk, until you divide it by the number of nights you're serving to get it. They would have to pay me soing ridiculous like 500 a day for me to even consider it, and even then I dont know if I would want to. Obviously they have no problems finding people to do it, and if you're one of them, then more power to you, but in the time to complete one of these nasa bed rest studies you could easily make a lot more doing separate studies and getting a break in between as well.
