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Post by idoitforthepong on Oct 17, 2013 9:14:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies, I talked to my dentist about it and she didn't know how it would affect drug tests and my appointment was a day before i check-in so i canceled it. And again today luck would have it that i'm in the same situations so i'll have to push the appointment back again! But based on some web searching it seems like i have a 80-90% chance of it NOT affecting test results. Most dentist use Lidocaine not Novacaine anymore but both had some risk of false positives for cocaine. Since my cavities aren't giving me any pain i'm not going to take any chance with it at this point...especially under 24 hours between dental work and a screening. I found a good table that talks about drugs, legal and not, that can skew results, scroll down more for second table that includes OTC drugs: doctorspiller.com/Local_Anesthetics/local__anesthesia_7.htm
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Post by idoitforthepong on Oct 7, 2013 11:00:47 GMT -5
Most clinics don't specify against doing (or ask about) any dental work before or during screenings/check-ins but i wonder if it could skew soing or provide a positive on a drug test. I'm mostly concerned about cavity work since i have a few scheduled in between a multi stay check in. My dentist just uses a shot to numb...no gas or anything else.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Sept 7, 2013 17:13:27 GMT -5
If your in Chicago you have 3 phase 1 clinics to choose from...two you can get to with megabus or metra. just came out with one and covance should be getting a lot more in soon since usually they have a few to choose from. Being in school makes it hard to work around your schedule unless you find a OPV (where you just go in for a quick blood draw and your done for the day). I suppose if your will to refrain from turkey, football and family you can go during Thanksgiving break...or winter break for that matter.
Also, keep an eye on Craigs list for smaller studies at University of chicago, Rush or Northwestern. Good luck
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Post by idoitforthepong on Sept 7, 2013 16:59:01 GMT -5
Detriot, sure...hell maybe two houses for that much, many options for sub 15k houses in a lot of cities but they are gutted, fire damaged, poor condition and in sketchy neighborhoods. I thought about some in Chicago (since getting a mortgage would be next to impossible with 90% trial income i'm guessing) but a lot of homes are for auction and outside investers have so much cash that its hard to come close to outbiding them. The homes that are left may be bought cash but then your talking 40k or more for utilities and getting up to code. plus chicago is a hard city to work with.
Vark i'm curious to how your home ing/rehabing is going? Did you in Indy by any chance?
Also 15k is possible (did it by August this year) and i haven't even traveled much. Go big study to big study stay at hostels, family, and then you don't have to worry much about rent...let alone food if your in trial a lot.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Jun 8, 2013 15:50:53 GMT -5
Travelingrat, i'm sorry to hear about your negative experience with the IRB and other clinics that suppress side effects and other non professional and corrupt behavior. I't is a shame that goes on and we as lab rats should not just let it go just because we want to see those dollars. I have not encountered any of this nonsense but i'm sure there are some questionable clinics out there somewhere.
We should all report AEs/side effects as accurately as we can. All of the clinics i have been to do stress this at the beginning of the but unfortunately it does seem to go over some subjects heads. I think a clinic would rather have a honest subject that reports things then one who just "sucks thing up" all the time...and thus distorts the science of the study.
It's sad to hear the story about the elderly gentleman hitting his head after passing out. Though clinics try their best to curb this I think they can do more to ensure our safety and make sure things like this DONT happen. For one thing, have easy access to nurse CALL buttons. Some places have pull cords in the room and bathrooms which helps, while some don't. Some times you just have to rely on others around you to look out for you. But if your the only one in your room and at the end of the hall what do you do if your having an emergency or pass out??...hope someone can hear you yell or gets to you sooner or later!? I'm not advocating making us all wear helmets and sit rooms with padded walls, but a little more thought and care for patients safety is a good start.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Jun 6, 2013 18:34:07 GMT -5
Well carmel sounds like your in the "don't knock it till you try it camp" with regards to the nasa studies. Props to you for going through with one though...that takes a unique individual. Me, i will still knock it (but will try to keep it to myself) but will NOT try it. I think most subjects like the down time that comes with trials, there is a lot of freedom in studies...as free as you can be behind clinic doors anyway. Being "chained" to a bed 24/7 is not my idea of freedom. That has to take a toll on you mentally and physically. But hey if your a patient person (i'm not) and you can pull it off, that's some good money...and you can help NASA with it's star wars program or whatever their up to these days.
Back to the original thread above: One big question i still have is what do these Doctors that are championing the ban of studies propose as a alternative to clinical trials?? Skip healthy subjects and head straight to the later phases? Test more on animals...gitmo detainees? (kidding on that don't go aclu on me) Really i would like to know what kind of plan they envision without phase 1 trials?!
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Post by idoitforthepong on Jun 6, 2013 11:21:51 GMT -5
I would have to disagree with the doctors that think trials are immoral and want them banned. If anything question the morality of testing on animals that don't get nice informed consents to sign. All of us human lab rats know that this is OUR decision to participate and we can opt out anytime...soing those beagles and real rats cant do.
I would like to see some hard data on the number of subjects that have had bad and long lasting side effects from a study out of all the subjects that came out ok. My guess is it wont be that higher than workplace injuries in some fields...even the more benign ones. Just speaking anecdotal, i know i haven't had any problems after doing this about two years and have just heard of a few cases of subjects getting sick temporarily from the drug but no hard-core side effects. Yes there is risk (small as it is), as there is everwhere in the world. Compared to other jobs i've work "lab-ratting" is one of the safest ones. I've almost been killed by falling tree limbs (one week at that place), fallen off roofs, passed out from heat exhaustion. And white collar jobs are not immune to ill effects as well: i've developed carpal tunnel and eye issues from a desk job! To me the riskiest part about studies is the early morning (caffeine and foodless) multi-hour drive to clinics, after all 1000+ people died in my state last year in auto accedients...0 deaths in trials.
As other are saying i do question some trials out there and do my part to diligently read and ask questions in the interviews. Some trials may do some questionable things that i will avoid...nasa trials are one of them. I think the clinics do their job well, i question big pharma since there are companies that have rushed studies or outright manipulated them. I more so question the morality of drug sales people and their relationships with scrip happy doctors.
Good luck on the article..i'll be curious to see it.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Apr 15, 2013 10:18:54 GMT -5
What about sleeping in airports?? I see they roll out the cots when there are massive delays but what if i take the red-eye in to a airport that is close to the clinic (PPD for example) can i just crash on the chairs at the gate or will security be on my *** in a heartbeat?
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Post by idoitforthepong on Apr 15, 2013 10:10:18 GMT -5
Yeah it's pretty hard to maintain any stable full time (ans some part time jobs) when your doing studies. The beauty is you don't really have to...if you find big studies and are willing to make time and material sacrifices in your life.
Myself i do occasional sales/marketing gigs that i can pick and choose what dates i want to work and also do landscaping/gardening jobs that i set the days since i'm basically self employed. Not always the steadiest work but i love having the freedom to choose when i want to work and can work in studies here and there. I know some guys that will have a small business that they can work at remotely in studies or some will do online jobs that they can take into studies as well.
Keep an eye on the gigs section in craits list or post your own in the services section if you have a skill/trade you are good at. Even if your not a Handy Man pro you can offer to clean, move people, walk dogs etc etc
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Post by idoitforthepong on Apr 4, 2013 0:10:56 GMT -5
Vark, looks like you got A LOT written off of your gross...I'm a bit envious i must admit! I'm guessing you did long trips for most of your labratting?
I have to pay close to 1700 (state and fed) from less gross and thats with about 4000 miles deducted...but no other travel expenses.
Having to owe 1700 soon is a bit of a shocker, but that's what we get with getting our lump sum and getting the 1099s back later. My tax preparer said soing about making next years tax payments to 1099s quarterly. I'm not to sure on how to do this but it will help ease the pain of getting hit come tax time. In the mean time i'll be waiting for a clinic to up on the Cayman islands.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Apr 1, 2013 11:17:50 GMT -5
Hey GG. Congrats on being done with the study...i'm pretty sure i was in the same one by the way...though i didn't hear anything about this new tax law. I was sent 1099s (misc income, which i'm flipping out about right now because i can't find them!!) from all my clinics i was at last year so I wouldn't see why we don't have to pay. That is the clinics assume we follow proper tax code and the IRS assumes we do our "patriotic duty" within the bounds of all laws.
Looks like all the talk on this board and other subjects i've talked with have reported their study income for the last year. Maybe going forward for 2013 soing will change but i doubt it. Only thing i can think of is that maybe your roomies income of studies was under the threshold where it needs to be reported??
If you've driven a lot to clinics last year then tally up your mileage (i'm not totally sure how to present this since i haven't done my taxes yet...see my previous posts on this for more) You may increase your refund significantly if all works out.
Good luck...and let us know if you hear anything more on this or any tax issues
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Post by idoitforthepong on Mar 26, 2013 11:14:42 GMT -5
Just about every clinic for almost every study tests for ine. It Depends how "mild" of a smoker you were really. you may need more time,(I've heard mixed results on this) though any trace amounts they will just consider it second hand smoke exposure.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Mar 21, 2013 15:56:58 GMT -5
I will be going to a local community college that does free tax prep for low income earners (<50k). I hear that people are writing off their mileage but from what i read on the IRS website i'm not sure if that would apply to me. I think you have to declare the car for use for a business do get reimbursement and any driving to clinics is considered commuting cost and NOT reimbursed. Or am i wrong on this? Is there a distance requirement?
Either way i have mad a spreadsheet of my number of visits to clinics and mileage along with toll costs and will bring to the college to see what if any help i get with that. Will i need any other "proof" such as informed consents with dates of studies and addresses? i don't have any gas receipts other than on credit card statements.
also do certain states reimburse too or just federal taxes?
thanks...any advice will be greatly appreciated.
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Post by idoitforthepong on Feb 8, 2013 13:39:46 GMT -5
I'm thinking about doing some travel-rating in the future and would like to know which clinics i can go to. I'm in Chicago and so i've been told by Prism, Celerion (except in Neptune for some reason), WCCT, and some in KC, that i'm to far. WCCT said i need a CA state ID but i'm not sure if others require proper in state ID or if a hostel address would suffice. any ideas??
Also any other clinics in California...preferably by San Fran or LA?
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Post by idoitforthepong on Feb 1, 2013 19:51:00 GMT -5
First of all do you really know why they didn't accept you? Could be soing other than CPK. Working out doesn't throw it off necessarily..especially 3 days before...unless you rarely work out and then bombed your body with a lot of weights and cardio.
Don't do niacin...that could throw enzymes levels off. ask the clinic if they can send your your labs or just tell you what was off. If it's CPK i don't know what to tell you other than lay off exercise for longer before screening.
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