honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Dec 16, 2013 0:30:44 GMT -5
I can't believe Justin is being ripped on, hes by far one of the coolest and most honest staff here! Everyone likes him since he's funny and fair with all the subjects. It seems like often times people come on here and complain if they were caught doing soing wrong etc. Anyhow has really improved overall, there is a bunch of new staff and the one that was having sex with subjects (GRACIE) is gone.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Dec 16, 2013 0:24:16 GMT -5
This facility is much nicer than madisons, it's a newer and much larger building. The rooms are HUGE, tons of space even with 4 people about 30 ent larger than the rooms at madison. The space is nice and if you like to walk, well there's ALOT of hallway to walk. The tv room has a ton of windows where you get natural sunlight which is nice and the cafeteria is large and located in the middle of the building. The staff and people are fine but the food sucks (their pizza is a joke and dont even talk about the fish) but whatever, I dont expect spaulding quality food anywhere. My main compliant is that they need a freaking drinnking water machine. The water you get in the kitchen is the same as what is coming out of the showers, why this location doesnt have a simple stand alone water dispenser is beyond comprehension. If you think water is water and don't mind then this won't bother you, but for those that like to drink a lot of water and dont like drinking nasty water than you'll notice that here.
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honestlabrat
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REVIEW
Sept 19, 2013 13:55:41 GMT -5
Post by honestlabrat on Sept 19, 2013 13:55:41 GMT -5
how is the food I've heard its worse than usual for clinical places?
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Sept 19, 2013 13:36:47 GMT -5
Can you please tell me how the food was? Do you have to eat it all?
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Aug 24, 2013 21:14:12 GMT -5
The problem is most clinics won't divulge any of that info other than what the drug is for and the dates etc, they wont tell you the side effects, number of doses, etc. That is revealed at the screening. They do tell you the number of blood draws, etc, but not all the info is shared which is unfortuneate before a subject travels far to attend the screening appointment.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Aug 24, 2013 19:55:53 GMT -5
Wanted to list another driver I have personally used to get up to spaulding from their amtrak station downtown, found her off craigslist, very nice lady and dependable. Give her a ring, Jeanatte 262-391-2825 Same rates as above driver 50.00 one way. (amtrak or airport to spaulding or back)
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Aug 24, 2013 19:51:27 GMT -5
I have a friend that's in a study there now who told me that you no longer have to eat all the food. Apparently the encourage you to eat everything still and haven't announced it during orientations of groups coming in but one of the staff members said it has been changed recently, but obviously they would like you to eat it all and if you dont will mark it down for the sponsor for information but no longer will they fine you for not eating everything. This is great news for many females who have complained and anyone who has a problem with having to eat everything etc.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Jul 29, 2013 18:50:07 GMT -5
This new clinic (the old one was one of the worst) is the nicest facility in the entire US. Similar to a 2.5 star hotel no joke.
1) real comfy mattresses, corner bathrooms all around, plasma tv's in every corner, nice fluffy towels, clean spacious bathrooms with full tiled shower stalls, tv rooms with recliners, pool tables, a library/quiet room with computers and leather couches, large cafeteria with lots of light from the windows.
They built this clinic specifically for study participants, and I challenge anyone to tell me a clinic that looks nicer or is newer. HOWEVER, the only problem that this clinic has is the HORRIBLE FOOD! How can Abbott spend so much on a nicer building and skimp on the food? They chose the food vendor simply because it was the cheapest option, it angers me because if they only improved this a bit this clinic could easily be the best in the entire nation! Also compounding the situation is that you have to eat all of it, and it's timed and the fines are ridiculous.
Tips for (If you somehow get to see this)
1) Get a new food vendor, seriously. Everyone complains and I'm sure it's the number one complaint on your "feedback" forms you give out at the end of studies.
2) Get rid of the eat everything rule! Only spaulding and a few other places do this.
3) Stagger the screenings and check ins to make it go faster, you're check in/outpatient/screening situation is a huge waste of time, it doesn't take a genius to figure out a way to make it go faster!
4) Hire more employees - so that the ones that are there won't be constantly complaining and feeling stressed which makes them take it out on the volunteers often times.
5) Actually follow through with the background checks!- As of now, you're not really even sending them out (to save costs obviously) and this scare tactic is not keeping the felons and thug life individuals from constantly returning.
Oh yeah, and finally, (if I didn't get my point across) IMPROVE THE FOOD! I don't care if you have to cater out to subway for every meal, that would be cheaper and healthier than the crap that is being forced down everyones throat now.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Jul 29, 2013 18:38:58 GMT -5
Has the food improved at all?
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Nov 19, 2012 17:25:32 GMT -5
Logically there should be a standard database for clinical study participants, (similar to for example, the DMV which tracks your driving record from state to state by your social) but that, imo will never happen. Some clinics would never want to participate because the dirty secret is they know very well many lab rats are going from study to study and not following washout period, but without these very same participants they wouldnt get some of their studies filled. In the end the name of the game as always is money, and clinics need to complete as many of these trials in a timely manner to hopefully get the drug passed to the public market.
The only way that there will be a nationwide database that tracks participants that do clinical research trials is if the government gets involved. That will only happen if soing catostrophic happens such as a much of subjects dying from a study that leads to legistation, etc. I agree in theory that a nationwide database which would track your participation at all clinics through your social makes sense and is safe for both the volunteer as well as the clinic but I dont see how they will get all the clinics to agree to join these databases until they are forced to do so. Even when these major pharmacutial companies get together at annual meetings to discuss research etc, not everyone is present, and you have the differences between the large corporate pharmacutial companies and the smaller private vendor type businesses which have different statues and ways of doing things. In the end though, it comes down to getting PAID, whether your the lab rat or the drug company.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Nov 19, 2012 17:07:45 GMT -5
Bottom line, we're all doing this for the money. Many lab rats don't bother to travel beyond their hometown clinic, and hey, that's cool. To each their own. But if you travel you can have the benefits of seeing other parts of the country you might not have experienced plus you'll be able to try out other clinics you may like better. If you're doing a long stay you'll see that obviously some clinics are better than others etc.
Anyhow for those that travel here are some tips
If you dont have a car and dont like to drive long distances, you hopefully have the option of bus or amtrak, depending on where you live. Megabus is always better, UNLESS its the greyhound express bus which are nicer and have wifi.
When you're on a greyhound, if you don't want trouble sit near the front, NOT THE BACK. I know people how have gotten their cell stolen and other things messed with, and once a bunch of guys in the back that just got out of jail were all drunk and once we got to our destination they got arrested for fighting on the bus. Also another guy I know was on a greyhound and it got stalled because someone had a gun, etc, if you're on your way to a screening or check in, these random things could screw you over.
Make sure you map out how far the clinic is away from the bus stop/amtrak stop/airport etc. Cab fares can quickly add up. There is usually always a local bus line if you do your research. For example, taking a cab to quintiles if you have no car can easily be 50 bucks or more one way depending on where you are since it's in the burbs, etc.
If you have no car, make sure you keep in touch with other lab rats and offer to chip in for gas, so they're motivated to invite you a long.
If you're flying, and going to use hotels, hotwire.com is usually the cheapest last min. If you have more time do a bid on priceline. If you travel frequently, use hotels.com because with them after 10 bookings you get to get a night at most hotels free.
If you're flying a lot, think about using spirit airlines 9 dollar club, which is an annual fee of 60 bucks, but allows you to get emails of cheap flights, well worth it if you live near an airport that has spirit air. Otherwise, orbitz, travolocity, etc are usually pretty similar, I try to use southwest if I can since they have no change fees so you can stay longer or leave earlier which comes in hand with studies since you never know in many cases how long you're going to stay.
Also, remember to utilize hostels, usually half the price of hotels, some hostels are better than others but usually they're around 25-35 a night as opposed to a discount 1 or 2 star hotel for 50-60 a night.
When driving, gas stations right near the highway are always the most expensive, when you see cheap gas on a local road take it and dont wait until you have no choice. Also if you live in a city with expensive gas prices and have a costco nearby with a gas station, the gas saving are worth the 50 dollars a year in itself besides having access to their warehouse.
If you have an older car that may or may not break down (or you think it could at any point) get a triple A membership, its only 50 bucks a year and has saved my *** many times. You're entitled to free towing, gas if you run out, lock outs, etc, very well worth it not to mention discounts on amtrak, and other stores etc.
If you dont want to get a hotel and are driving far for a screening simply drive through the night and get to the clinic parking lot and sleep. (this only works if it's somewhere not freezing of course) I dont do this anymore because I dont like driving at night (there are too many things that could go wrong including hitting a deer, etc) and think it's worth it to get a good nights rest before you screen anyhow.
And finally, try to limit the amount of online spending you do while you're in a study. Yeah you're saving money by being in the study so you're not ing food, entertainment, etc, but some people end up getting so bored they surf the net all day looking at things to and waste a huge portion of their check ing things they dont necessarily need or end up regretting,.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Nov 19, 2012 16:39:08 GMT -5
Lab rat is just a slang term as a joke and since we're on the site, just another lab rat and it's easier to type then clinical research study participant, that's why I'll just write lab rat when posting here. Some participants I've met were no more intelligent (and useful) than a sewer rat and others were some of the coolest and most intelligent people I've ever encountered so it just depends. As participants we really are helping the medical establishment and it's a necessity they compensate us or nobody would be doing these obviously.
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honestlabrat
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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.
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honestlabrat
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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.
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honestlabrat
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Post by honestlabrat on Nov 16, 2012 1:21:56 GMT -5
If I can stop anyone from making any of these mistakes, then this post was worth my time. ;D Nobody is perfect, but certain things should be common sense and when lab rats do things like this you're making life more difficult for the lab rats around you! DON'T BE THE TYPE OF LAB RAT WHO...Blares their music in the common shower area- Look, I get that you like your music and when you shower at home you like to unwind in the shower and belt it out like Trey Songz... but guess what, YOU'RE NOT AT HOME! If the clinic doesn't have individual shower stalls then everyone else showering next to you has to hear your music and your false falsetto. Talks on their cell phone loudly and angrily in the rooms We've all probably done this since it's comfortable to talk in your bed, sometimes you feel lazy and don't want to wander off outside to the halls or elsewhere to have your conversations. And besides, you asked your roomates who said it was ok. But guess what, they'd rather you have do it outside your room. Especially if your loud or having some baby mama drama, nobody wants to hear that. At worst it's distracting, at best, it's funny but we have better things to do than easedrop on your life. Try to be polite about in room conversations, take it outside if it's a longer one, your roomates will appreciate it. Is negative all the time Sometimes doing studies sucks, it's not always a great experience due to many factors. Maybe you miss being away from your friends and family, the food sucks, and you have headaches everyday as an AE. But negativity spreads really quickly and nobody wants to hear you complain, unless of course they have the same complaints and you're going to bring up some issue together to get it resolved with staff. You're there to make money, it's a job and you signed up for it, so suck it up and try to keep the complaining to a minimum if you can. Being in a long study with constant complainers simply drops everyone's mood and makes things miserable for all. Doesn't shower everyday Maybe you only shower every few days at home, or you only shampoo every few days by choice. Maybe you think you don't stink. Maybe you do and don't know it. When you're in a cramped room with strangers, just shower everyday or you're being rude. Some people simply can't smell themselves, everyone can get funky and by not showering others around you can be sensitive to your scent, whether it's your BO, your feet, or maybe you just eat a ton of garlic in your diet before you checked in, etc.
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