Sunday, July 18, 2010
Hi All,
I have just decided to participate in a Stage III drug trial for a new drug that is a serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor. Has anyone participated in a trial before? I've taken a few other drugs before that didn't work or made things worse. I thought that if this could work and at least I could have a few months of relief I could get some work done. I just need a break. It would be bad if this drug works well and then I can no longer take it when the trial ends. What are your experiences for those who have done a clinical trial?
They would also supply the mediction, so you wouldn't be out the cost of that for a few weeks or months.
I wasn't in a new med trial, but I did participate in a study that compared the effectiveness of Seroquel vs. Zyprexa. I got my medication free for one year from my regular pharmacy. I even started out on Seroquel and it didn't work, and they agreed to switch me to Zyprexa. So there is that. But you have a valid concern about what would happen if the trial med really, really helped and was not going to be approved by the FDA for another year or two.
My sister participated in a study/trial for about 12 yrs. Everyone else in her study died (of cirrhosis) within about the first 5 years. She was in a blind study where she didn't know if she was getting the med or a placebo. But we believe she got the medication and it extended her life over double what it might have been.
Donna