Have you ever taken part in a medical trial?
By Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
March 9, 2010 2:00pm CST
Yesterday, my consultant asked if I would be prepared to take part in a medical trial. It isnt one that involves taking any new medication or anything drastically different. They are just testing 3 slightly different approaches in administering treatment. Patients are placed randomly into one of 3 groups - one of which will receive the standard treatment. I have been happy to sign up for this as I am confident that, whichever group I am placed in, I will not be put at any significant risk and I will hopefully be "giving back" in a sort of appreciation for the care I have received. It may offer a chance of improved treatment for others (& myself should I need more)
2 people like this
6 responses
@GardenGerty (169585)
• United States
10 Mar 10
I haven't. At this point I have nothing wrong with me that would qualify me for any kind of trials. My hubby went and tried to apply to do one on early memory loss, but he knew all the answers to the tests that they were giving. (standardized tests given in nursing homes to monitor or detect the onset of dementia) so he did not qualify. It would have paid us some money we badly needed. His memory is much better now that his stress is less. I guess I was not aware you had an ongoing health condition.
2 people like this
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
• Australia
10 Mar 10
No i could never do that to my body or my family not knowing what the outcome could be i think it is a dangerous choice for any parent to make and a ridiculous choice for anyone to make on the behalf of their children.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
10 Mar 10
I wouldn't opt in to something on behalf of anyone else. I am going to have treatment no matter what so I do not have any fears over a slight variation. I have no reason to believe they would not be all equally effective in my case but overall recovery time and general well-being may be better with the newer variations - so, I stand to gain rather than lose. I am not one to take decisions about my health lightly.
I hope that they do not do anything weird to you! 
@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
10 Mar 10
wow! that is so courages of you. personally, i think the fact that it's "medical" and an "experiment" will really scare me away. i am not fond of risks really. i, most of the time, prefer being on the safe side lol. maybe when someone will accompany me or really encourage me to go for it and also discuss with me the benefits, then I might just give it a try..
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
10 Mar 10
As I say, its really only a minor variation on the standard treatment and one third of the participants will get the regular one anyway. I'd prefer to be in the middle group but you dont get to choose. The trial aspect is less scarey to me than having the treatment in the first place 
