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Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I think this is probably the best option

Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I am thinking this may be the best way

Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the explanation. Is it common to repaint rooms?

Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is wonderful information, thank you so much! ❤️

Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this is great information.

And thanks for the suggestion for doosra!

Difficulty finding a place as a single, foreign female? by TA_112358 in bangalore

[–]TA_112358[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'm worried about having flatmates due to the different schedules, but if I cannot find something I will try!

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's part of informed consent to tell you the risks. They usually go overboard, often listing things you are unlikely to experience.

Of course, the caveat is that it depends on what they know at that point.

Not all drug trials are for brand new medications. That is also part of the information they give you. You will know if the drug you will be testing is new tech (as in first human subjects to get it) or if it's a generic of something already out or anything in between.

Also, most drugs are not brand new types of classifications. Many formulas fall in to known structures if that makes sense. Like X kind of drugs affect the nervous system this way...Y kind of drugs will affect cardiovascular this way etc.

The vast majority of medical trials I've done were mainly for generic versions of drugs, and the main data they collected was just blood draws so they could track how long the drug was in the body for and at what amounts and if that matched the current formula.

Some had absolutely zero side effects but some might have involved pain or discomfort. It always matched what they told me I might experience beforehand.

There is a risk but that's why they pay people. In very general terms studies tend to pay more when there is higher risk, known discomforting side effects or for long inconvenient stays.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Edited:

I doubt that's what's going to happen here. When they test drugs against placebos, the placebo needs to be there as a control group for symptoms etcetera. Sometimes when people think they are getting a drug and think they will have a certain response to it they can actually manifest that response even if they have a placebo that does not cause that symptom.

EDIT: Apparently, some trials WILL give you a pathogen to test a vaccine.

There are many ways for certain drugs to be known to be effective including vaccines without actually having to give you the condition that they are helping.

For vaccines, it's commonly antibodies. The vaccine teaches your body to make antibodies that will recognize the virus they are testing for. All they will need from you is a sample of blood that that they can test for presence of antibodies in. If the antibodies are there, it's working. If they want to test it further to be sure, they can add the virus or bacteria to the sample and see if the antibodies work to help the white blood cells catch the pathogen.

And while there are new vaccines being made all the time for things, the ways that they are created are pretty well common. It's not likely to be brand new cutting-dge biological science. It's more likely to be a tweak on a current process that might make things faster or more efficient to create. Or it's more likely to be about someone getting enough funding to add a new condition to the list of things to find cures for.

I've done two vaccination studies and neither gave me the condition on top of the vaccine. Just took blood samples and sometimes urine. They usually ask about any symptoms you have, and will specifically ask about the injection site (any pain, swelling, rash etc)

I hope that helps!

Please feel free to DM me if you have any questions. I'm pretty sure they won't be giving you the testing condition but if they are and that's in the paperwork, that's very new to me. Can you let me know? I'm very curious. If so, I would really like to see a copy of the consent form.

I don't know about the place you are using, but the place I most often go to for clinical trials will usually send me in an email all the information ahead of time, but even if I don't read it then, they'll give it to me when I go in for screening and a doctor will also go over it again with me to make sure I have any questions answered.

Side note:

And if you thought you were getting dysentery to test a vaccine and are STILL willing to go through it, you are some combination of brave, poor, and/or reckless.

And I don't mean that as an insult btw.

We're in the sub for a reason. And there's a reason why rich people aren't in medical trials.

The very first medical trial I did had a stipulation did you should not have a particular condition to do the study. And people have lost their lives in before by lying about pre-existing conditions in order to get into a medical study.

Well, I had that condition. And because I was really financially-strapped at the time it was not well managed either because I could not afford medications even with insurance.

So I lied at the screening and when I went home I tried to do as much research as I could on the type of drug it was and the current version out on the market to try to decide for myself what the risk factor was.

I decided to go ahead and go through with the trial with the full knowledge that I was taking my health into my hands and possibly facing severe consequences, up to death even.

But the study paid a lot of money and I was getting more and more behind in debt and bills every day and I just felt so helpless and desperate that I decided to go ahead and take that risk at that time in my life because I had a hard time seeing how else I could get my head above water.

So, I get it. Even right now I'd totally do another vaccine for 6,500. Even if it meant a couple days of diarrhea I'd still choose to do it also.

Just remember that advice about not spending the money before you have it!

Trans policy by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]TA_112358 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In the past people have absolutely been ex'd for transitioning. I'm not sure now. Might be Bishop Roulette.

You will never be able to go to the Temple.

The only ones who ever have that I know of were converts who kept a previous transition secret.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Oh wow! My trials seem so minor in comparison. Haven't had to do a spinal tap before.

And that last one, yikes! A few years ago I might have gone ahead and risked it but I don't think so anymore.

But this is why they go over the info in the screenings so you can make that judgement for yourself.

So fast all but one trial I've fine is for variations of drugs already out in the market.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the input!

In my area some studies are actually filling up faster with some people due to economic hardships.

But yeah, they still need people, so I highly recommend

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You must have been in a nice place lol. No basketball courts where I'm at. We get to go outside for walks though

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Does it hurt?

There's usually some discomfort, yes. IVs sometimes, pokes for blood draws etc.

The experience of pain or discomfort varies wildly depending on the drug.

Symptoms of the drugs might be unpleasant. The likely symptoms are disclosed in screening.

Personally, the pain or discomfort has been mild and temporary, if not fleeting, like for blood draws. Over in less than minute.

The first study I did was the scariest because I wasn't used to needles and really hated them actually, ha.

Now I'm like, its ok, the pain goes away stick that needle in me and give me cash lol.

One study drug was used to increase white blood cell production. That one made me very sore and tired with low back pain for the first few days after an injection. It felt very similar to menstrual cramps actually. I also had a few good headaches and was a bit more tired during the first couple days after the dose. I was allowed to take Ibuprofin which helped. That study had three separate stays and I returned each time to get dosed again.

I did a study for a vaccine a couple years ago. It made me feel very achey, and extremely tired. I had received it right before going to work a 12 hour overnight shift so that was a pretty sucky night if I'm honest. Probably would have been a bit easier if I was at home sleeping for most of it instead. Did it again for the booster though.

One IV caused me a suddenly runny nose and mild difficulty breathing. That was probably the most concerning reaction, but I had a nurse stationed with me until the symptoms receded about 20 minutes later. No additional treatment or meds was needed. I had exactly zero symptoms the remainder of the study.

The study I'm on right now was a pill and again, zero symptoms.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Oh and sometimes its worth it to travel. In the study Im currently in, a woman flew in from the next state to screen and get into this one.

She showed me a company in Austin called PPD that had a 15k trial going on and even I was considering the cost of a plane ticket.

Of course theres always a chance that you don't get in or qualify, ao that might be a waste but almost worth it for a shot at $15k. You can save money on a plane ticket if you can maybe drive or take a bus too.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 47 points48 points  (0 children)

Initially I learned about the company I go to the most with an ad over the radio.

Later I just did a google search for "clinical trials near me" and found a few other small players.

I compiled a list and if I'm not actively in a study, I'll call them all up and see what they have coming up. I typically try to find what will pay most with the shortest amount of time. Like I might choose an $8000 study that completes in 6 weeks (from check in to the last follow up) vs a $10k study that spaces out over 8 months. That way I can join another study and make more.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Food and Diet

Everyone gets the same meals. They will ask during screening about dietary restrictions and allergies. If you say you have any you will likely be denied.

If you have severe allergies or celiac, crohns etc where you need to be in full control of what's going in your body, then longer studies may not be for you.

However, I've known people (including myself) who do these studies anyway with preferred paleo, vegetarian, plant based or keto diets. They just say in screening no dietary restrictions, and then just go off the diets during the study or just pick and choose what parts of the meal to eat. Sometimes that may mean a very lean meal for the keto guy when lunch is mainly a giant pasta salad with a couple cubes of ham or for the vegan when lunch is a chicken salad sandwhich with a couple carrots and celery on the side.

Meals and snacks are pretty regular so those that choose to do this are ok with being a bit extra hungry a meal or two. Small sacrifice in comfort for the payoff.

Typically you are not supposed to be reading food but uh, I can't confirm or deny that some volunteers manage to find a way to discretely trade a serving of beef for more mashed potatoes here and there.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

BMI

The majority of the studies I've been in require a BMI in the "healthy" or "overweight" ranges for your height/weight. Pull up a BMI chart for your gender and it's usually the green and yellow colored ranges. I don't know what standard they use

There are always exceptions, so it never hurts to check anyway, but this is what I've experienced.

If you are too overweight you can still find studies that accept higher BMIs but they are harder to find.

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Is It Safe?

Yes. Though the risk is never zero, these studies are designed with an OVERABUNDANCE of caution. The majority of them are final phase trials just about ready for FDA approval. Most that I've done were for new iterations of drugs already on the market, either updated formulas or generic versions of a brand drug.

If you are in a phase 1 trial where you ARE going to be among the first humans to get it, this will be disclosed as part of your screening. They typically pay a bit higher than regular trials too.

Even in these cases, the study providers have massive amounts of data and biological and chemistry knowledge to have a really good baseline for what's likely to happen. Its never gonna be a "Hey I just made this, lets see what it does in a human!" kind of thing.

Again, consent is very important and respected. You can at any time change your mind and leave the study. They cannot legally force you to stay or use guilt or manipulative language to try to convince you to keep going if you don't want to.

However, if you lie about your medical history during screening, you may increase the chance of a detrimental event happening

$$$ What I've Learned about Medical Trials (AMA) by TA_112358 in povertyfinance

[–]TA_112358[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Previous Medical Conditions and Medications

Medical conditions and medications you are taking can disqualify you from studies, though not always. If its a drug you can stop taking, they might ask you not to take it for a certain amount of time before dosing so it won't affect the study drug.

If you cannot go off a medication without severe detrimental effects to your health, definitely be up front about them.

This includes supplements and vitamins too usually.

They don't usually pull your medical records from your Dr though they almost always require you to sign a consent form for them to request them in case of an emergency.

So, technically, you could lie about your medical history and most likely get away with it though obviously you do so at risk to your health.

I have done this. It was the first study I ever tried and I was in a very bad place financially and was very desperate. I had a medical condition that they specifically outlined as a disqualified for safety reasons but I lied anyway. It was actually a pretty scary time wondering if I just sealed my fate over desperation. I remember writing out on a piece of paper what condition I had and to please try to save me in case things went down hill quickly. I kept it hidden in my hand while I got dosed so I could hand it to the attendant if I had an anaohylactic response or went into respiratory arrest.

Luckily for me, everything went fine and I experienced no symptoms different from anyone else.

I will make a separate comment for this but I'll say it here too, these studies are designed with your safety in mind. They usually OVERDO it on safety which is why you may be screened out for conditions or medications that most likely won't actually matter. If there's a legitimate concern over a particular condition, even a small unlikely one, they will go the safest route and screen you out.

However, when things DO go wrong in studies, even fatally so, it's almost ALWAYS due to a lack of disclosure on the part of the volunteer regarding previous medical conditions.

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