Clinical Trials - yes? no? what?

Newly diagnosed with Hep C 3a.  There is a clinical trial here in Dallas at UT Southwestern.  I don't know anything about trials except they are free!  Free isn't always great.  Any advice, ideas, experiences with trials?

[James10500]

Might as well. Seeing as the new drugs are only approved for G1's.

[joemc34606]

After reading some of the results on this site of the trials without interferon, I would look into them. Yes they are free but they also keep a very close watch on you, weekly blood test more doctor visits. I think it would be worth it to check into them. Good luck. Joe

[orphanedhawk]

I agree with joem, get more information, find out what they are testing and what you will be expected to do. Then you can make a decision.

Trails can be great. I'd do one if the right fit was available for me.
Good luck,
OH

[willbb]

Trials have definite upsides    ...yes there is usually no cost(if insurance coverage is a problem) and the care is most times excellent. On the downside if geno type 3 has a approx 75 % success rate treating on your own...I guess you would want to know how much that would increase potentially with whatever they are experimenting with.
Also their are sometimes restrictions treating within a trial..(ie possibly  a placebo ,,possibly no rescue drugs and  what are their plans for patients that fail the trial. to name a few)

Do lots of homework on the trial drug..ask questions on the above and then make an informed desicion...

Good luck

Will

[uncledudeness]

I am a stage 3 G 1a. I was rejected from 3 trials. after a year on the trial train, my DR told me that the Pharma companies are looking for candidates that have a better chance of clearing.
the trial descriptions do not often list the exclusions to the trials.

ask your DR about this.

[curiouslady1]

There was an all oral recruiting in San Antonio for GT 3 and the results have been amazing.  Definitely research your options at clinicaltrials.gov type in -- hepatitis c AND texas -- in the search box and you will see the wide variety of trials there are in your state.  

For uncledude there are fewer trials available but some are specific to people with liver disease.  But you have to keep careful tabs.

[adamben101]

If you're newly diagnosed, that tells me it's too soon to make the decision about trials and treating.  Take a breath and learn as much as you can from here , your Dr, books, etc.  I did over about 9-12 months before deciding to go into a trial.  I'm in one now.  So far, so good!  Good luck.  Information will help kill this disease!