Guide to Understanding Clinical Trials and Medical Research - Hepatitis C

[Aaron57]

I've been seeing quite a few folks in Clinical Trials asking questions that imo should have been cleared up before joining the trial ..

Here is a start to list of questions, concerns etc ... however not 100% complete imo ..

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/community/Clinical_Trials.htm

1 question missing from this list concerns Rescue Drugs .. some trials allow them , Many do not .. You Definitely should know the answer to this question and More ... Before entering a trial.

The Internet can be a valuable tool. However, like any tool, one needs to know how to use it well. The following are some suggestions for how to use the Internet more effectively:

Find out if the information comes from a reliable source. Information from independent and not-for-profit sources, particularly from the U.S. federal government (e.g., National Institutes of Health, FDA), a general medical society (e.g., American Medical Association) or specialty or disease society (e.g., American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) is likely to be reliable. Commercial sources (e.g., pharmaceutical companies) may be scientifically accurate, but may emphasize the positive aspects of a drug for marketing purposes.

Look for information that includes author names, medical affiliations, references, and when the material was written.

Information provided in chat rooms and discussion forums is often anecdotal and based on individual experiences, which often cannot be generalized to all people with the same condition, such as chronic hepatitis C.

Get a reliable second opinion to confirm your understanding of the research.

Question what you read. Does the research stand up to careful scrutiny?

Don’t panic. It is easy to be overwhelmed and frightened by what appears to be “bad news.” Get more information before overreacting.

Never use the Internet as a substitute for medical care.





Cheers

[Aaron57]

Great to hear your doc and you are compatible ... and that he is experienced in triple tx .. I don't believe any doctor would try to force a patient into trials , but ??

Actually your post , actually 1 of several I've read lately .... may have been the one that made me think ..
Enough .... got to post something on this again ..

This subject comes up fairly often over the years .. allot of folks consider research trials as an alternative for Tx .. and you might be surprised at how many are not informed in the areas of concern ..

Just remember folks Due Diligence so you know exactly what you are getting into ,

Best Results

[Aaron57]

I remember that thread Will & wanted to bump it up, as it does have lots of good responses and gives allot of food for thought  ..  but just couldn't find it ..

Thanks for the link to it ..

[willbb]

Just to add to the above. This was a thread started by our good friend Spectda  a few months ago ..pertaining to  questions you may want answered when thinking of participation in a trial..with many good responses.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Things-to-ask-before-participating-in-a-trial/show/1497138?personal_page_id=1008846#post_7021261

[curiouslady1]

Thanks Aaron.  Because this will come up in the search box, I will just add my 2c.  To get recruitment information on clinical trials, go to clinicaltrials.gov/ Search hepatitis c AND (name of your state).  

[nowhine]

I asked the question about the rescue drugs on trials. Thank you for the information. I have sent an email to the research cd. asking some questions regarding rescue drugs etc. My doc is very good and treating many on Incivek currently and has suggested (not forced) me on this 4 drug Gilead trial. I do have insurance and can do Incivek. I'm null responder on previous SOC. It seems if the drug companines know docs will use the rescue drugs to help folks get through regular tx. then why not incorporate them into the trials. There is much data on interf/riba.