to seek treatment or not?

[meeji]

If you found out that u had some sort of disease that there isn't a cure for but there are a couple of treatments to keep it under control and a doctor offered you 2 options.

 

1. Since the treatments are very expensive, he is pushing u to sign up in a clinical study that is kinda experiemental, since they are still searching for a cure

 

Or

 

2. decline, and do nothing.

 

Your current condition is stable. All of your testing and functions are completely normal, you have had this your whole life and never even knew, so its not affecting your lifestyle in a way or causing symptoms. Your are healthy with no other health problems.

 

Would you do the study or decline?

[TaraMaiden]

Study.

 

(!0 char's.)

[Balzac]

What phase is this trial?

[monicaelise]

If the disease isn't life-threatening or diminishing your quality of life on a day-to-day basis, you'd be wise to sit tight until you know exactly where the researchers are in terms of their study. Having watched cancer blast through the entire side of mother's family, I've gotten to see just how horrible "state of the art" can be. By the time my number came up, I knew the only thing I'd allow any level of "kinda experimental" with was the mechanical stuff (removal and reconstruction). Biochemical "failures" frequently end up creating conditions that are far worse than the disease you start with. Definitely do your research before you commit to being anyone's guinea pig.

Edited December 30, 2012 by monicaelise

[meeji]

I don't know anything about the treatment at all. When I asked the questions they wouldn't tell me anything about. They want to wait to see if I am a suitable candidate for whatever their requirements are. This condition can be life threatening if up to this point I had picked up certain habits in excess but I eat pretty healthy, go to the gym weekly and I take care of myself so in my case, its not a threat to me. It can evolve into something life threatening but I don't think it can without adding those bad habits to the mix.

 

My thing is that this treatment is going to do exactly what my immune system is already doing...so why should I bother with it. I feel like in this case, the treatment could make the condition worse, since it is isn't out of control now.

 

I don't trust doctors and I don't believe that medicine is always the best idea. I hate medicine because once you're on it, that's it. You'll be on it forever. I will not consider any kind of treatments without doing to proper research. I'm just leaning towards declining the offer and I wanted a second opinion.

 

Thanks.

[meeji]

If the disease isn't life-threatening or diminishing your quality of life on a day-to-day basis, you'd be wise to sit tight until you know exactly where the researchers are in terms of their study. Having watched cancer blast through the entire side of mother's family, I've gotten to see just how horrible "state of the art" can be. By the time my number came up, I knew the only thing I'd allow any level of "kinda experimental" with was the mechanical stuff (removal and reconstruction). Biochemical "failures" frequently end up creating conditions that are far worse than the disease you start with. Definitely do your research before you commit to being anyone's guinea pig.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your family's history. That must have been pretty tough to handle. Modern Medicine is a double-edged sword sometimes. well, a lot of time if I think about the laundry list of side affect for EVERYHTING that comes up in a commercial. I just don't trust it.

[Balzac]

You have the legal right to drop out of any trial. Trials actively seeking candidates are public knowledge. The study parameters are defined as are selection criteria. I've never heard of being recommended for a study yet not revealing the purpose, source of funding and all credentials of those running the study.

 

Whether you trust medical professionals, believe that all drugs are life long, those are personal opinion. Trials are about scientific research to be peer reviewed. You've not shared enough factual information here to guide you.

 

Many trial participants agree to participate because the treatment and many other medical tests and evaluations are no cost. Often the candidate believes in making a contribution to further develop new treatments for those who are greatly affected by a disease.

 

http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Edited December 30, 2012 by Balzac
Knowledge is POWER

[monicaelise]

I'm sorry to hear about your family's history. That must have been pretty tough to handle. Modern Medicine is a double-edged sword sometimes. well, a lot of time if I think about the laundry list of side affect for EVERYHTING that comes up in a commercial. I just don't trust it.

 

Thanks, we've all got some genetic garbage we're lugging around. If nothing else, at least I'll have a rockin' rack when this nonsense is done. Women pay big money to mangle themselves like this every day...my insurance let's me fix the cancer and the boobs for free.

 

All joking aside, I do feel very much as you do about the medical community the pervading cavalier attitudes regarding the dispensation of life altering, often deadly, chemicals. Get as much information about the study as you can and decide from there. Even with clinical trials and FDA approval things make it on to the market that shouldn't (think Fen-Phen, HRT, countless psychotropic drugs...) so, as a consumer, you just have to make sure you find out everything you can about your condition and the different treatment options available. Oh, and don't let yourself gut pushed, however well-intentioned the pusher(s) may be, into anything you feel uneasy about.

[meeji]

You have the legal right to drop out of any trial. Trials actively seeking candidates are public knowledge. The study parameters are defined as are selection criteria. I've never heard of being recommended for a study yet not revealing the purpose, source of funding and all credentials of those running the study.

 

Whether you trust medical professionals, believe that all drugs are life long, those are personal opinion. Trials are about scientific research to be peer reviewed. You've not shared enough factual information here to guide you.

 

Many trial participants agree to participate because the treatment and many other medical tests and evaluations are no cost. Often the candidate believes in making a contribution to further develop new treatments for those who are greatly affected by a disease.

 

Home - ClinicalTrials.gov

 

I know what they are. My roommate does clinical trials for a living. He does not have a job. He goes from one study to the next and they pay him pretty well. I also had friend who did some while we were in college. They were desperate for money at the time.

 

One thing good about is that he never really has to go to the doctor much. He gets tested for a number of things, probably on a monthly basis for free.

[meeji]

Thanks, we've all got some genetic garbage we're lugging around. If nothing else, at least I'll have a rockin' rack when this nonsense is done. Women pay big money to mangle themselves like this every day...my insurance let's me fix the cancer and the boobs for free.

 

All joking aside, I do feel very much as you do about the medical community the pervading cavalier attitudes regarding the dispensation of life altering, often deadly, chemicals. Get as much information about the study as you can and decide from there. Even with clinical trials and FDA approval things make it on to the market that shouldn't (think Fen-Phen, HRT, countless psychotropic drugs...) so, as a consumer, you just have to make sure you find out everything you can about your condition and the different treatment options available. Oh, and don't let yourself gut pushed, however well-intentioned the pusher(s) may be, into anything you feel uneasy about.

 

That is great news! I'm glad to hear that you are going to come out on top I like happy endings!