Medical Research?

[rich110991]

Lol don’t laugh at me (Jon ) but has anyone ever been paid to do medical research trials? I’ve just applied for a couple but I’m a smoker so it’s hard to find ones because most of them say non-smokers but I thought I’d give it a shot. It’s good money. I don’t know what my chances of getting accepted are.

 

[Topaz]

I know its not proper medical research, but when my daughter was little, she often used to be a 'patient' for medical student doing their exams. She has CF, but was very well and didn't present with the usual symptoms at that time. It was quite fun. A very lively 2 year old bombing around the room, while the students tried to examine her and find out what was wrong. They would beg me to tell them what she had, but of course I couldn't. Once they had finally figured it out, I could then educate them on the condition, as I always knew more about it than them.
We used to get paid expenses plus a bit extra and some treats for her. Unfortunately, we had to stop, as she got to the age where she would tell them immediately what she had lol.
She also tried out new treatments, which were coming thick and fast at the time. We had to sign all sorts of forms to do so. We didn't get paid, but felt it was for the good of all CF patients. All of those drugs are now mainstream treatments for people with CF and I like to think that she saved lives by being one of the first to try them.
I also think that early access to the drugs have made a difference to her, as she has far outstripped her 'use by' date and is still going strong at 31.

 

[Kingsavvysaver]

I know its not proper medical research, but when my daughter was little, she often used to be a 'patient' for medical student doing their exams. She has CF, but was very well and didn't present with the usual symptoms at that time. It was quite fun. A very lively 2 year old bombing around the room, while the students tried to examine her and find out what was wrong. They would beg me to tell them what she had, but of course I couldn't. Once they had finally figured it out, I could then educate them on the condition, as I always knew more about it than them.
We used to get paid expenses plus a bit extra and some treats for her. Unfortunately, we had to stop, as she got to the age where she would tell them immediately what she had lol.
She also tried out new treatments, which were coming thick and fast at the time. We had to sign all sorts of forms to do so. We didn't get paid, but felt it was for the good of all CF patients. All of those drugs are now mainstream treatments for people with CF and I like to think that she saved lives by being one of the first to try them.
I also think that early access to the drugs have made a difference to her, as she has far outstripped her 'use by' date and is still going strong at 31.

That is such an amazing story

 

[Jon]

They offer this in Leeds as I used to walk past a place in the city centre that had a GIANT poster outside it with a happy smiley family on it smug about their payments!

 

[homie]

Your health is one of the most important things you have. I wouldn't risk it myself.

 

[Jon]

Your health is one of the most important things you have. I wouldn't risk it myself.

but do thousands of people each month not do these sort of trials?

 

[rich110991]

Yeah they do and I’m just thinking I’m lucky I have no commitments at the moment so it’s something I could do.

 

[Jon]

I think if you are happy to accept the risks involved then go for it. Some involve staying overnight for multiple night so just factor that sort of stuff in

 

[rich110991]

I've applied for a couple. One of them got back to me today and said I'd have to go to London for the first appointment, but they were only paying £20. It would cost me more than that in petrol. And then it would be numerous separate visits after that. I'd rather do one where they just say come and stay for 2 weeks lol.

 

[homie]

but do thousands of people each month not do these sort of trials?

I was thinking of this one, but there have been others. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-six-fit-young-men-9860903

 

[Slumdog Mountaineer]

I did a few of these in my student days, at Simbec in Merthyr Tydfil. It was pretty good money for taking a couple of tablets and lying in bed for a few days! Most of the other participants were either students or home workers, who would continue to work on their laptops in bed.

I never incurred any expenses getting there (I lived in Cardiff at the time), they paid my petrol for the screening visits, and for the study itself sent a taxi to pick me up. The vast majority of the studies were strictly non-smokers only though - I actually quit smoking to be able to do them.

 

[rich110991]

I did a few of these in my student days, at Simbec in Merthyr Tydfil. It was pretty good money for taking a couple of tablets and lying in bed for a few days! Most of the other participants were either students or home workers, who would continue to work on their laptops in bed.

I never incurred any expenses getting there (I lived in Cardiff at the time), they paid my petrol for the screening visits, and for the study itself sent a taxi to pick me up. The vast majority of the studies were strictly non-smokers only though - I actually quit smoking to be able to do them.

I haven’t heard back for the one I applied for yet. I need to try and find some more.