Clinical Trials

[deborah202]

I am looking to find treatment I have no insurance and I see a lot of Clinical Trials that you can sign up for an be notified by a recruiter, but my thought is how do I know if they reputable. Who can I contact to find out?

[racky2012]

Hi i lost my job and insurance when i told my boss i was ill and my need some time off but it was a good thing because my co pay was 500.00 a month so since i had no insurance i got my meds for free from the drug company as carlhcv said  im a self pay at  the lab witch gives me  discounted lab work  and also have a discounted doctor fee since i have no insurance

The state also has a charity care program that will help pay fpr you doc and lab bills i dont know what it would be called in you area but im sure if you call the county welfare board they can help you find something to help offset the doc and labs the meds are the easy part

good luck and as everyone stated here it would help if we knew what type you are and also some of you labs

[Carlhcv]

You can get tx for almost free. I am. All meds are mailed to my home. I found a compassionate Dr. who charges me $40 per visit. I can get my bloodwork done direct at the lab of my choice. I found a local lab that gives me a 40% discount because I do not have insurance. I don't qualify for federal aid either. For trials you need to live near a hospital where they are performed. Them you contact the hepatology dept. of that hospital. In the Detroit area we have two. Henry Ford and U of M Hospitals.

[purplecat]

I checked clinicaltrials.gov and also called Gilead to get info on the study I'm currently in.  

"To learn more about the clinical trials that are underway and to find out if a study is enrolling patients in your area, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov or call 1-(800) GILEAD-5 (800-445-3235) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time."  Currently on Gilead's website.  
Bristol Myers, Vertex and other drug companies doing studies.  You must study and do your home work.  wishing you good luck in your search.

[Idyllic]

I posted in your other thread fairly late last night but there are a few things about clinical trials. Getting in a trial is not exactly as easy as it sounds. You kind of have to "qualify" for a clinical trial.  It helps to know your Genotype. You don't necessarily have to have a liver biopsy. You have not treated before which means you are what would be considered "treatment naive" and sometimes that is a plus.

Here is a link that explains a little about how they work and how to proceed:
http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/treat/clinical-trials-single-page.asp

[deborah202]

Thank you for your information, I read on one website to look for the clinical trials websites that end with .gov or .org and to watch out for ones that may have a pharmaceutical company fund the trial which would be a conflict of interest.

[Advocate1955]

Try www.clinicaltrials.gov, but first you need to find out more: do you have just antibodies or do you have virus (PCR test), what genotype do you have, have you been vaccinated for Hep a and hep b, have you been tested for HIV, do you have liver damage? It will take some time to learn all of this.

[belle19]

i found 2 clinical trials in my area (san diego, ca.) thru our local entertainment magazine.  i contacted both and they wanted me.  i checked out the doctor's who would be treating me.  i googled their names and researched about them.  i found both were awesome in their fields.  we have a lot of medical research companies in my area.  i feel very fortunate because i got the best of care.  i had the most fantastic study nurse.  she really was the best about explaining every little detail and made me feel very comfortable.  you need to research in your area.  i obtained SVR after 48 weeks of tx all for free.  and on top of it all they're paying me for being in the trial.  good luck to you.  belle

[can-do-man]

To get into a trial you need to first  get with a good doctor that is involved in trials, one cannot just join one. Trial sites have a very limited about of slots and treating doctors fill them with their patients...

Best