In Which The Heartless Cows Redeem Themselves

After I had the bad Copaxone reaction, my doctor said he'd see if there were any other options. We'd tried the interferon therapy (I developed antibodies) and the Copaxone treatment (turned blue) and the Tysrabi therapy was for more serious MS cases.

So he called back a few days later and left a message saying I might be eligible to be in a clinical trial. It was a message, so he didn't hear me screaming "Yes! Yes!" Almost since birth I've wanted to be in a clinical trial. I wanted to be one of Jonas Salk's kids and test out the polio vaccine. Who wouldn't want to be in a clinical trial? You can make a contribution to science without having to take physics.

"But what if you get the placebo?" Hey, don't knock the placebo-eaters. They contribute just as much information as the people getting the real drug. So, as you can imagine, I was elated.

Gary was not elated. Gary wore himself out being the angel sitting on one shoulder imploring "Don't do it! You might get the drug and die from the side effects!" then fluttering to the other shoulder to be the devil shrieking, "Don't  do it! You might get the placebo and your MS will get worse!"

I pointed out to him that he was ignoring the one possible positive outcome. "I don't do positive! I am in charge of negative!" I told him we'd be tabling this conversation until he could accept some positive thoughts. I check back every few days. Still no progress.

However, the Heartless Cows I Work With have redeemed themselves. They have been supportive, even if they don't all totally agree with the idea.

Keep your fingers crossed! I still have to get through the screening. If anyone knows the "right" answers to get in a phase 3 double-blind clinical trial for FTY720 Fingolimod, let me know.

Comments

[C]

You are speaking my language, you know. If we are doing the same study at my location, I could look it up.

Also, my institution has several ongoing MS trials, if you don't get into this one...

[snowy]

i work in pharma so if i can be of any help drop me a line. =)

[TheQueen]

It's the FTY720 fingolimod trial. My heart, blood pressure and lungs are all good, as is my liver.

FTY720 - cool name
Fingolimod - goofy name

[sue]

Everything is totally crossed for ya, sweetie...

[Sherri]

Think of it as 'Fingo al'mode" and it will be all better :D

If other possible treatments are not an option, and you are for it, then I say GO GO GO QUEENIE! Hey, you could do great on the treatment (which would be a kicker if you got the placebo -- yay for mind power!)

I think you should get a t-shirt printed that says "I'm Deciding the Future" or "I'm a Critical Statistic" or something like that.

[Zayrina]

Hey! On the bright side, point out to the Garoid that most of the experimental monkeys must have lived or they wouldn't be trying it out on humans.

[Friend #3]

I think it should be called the "Fingo Lickin' Good" trial. Just a suggestion.

[TheQueen]

C and snowy - Okay! I haven't heard back, but I'm giving them till Monday.
Sue - Don't cross your eyes, they might get stuck that way.
Sherri - "I'm a Guinea Pig for You!"
Zayrina - Oh, I already mentioned the 250 people who didn't die in the Phase 2 trial. He mentioned all the drugs that killed people after they were on the market. Bah. Mr. Sunshine.
Friend #3 (Formerly Heartless Cow #3) - Hm. It causes nausea. Perhaps not.

[Autumn]

I agree with Sherri. Get a tshirt...tell the world you are helping us! :)

[Supportive and Sensitive Cow #3]

But it's catchy in its irony, no?

[TheQueen]

Autumn - I'm looking at this one:
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/guinea/-/pv_design_details/pg_1/id_6497737/opt_/fpt______________Da___HP_FD___ah__dS/c_668/
S&S Cow#3 - hhhhmmmmmmmoookay.