Drug trials!

[Damaged]

I want to thank all the braves souls who volunteer for drug trials. Without your sacrifice there would be no treatment. I have not had much luck but having felt largely like a lab experiment this past year, I can truly appreciate your courage.

[Riedenise]

I agree with you, without them we wouldn't have the treatments we have now and will continue to have going forward.

I am currently on a research study (not a drugs trial) at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital Oxford for patients that fail on AntiTnF biologics. It's seeing if by taking a synovial fluid biopsy from a swollen joint either wrist or knee if they can tailor a pacific treatment to maximise their potential to respond to therapy. Rituximab or Tocilimab are the next choices of treatment after failing AntiTnFs. So the results from the biopsy are put into a computer then you are chosen wether you'd start on one of them. If after the 3-6 month mark I'm not responding to the chosen treatment I am then automatically switched on to the other. The study has taken over my treatment completely and are self funded. My commitment to it to be available to attend the unit weekly, fortnightly then after 6/8 weeks it goes 4weekly. I have bloods taken every visit, I have ultrasound usually fortnightly, I've had xrays taken a couple times. I am also being referred to Orthopaedic Surgeon for my knees( I've been having pain etc with them for years) to the eye clinic.

If this research study can help future patients then I'm happy to take part.