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Stop
drinking alcohol 72 hours before your screening and before your
check in. You may be able to get away with drinking 24 hours
before but is a night of drinking worth 3 grand? Don't risk it!
If you
routinely work out, your creatine (CK) levels are going to be higher than
acceptable at most clinics. Also, if you exercise heavily 72
hours before a blood screening, you will probably test high on
creatine. If you plan on doing studies regularly, you will
need to seriously consider shortening or stopping your work out
regiment all together.
If you
smoke and the clinic will be screening for cotinine, you will be
caught! It takes a minimum of 7 days to clear out once you
stop smoking but can take longer.
Become aware of when
clinics post their new studies. Some have certain days and
times while other post them as they approve them. While most
clinic recruiting lines are open during the week, some have weekend
hours. Monday mornings are usually heavy volume times.
When setting up your
appointment to screen, take the earliest time and day available.
Being one of the first to screen doesn't always help improve your
chances, but you should have a yes or no answer quicker. Many
clinics operate on a first qualified, first served basis.
Get into the habit of
drinking water! Water is your best friend while doing studies.
But beware that water can also be your enemy. 8 Cups of water,
or two liters, is the recommended daily intake. Spread your
intake throughout the day. The night before a screening, you
will most likely fast. You will be allowed to drink water.
About a half hour before your screening starts, stop drinking water!
Water can adversely affect your temperature and blood work.
Always come prepared to give a urine analysis, but don't drink
anything a half hour before the screening or during.
Do you first void of the
day before you arrive at your screening but make sure you drink just
enough water so that you can go again when you are at the screening
without needing to drink more water.
If you are
at screening and need to pee really bad, pee until the pressure is
relieved then stop and hold it. Your bladder will equalize in
a few moments and you won't have to pee as bad but you'll still have
some left when it's time to go.
If your
blood pressure is usually at the upper threshold, a daily intake of
garlic can help lower your blood pressure. However, this does not
work for everyone.
Additionally, to help get accurate readings, you should:
Keep
feet flat on the floor. Don't kick your feet, cross legs, swing or
doing anything else with your feet.
Wear
loose fitting clothes. Tight fitting clothes restrict blood
circulation and can elevate BP.
You
should sit as still as possible. Do not talk.
Don't
look at the machine or at the clock. Close your eyes if you have
to. If your not expecting the machine to go off, you won't tense
up.
Rest
your BP arm on your thigh. Every part of your body should be
relaxed.
Make sure that when you
read the informed consent form, you memorize the key information
like the name of the drug, side-effects and what the drug is being
developed for. Doctors like to quiz you to make sure that you
fully understand what you are getting yourself into.
Show up to your
screenings or appointments early! Traffic is not an excuse.
It is advised that you show up at least a half hour early. In
the event that you are not going to be able to make it to your
appointment, call the clinic! No call, no shows will count
against you at the clinic! Most clinics have a 3 strikes and
your banned policy. Some are even more strict.
While doing your ECG, do
not hold your breath. Just breath normally.
If you don't make it into the study, find out why! If it is a
health issue, for your own sake, go see a doctor. If you did
not make it in simply because too many people were qualified, then
don't feel bad. At least you know that you are healthy.
Try screening for another study.
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