Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 06:54:06 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772944
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 375
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 349
Total: 349

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples  (Read 11990 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« on: August 08, 2006, 06:00:48 pm »
I am beginning a clinical trial for HAART-naive folk which has an option "sexual fluids" sample collection at some of the visits. I've provisionally consented to supplying the samples, but I'm a little puzzled by the logistics. They said that I could "bring in" the sample as long as I can deliver it with in three hours of "sample generation" (that's my euphemistic turn-of-phrase), but I guess I'd worry that even that interval (on hot NYC subways, for example) would degrade the sample. But, this is a hospital, not a sperm donation clinic, so I doubt they have "materials" to aid in the "sample generation" on site -- or for that matter, any room which might be conducive to such activity. (I'm unfortunately not so turned on by the "medical" fetishes...)

I'm not too worried about this, but I'm a little puzzled by it, and I'm wondering how others have faced this situation. I'm curious if anyone has faced this or similar dilemmas in clinical trials. Funny anecdotes, anyone?

David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline J220

  • Member
  • Posts: 587
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2006, 07:25:09 pm »
I suppose you can 'generate your sample' (funny!) at home, and take a cab that day rather than riding than subway. I think this would justify the cost. Gotta keep those swimmers cool! Or, heck, use a small cooler with some ice, then take the train. Keep us posted how 'it' works out...lol. J.
"Hope is my philosophy
Just needs days in which to be
Love of Life means hope for me
Born on a New Day" - John David

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2006, 11:41:42 pm »
The study I'm in calls it a "genital secretions sample."  I do it right there in a room in a clinic.  They put a sign on the door that says "testing in progress, do not disturb"  It ain't easy, 'cause you can't use any lube or spit or anything.  Suffice to say, it is a less than stimulating environment, but I manage. The only problem is, the sample is never as robust as what I can usually manage.

I have NO IDEA what they do with it after I supply the sample.  Count the bugs in it, I suppose.

So go to the clinic with some porn in your backpack, and give it a wank for science.

What is the number of the study you are doing?

-Whiz

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2006, 09:59:16 am »
I picture myself telling the cabbie to "step on it"! And then running through the halls of the hospital with my special delivery. And then a door opens, I slam into it, "spilling my seed" all over the place. There's a Seinfeld plot in there somewhere...

And, yes, I believe the text of the study calls them "genital secretions" -- but that makes them sound dirty;)

Anyway, I can honestly say I hadn't considered the possibility of toting along some of my own porn. I guess I'm usually concerned about someone noticing that sticking out of my backpack. But that sounds like a good plan. However, I hadn't realized that they don't even allow saliva as a lubricant. Would it be wise to moisturize with lotion for a few days beforehand to make it more bearable?

And what do you think is more important for an HIV study? Volume per se or sperm density?

I don't have the study number on hand -- and I'm still in the pre-screening phase -- but it's an investigation of Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) in HAART-naive patients.  :-\ Twice-a-day injections? Woo hoo!
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline pozniceguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,232
  • Niceguy Dallas
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2006, 05:55:51 pm »
Don't be such a wuss.....get a "sample cup"   go in one of the single bathrooms they seem to have all over hospitals......think of the hottest guys/guys you have ever been with and watch that beauty grow......if lube is needed   ..try some plain water ( ask if this will contaminate the sample first..it shouldn't )   and wank onnnnn....
remember the good times...honor the past but don't live there
Le stelle la notte sono grandie luminose, nel cuore profondo del Texas

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2006, 06:57:04 pm »
Carbon,

I am currently enrolled in that study.  Are you going to do the spinal taps as well?

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2006, 07:05:01 pm »
Don't be such a wuss.....get a "sample cup"   go in one of the single bathrooms they seem to have all over hospitals......think of the hottest guys/guys you have ever been with and watch that beauty grow......if lube is needed   ..try some plain water ( ask if this will contaminate the sample first..it shouldn't )   and wank onnnnn....

That could work as long as they have pina-colada-flavored water at the hospital, to substitute for pina-colada-flavored lube!  :o

Just kidding. I hate flavored lube. Makes me ill.

Seriously, though, it's all fine and good to say "think of the hottest guys I've even been with," but I'm worried that under the pressure of the situation such fantasies won't be springing to mind. The few times where I've wanted to "yank one out" in a allocated short timeframe it's not always worked -- something about the overly goal-oriented nature of it gets distracting, no?

Quote from: whizzer
I am currently enrolled in that study.  Are you going to do the spinal taps as well?

Perhaps it's a different study. I'm quite certain there are no spinal taps involved in the one I'm screening for. (I'd remember that!) What's the time frame and size of your study? "Mine" is 2 years and 40 people nationwide. (Sorry I don't have the # for ya.)
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline otherplaces

  • Member
  • Posts: 398
  • Mutant Super Hero
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2006, 12:55:06 am »

Just curious.  Are you taking Fuzeon as monothreapy? If so...that's interesting. What are their goals?

They should add me.  I think I could wank for science anytime/anywhere :)

brian

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2006, 01:16:44 pm »
No, it's not monotherapy. It's paired with two other non-nukes of choice (I think non-nukes -- don't quote me on that part.)

The goal of the study is to see if they can affect the latent viral load within T-cells. I don't know how they do that techinically -- it sounds like a pain in the ass. All I know is that that part requires 18 vials of blood.  :-\
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2006, 01:38:17 pm »
If it is the same study I am on, and I"m pretty sure that it is.  It is Fuzeon, Truvada, and Invirase boosted with Norvir.  Thus, two NRTIs, a boosted PI, and a fusion inhibitor.  The NRTIs and PI can be substitued with other drugs (not paid for by the study, tho); the Fuzeon must be used.

Fuzeon cannot be used for monotherapy. 

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2006, 01:41:05 pm »
Oh, and Carbon,

They measure the latent reservoir of resting CD4s by drawing out 30, yes THIRTY !!!  tubes of blood every six months, starting at week 24 of the study.  There is a lab at Johns Hopkins that can do this test - that's where they send the blood.  They can only do one test per week, and you can only get the big blood draw done on Mondays.

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2006, 01:45:24 pm »
Well, it may not be the same study (but clearly similar) because I know that the choice of non-Fuzeon meds is wide open in this study -- they're doing a resistance profile and they'll pick the best other options.

30 tubes, huh? Not so cool.
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2006, 01:45:49 pm »
It is thirty tubes because they draw the 18 (plus two extra) for the latent reservoir test, then another 10 or twelve for the standard monitoring blood tests.  They also do a lumbar puncture (if you voluteer to let them), and take the genital secretions sample (if you volunteer for that).

It makes for a very long, very bad day.

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2006, 01:49:38 pm »
Ask very carefully.  Yes, they do resistance testing.  Yes, they can substiture everything but the Fuzeon.  But be sure and ask if THEY pay for the substituted drugs.  Be very clear on that.

I PM'd you with the study number and the long title.  It is the same study.

The Saliciano Lab at Hopkins that does the latent reservoir test can't handle TWO studies of 40 people each

Offline carbonNYC

  • Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2006, 01:50:15 pm »
Well, the "genital secretions" part of that day would be the highlight then, I would think! :) I might ask to do that part several times!
David
carbonNYC -a-t- gmail.com
Check out the Flickr photos I've taken!

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2006, 01:54:34 pm »
Ha, you will barely manage supplying the one sample !!  You'll be too pooped.

Seriously, PM me about this.  It is a noble study to take part in, but Fuzeon is a difficult drug to use.  You really need to know what you're getting into.

I sorta wish I had chosen a different study, and there ARE several others for the treatment naive

Offline whizzer

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: Providing "Sexual Fluid" Samples
« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2006, 02:15:52 pm »
Hey Carbon, are you gettin my PM's?

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.