Slowmo
04-06-2009, 11:57 PM
I started Pagoclone over a week ago and thought I'd post about it if anyone is interested.
First, I recommend everyone sign up on the Indevus website if you haven't. That's how I was selected. There are a bunch of different sites doing studies and I'd definitely take a look if there is one in your city (most haven't even started their trials yet).
I'm taking 2 pills twice a day for the first 2 weeks, then 1 pill twice a day after that. There's a 15% chance I'm on the placebo with the other doses being 60mg, 30mg, and 0.75mg.... The trial lasts for 8 months, then we get the pills until it is approved or rejected by the FDA (maybe 2 years away). It would suck taking a placebo for 8 months though. They're paying me about $250 over the course of the 8 months.
They're judging effectiveness by a quality of life survey and video tapes of stuttering (we have to do back every 2 months to get new tapes made). I found this a little disconcerting because although I'm a moderate stutterer, sometimes I'm extremely fluent. I was a little scared I wouldn't stutter, especially after I heard someone was rejected in the previous trials when they barely stuttered. This made me question the drug a little bit... would people fake a stutter in order to get the pills then on the last video taping session they'd speak normally (making the pill look more effective than it really is?).... Who knows? Luckily I stuttered enough to make the cut.... which is a weird thing to say...
As far as the drug goes, although it's a little early to say how effective, I have experienced a noticeable improvement in fluency. To my understanding the drug mimics the improvement in fluency you experience when drunk... so if you notice a big improvement when drunk you'll probably enjoy the drug. I have noticed no real side effects at this time. I still stutter though and I still experience just as many secondaries (urges to avoid, etc...). It's much better than any other drug I've tried (5-htp and Celexa), and I would definitely pay for the drug, but I still have an obvious stutter.
I'll keep you guys updated as time goes on.
First, I recommend everyone sign up on the Indevus website if you haven't. That's how I was selected. There are a bunch of different sites doing studies and I'd definitely take a look if there is one in your city (most haven't even started their trials yet).
I'm taking 2 pills twice a day for the first 2 weeks, then 1 pill twice a day after that. There's a 15% chance I'm on the placebo with the other doses being 60mg, 30mg, and 0.75mg.... The trial lasts for 8 months, then we get the pills until it is approved or rejected by the FDA (maybe 2 years away). It would suck taking a placebo for 8 months though. They're paying me about $250 over the course of the 8 months.
They're judging effectiveness by a quality of life survey and video tapes of stuttering (we have to do back every 2 months to get new tapes made). I found this a little disconcerting because although I'm a moderate stutterer, sometimes I'm extremely fluent. I was a little scared I wouldn't stutter, especially after I heard someone was rejected in the previous trials when they barely stuttered. This made me question the drug a little bit... would people fake a stutter in order to get the pills then on the last video taping session they'd speak normally (making the pill look more effective than it really is?).... Who knows? Luckily I stuttered enough to make the cut.... which is a weird thing to say...
As far as the drug goes, although it's a little early to say how effective, I have experienced a noticeable improvement in fluency. To my understanding the drug mimics the improvement in fluency you experience when drunk... so if you notice a big improvement when drunk you'll probably enjoy the drug. I have noticed no real side effects at this time. I still stutter though and I still experience just as many secondaries (urges to avoid, etc...). It's much better than any other drug I've tried (5-htp and Celexa), and I would definitely pay for the drug, but I still have an obvious stutter.
I'll keep you guys updated as time goes on.