What are the odds?

[lapis]

A couple of months ago I got a letter on nice stationery from a soCal university about a health study. It's three phases, and one of them involves me sending in a vial of my saliva. I would be compensated $25 per phase.

Somehow a thousand of us were selected "randomly" to participate. I don't know how they got my full name, address and phone number, as I don't have it listed in the phone book and don't fill out raffle forms or get magazine subscriptions. How else do universities select people randomly?

When I didn't answer their letter using the SASE enclosed they left one voicemail message about the study and then called again a week later. The man was really surprised I didn't want to participate. Like I was impeding the flow of science with a capital s.

[Twisted Titan]

Once it can be dimissed as happenstance

Twice absolutely not

Three times you are being targeted for something.


Keep declining until more of the puzzle is reavealed

[Glass]

yes, your going to send in your DNA for an unsubstantiated scientific investigation. Reminds me of the one where recently they sent someone out to do a survey on chewing gum. The guy tried the chewing gum. They apparently got him to spit it out and then tested it for his DNA. Matched him up and bingo. Of course, you can trust them that they didn't plant any of his DNA which was then magically matched. Who knows maybe he did do it.

I wonder how long DNA material is good for? Would it still be good 20 years down the road?

Why don't you participate and send them some dog water/drool instead? See if they can tell the difference.

[vacuum]

It makes sense that they are persistent. When they randomly select people's names, then you've got a truly random pool of people. However, when people are asked to participate, only some people will accept. Then it's less random because, what if the people who refuse are for likely to be less healthy than those who accept? What if people who refuse likely have a higher income level than those who accept? What if their lifestyle, is, on average, different? It's all statistics.

Like, how do you properly study depressed people? It's likely that the most depressed ones would opt out or not follow through in any long term study. Then the study about depressed people will be skewed.

[Twisted Titan]

Like, how do you properly study depressed people? It's likely that the most depressed ones would opt out or not follow through in any long term study. Then the study about depressed people will be skewed.



Like a skewed study has gotten in the way Of corporate profits........i submit that studies are skewed at the behest of corporations

[palani]

Why don't you participate and send them some dog water/drool instead? See if they can tell the difference.

A risky business. What if the dog was involved in a maul and run incident?

[slowbell]

A couple of months ago I got a letter on nice stationery from a soCal university about a health study. It's three phases, and one of them involves me sending in a vial of my saliva. I would be compensated $25 per phase.

Somehow a thousand of us were selected "randomly" to participate. I don't know how they got my full name, address and phone number, as I don't have it listed in the phone book and don't fill out raffle forms or get magazine subscriptions. How else do universities select people randomly?

When I didn't answer their letter using the SASE enclosed they left one voicemail message about the study and then called again a week later. The man was really surprised I didn't want to participate. Like I was impeding the flow of science with a capital s.

Just yesterday I got one of these letters.

About 15 years ago, a doctor diagnosed me with a medical condition that would physically impair me for life. I won't go into the details. 15 years later, I'm still active and healthy, I don't even report that condition to any medical staff. It is never mentioned. As far as I know, it's not even on any medical records.

Yesterday, I got a letter from a local university to participate in a "study" with folks who have this condition. Reading this letter, my face must have gone pale with shock. I too, asked this very question, what are the odds?

[Neuro]

Just yesterday I got one of these letters.

About 15 years ago, a doctor diagnosed me with a medical condition that would physically impair me for life. I won't go into the details. 15 years later, I'm still active and healthy, I don't even report that condition to any medical staff. It is never mentioned. As far as I know, it's not even on any medical records.

Yesterday, I got a letter from a local university to participate in a "study" with folks who have this condition. Reading this letter, my face must have gone pale with shock. I too, asked this very question, what are the odds?
I just got this hunch you were misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis...

[slowbell]

I just got this hunch you were misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis...

Arthritis of the spine. I was 23 at the time, and active. Doctor told me I'd have back problems my whole life, and that I needed to refrain from any strenuous physical activity. Not something a young active man at 23 wants to hear.

I followed the doctors advise. Since that day, I got my deadlift up over 300 lbs. I've climbed some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, surfed some waves, and sailed upon the oceans. I dragged hoselines into burning buildings, fought fire, chased and wrestled some bad guys, pursued and found a physically demanding career I love. Yes, I'm glad I followed that doc's advise and sat on my ass the last 15 years.

I'm sure I was misdiagnosed. Haven't had any back problems and have passed many rigorous physical tests. Nothing shows on any medical tests or reports.

You could see why I was very shocked to be offered the opportunity to participate in an arthritis study, via letter yesterday. What are the odds? I must be crazy for passing up the $50 per visit.

[lapis]

You could see why I was very shocked to be offered the opportunity to participate in an arthritis study, via letter yesterday. What are the odds? I must be crazy for passing up the $50 per visit.

Yes I guess we are crazy. ;-)

But have you moved? Are they keeping tabs on you (me)?

Maybe I'm paranoid but I find this creepy.

[lapis]

Wait a second! After pondering slowbell's posts, I just realized that I had seen an HMO doctor for the first time in years about a month or so before the letter was sent (we got new insurance that happened to cover a holistic one who is anti-vaccine).

So are medical researchers allowed to access your information when you visit an HMO doctor?!

[slowbell]

Yes I guess we are crazy. ;-)

But have you moved? Are they keeping tabs on you (me)?

Maybe I'm paranoid but I find this creepy.

I'm extremely creeped out by this. How could they possibly think I have arthritis?

Here's what I think, if anything showed up on my medical records, I never would have been accepted into a fire dept. They trained us to search buildings on fire to drag folks out. They can't, absolutely would not, send a guy into a situation like that if he had a bad back. That would be a major public safety risk. Imagine crawling around on your hands and knees, can't see anything but black smoke, feeling around hoping you don't feel the softness of a body lying there. Dragging folks out of buildings, with all that gear on you, breathing through a bottle, is extremely physically demanding.

What I think, is that these university studies just send out 1000's of letters justing hoping to get a hit. Maybe 50 folks out of a 1000 may have arthritis, or whatever, and just hope to get lucky.

That has to be it, I can see no other explanation. Hope that lowers the creepiness factor a little...be well.

[DMac]

Wait a second! After pondering slowbell's posts, I just realized that I had seen an HMO doctor for the first time in years about a month or so before the letter was sent (we got new insurance that happened to cover a holistic one who is anti-vaccine).

So are medical researchers allowed to access your information when you visit an HMO doctor?!

It depends. Some doctor offices I've been to have you sign various forms about what can be done with your medical records. I sign nothing but the bill and when asked they always say "this is required!", I stand my ground, then I hear "it isn't actually required".

This happened to me twice in the past month. 2 doc visits for the first time in years for me both happened recently.

[Old Herb Lady]

The goal is to do the study on you and in the end get you to test out/do a trial for a prescription drug.
Big Pharma funds the studies that's why the participants usually get paid quite well, actually.
Its all about drugs. Get more people on drugs.

[lapis]

The goal is to do the study on you and in the end get you to test out/do a trial for a prescription drug.
Big Pharma funds the studies that's why the participants usually get paid quite well, actually.
Its all about drugs. Get more people on drugs.

I think that's true in general, but mine was for studying aging. So far Big Pharma's replacements for non-bio-identical hormones has been a bust.

However it may be that they're trying to find a way to hone in on the burgeoning anti-aging specialty with all the retiring baby boomers.

There's some well-known anti-aging docs in soCal like Dr. Kent Holtorf. They charge hundreds of dollars per visit (no they don't take insurance). A friend of mine saw Dr. Holtorf's nurse and said there were a lot of extremely well-preserved old people in the waiting room who gave off an air of lotsa moolah.

But there's more to staying youthful than taking a handful of supplements and some bio-identical hormones. You still need to eat right, rest and exercise. Good luck finding a pill substitute for all that.

[EE_]

I think that's true in general, but mine was for studying aging. So far Big Pharma's replacements for non-bio-identical hormones has been a bust.

However it may be that they're trying to find a way to hone in on the burgeoning anti-aging specialty with all the retiring baby boomers.

There's some well-known anti-aging docs in soCal like Dr. Kent Holtorf. They charge hundreds of dollars per visit (no they don't take insurance). A friend of mine saw Dr. Holtorf's nurse and said there were a lot of extremely well-preserved old people in the waiting room who gave off an air of lotsa moolah.

But there's more to staying youthful than taking a handful of supplements and some bio-identical hormones. You still need to eat right, rest and exercise. Good luck finding a pill substitute for all that.

Have you done any research on HGH?
I know a few guys that have been taking it for years. I don't know how much effect it has on their appearance, but their doctors tell them they are physically younger and testosterone levels are that of someone 20 years younger.

Staying youthful is a good thing, living longer can be a curse.

[gunDriller]

that's the thing about DNA matches.

people treat them like the technology is infallible.


so, Murphy's Law never strikes biotech ? LEO using biotech is suddenly corruption free ?

i don't think so.


people get the idea from TV shows like Dexter, The Closer, and NCIS that "DNA never lies".

even if that were true, people do - especially government & business organizations whose survival is threatened. they will lie early and lie often.

[sunshine05]

that's the thing about DNA matches.

people treat them like the technology is infallible.


so, Murphy's Law never strikes biotech ? LEO using biotech is suddenly corruption free ?

i don't think so.


people get the idea from TV shows like Dexter, The Closer, and NCIS that "DNA never lies".

even if that were true, people do - especially government & business organizations whose survival is threatened. they will lie early and lie often.


So true. I read about a case not long ago. A man was convicted based on DNA evidence and it turned out that the "match" wasn't a match at all. A small number of alleles matched which would have been the case for any number of people in the world. So if there's a way for them to lie, they will do it.

[lapis]

Have you done any research on HGH?
I know a few guys that have been taking it for years. I don't know how much effect it has on their appearance, but their doctors tell them they are physically younger and testosterone levels are that of someone 20 years younger.

Yes, I've read about it and it looks promising.

Vanity Fair ran an article about it recently:

Hollywood’s Vial Bodies (http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/03/human-grown-hormone-hollywood-201203)


It sounds pricey though. I've been taking small amounts of pregnenolone and dhea after I tested low on the latter. It gives me energy but if I take too much I feel aggro.


Staying youthful is a good thing, living longer can be a curse.

It may be when DOOOM descends. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-scared003.gif

[Neuro]

Arthritis of the spine. I was 23 at the time, and active. Doctor told me I'd have back problems my whole life, and that I needed to refrain from any strenuous physical activity. Not something a young active man at 23 wants to hear.

I followed the doctors advise. Since that day, I got my deadlift up over 300 lbs. I've climbed some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, surfed some waves, and sailed upon the oceans. I dragged hoselines into burning buildings, fought fire, chased and wrestled some bad guys, pursued and found a physically demanding career I love. Yes, I'm glad I followed that doc's advise and sat on my ass the last 15 years.

I'm sure I was misdiagnosed. Haven't had any back problems and have passed many rigorous physical tests. Nothing shows on any medical tests or reports.

You could see why I was very shocked to be offered the opportunity to participate in an arthritis study, via letter yesterday. What are the odds? I must be crazy for passing up the $50 per visit.
I am happy that my hunch was wrong actually, that would have been really freaky. Nevertheless, what problems at the time did you have that lead him to diagnose arthritis of the spine? There is zero doubt that you were misdiagnosed, probably you had a common bio-mechanical problem, where less activity would have made you worse if you had listened to your drs advice, and thus it would have confirmed his diagnosis. Unfortunately there is some of that going on in my profession as well, where chiropractors use fear to get people to sign up for too many treatments, over too long time. Especially in America. I once went to a practice management seminar, where exactly this type of strategy was suggested, to get a thriving practice. I didn't buy it.

But I did buy a different type of practice philosophy, for a few years, where I tried to sell wellness care, to keep the spine in an optimal position, and thus achieve optimal health, but I really didn't believe it myself, and that dissonance my patients detected. Basically in most cases, you are able to achieve about 95% correction of spinal dysfunction in most patients in between 4-12 sessions, and most people would be free of symptoms, and be very happy with the care you rendered. But when you are practicing wellness care, you'll do another 8-12 sessions where you get them up to 99% correction, and after that you recommend a once a week or every two weeks they should come in for an adjustment, to keep them at that level. Certainly I see a point in that approach, but most people wouldn't buy it, unless motivated by fear, which I rejected, or if you have a particularly convincing personae, which I don't have, or a practice system, which would motivate people to go towards that point, and this requires a lot of hard work. Eventually it dawned on me that I wouldn't sign up and follow the recommendations I were giving, so I was a hypocrite, and I wasn't motivated in putting in the work required to convince people to see what I was doing from a wellness perspective, cause I didn't believe it myself.

I just think there is more to life than pursuing optimal health. Those that believe in that will get it from me, but I don't push it on anyone, but there is the odd patient (around 5% of all my patients) that wants it and get it. The rest I treat for 4-12 times depending on their problem, they walk away happy recommend friends and family, they may come back a year or so later, because they went out of alignment, and I correct them back to 95% in a few sessions, and they walk away happy again. I have a thriving practice nowadays, and I spend far less energy on it.

[JDRock]

personally id rather hand over my credit card # than my d.n.a.

[Old Herb Lady]

personally id rather hand over my credit card # than my d.n.a.

Im conducting a study to evaluate if credit card numbers have an increase in joy in a persons demeanor
and an overall effect on a persons health and happiness. Please PM me your 16 digit card number with expiration date and also include the 3 digit security code located on the back of the card.

After sufficient use , you can get the results of the study in approximate 30 days personally delivered right to you via USPS.

The highest maximum number researched usually results in the most joy.

Thank You for participating in our health and happiness research study, Mr Rock.

[JDRock]

there i pm'ed it to you....but in case you didnt get it its br549 heee- haaaww

[Old Herb Lady]

there i pm'ed it to you....but in case you didnt get it its br549 heee- haaaww


Bwahhaaaaaaaa LMAO !

Card Number has been DENIED !

Thank you for your non-participation, Mr. Rock. Our guinea pigs--er- test subjects will now be placed on heavy doses
of psychotropic drugs to relieve their despondency !






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me Deep, dark depression, excessive misery If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all Gloom, despair, and agony on me"

[steel_ag]

Bwahhaaaaaaaa LMAO !

Card Number has been DENIED !

Thank you for your non-participation, Mr. Rock. Our guinea pigs--er- test subjects will now be placed on heavy doses
of psychotropic drugs to relieve their despondency !



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me Deep, dark depression, excessive misery If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all Gloom, despair, and agony on me"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=639Ea9uWGSc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=639Ea9uWGSc

[Old Herb Lady]

How to make a guinea pig sock puppet:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDaR7XmA5w


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDaR7XmA5w

[lapis]

So the university sent another letter in the mail about the study a couple of weeks ago. This time they're changing tactics: The letter said someone in the household would be asked to give a saliva sample. Would that someone be me again? Um no thanks a-holes.

In other weird news my mail has been tampered with multiple times and/or delayed ever since I ordered some medication from overseas and homeland security or whatever .gov idiots seized it. The economy's going to shit but there's always plenty of money to surveil the useless eaters.

[Serpo]

Theres always the old fashion way if you can find the people sending you this stuff.......................

SPITTING

[Glass]

So the university sent another letter in the mail about the study a couple of weeks ago. This time they're changing tactics: The letter said someone in the household would be asked to give a saliva sample. Would that someone be me again? Um no thanks a-holes.

In other weird news my mail has been tampered with multiple times and/or delayed ever since I ordered some medication from overseas and homeland security or whatever .gov idiots seized it. The economy's going to shit but there's always plenty of money to surveil the useless eaters.

It sounds like some kind of LEO collection of DNA to me.