What I Learned From Joining a Clinical Trial for Crohn’s

By Tina Aswani Omprakash, Medically reviewed by Jenny Blair, MD

Originally published on the Oshi Health website on April 6th, 2020: http://www.oshihealth.com/joining-clinical-trial/

My journey with Crohn’s disease has been an arduous one, laden with difficult decisions, including whether to take strong medications and when to have life-altering surgeries. At one point, Crohn’s derailed my career, my prospects of finishing graduate school and my ability to pursue meaningful relationships. But I was scared to try any new medication, let alone partake in a clinical trial. I was young and didn’t want to be burdened by a strict drug regimen or potential side effects.

After I had more than 20 corrective surgeries in a seven-year period, my doctor at the Mayo Clinic asked me to consider a medication still in clinical trials. It wasn’t an easy decision, but at the same time, it seemed like a no-brainer. I had a new rectovaginal fistula—even though my rectum had been excised—and I was out of medical options. My Crohn’s was continuing its spread, despite the problematic organs having been removed. It was a phenomenon my gastroenterologist told me he had only seen a couple times before. I was hopeful for a chance at life again, though, and if that meant joining a clinical trial, I was on board.

To read more, please visit the Oshi Health website: http://www.oshihealth.com/joining-clinical-trial/