IC Disease

I try to occasionally post about other illnesses besides those related to the bladder, so when I found the information for this clinical trial, I felt it was worth posting - especially since ME/CFS and IC Disease are linked. 

This clinical trial, Proteomics of Cerebrospinal Fluid in ME/CFS, is sponsored by Georgetown University and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The purpose of the study is to:

• look for specific proteins that are believed to be found in the spinal fluid of ME/CFS patients
• look for increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure (pressure that helps the cerebrospinal fluid to move around the brain and the spinal cord), may be related with certain symptoms like headache, sleep problems, light headedness, increased pain, excessive tiredness (fatigue) even with minimal work and memory problems.

Criteria needed to be considered for enrollment:

• You must have one of the following:  ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Gulf War Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, IBS, Interstitial Cystitis

Exclusion Criteria (per the Clinical Trial.gove website):

• You do not want to have a lumbar puncture performed.
• You have a severe physical impairment that does not permit lumbar puncture or completion of the remainder of the tests (e.g. severe scoliosis or curvature of the back).
• You have a medical condition with symptoms similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome such as regional pain syndromes, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, morbid obesity, autoimmune / inflammatory diseases, cardiopulmonary disorders), neurological disorders (e.g. seizures, dementia, degenerative disorders), uncontrolled endocrine or allergic diseases or, cancer.
• You have a severe psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, substance abuse, major depression with previous suicidal attempts, gestures or ideas about committing suicide.
• You are mentally retarded or cannot understand this informed consent, cannot provide absolute willingness to have a lumbar puncture as part of this study, or are unable to complete the questionnaires and other studies that are part of this research project.
• You are in jail or prison.
• You are pregnant.
• You smoke more than 5 cigarettes per day. You will be allowed to taper your smoking before your participation in the actual study visit. This is an excellent opportunity to ask about our Smoking Cessation Programs.
• You drink or eat caffeine containing products with more than the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee. You will be allowed to taper your caffeine intake before the study visit.
• You have used narcotics or other illegal medications for more than 3 months. These will be discussed with Dr. Baraniuk.
• You have a positive HIV test, or blood, liver or kidney tests that are abnormal.
• You are participating only so you can be paid for taking part in this spinal tap study.

Contact Information:

If you would like to be considered for participation in the clinical trial, you can contact Murugan K Ravindran, MD at 202-687-8231. Email: cfsresearch@georgetown.edu, look4murugan@gmail.com, mkr33@georgetown.edu.

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