[Juli]

My sister referred a friend of hers over to me because he is in significant pain every day and it is starting to impact his ability to work. He has a physically demanding job. He has no insurance and is living paycheck to paycheck. The only thing I can think of to suggest to him is to try to get involved in the clinical trials. Does anyone know, is that totally free? Also, I was wondering whether they really solicit people to sign up for those or do some of the doctors maybe have patients that they can "streamline" the process for? He lives in Texas, so I was going to refer him to the Texas Back Institute to at least see a doctor there. The area they live in is not good and apparently his current doctors have been reluctant to prescribe much in the way of pain meds because there is a high rate of abuse in that area. And because he has to pay for everything out of pocket he can't just keep going around to different doctors. I think this guy has a very tough road to hoe here! Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thanks!