Drug Advertisements

Have you noticed the ad that’s been playing recently for the treatment of Fibromyalgia?
It’s a very interesting ad, especially for someone like me.

I’ve told my physician to his face that I think he’s only 2 or 3 steps removed from waving rattles and dancing around me in a loincloth to heal me. He’s a good guy and he’s not terribly offended by the comment. On the other hand it’s set the tone of our relationship. Since I’m not willing to accept anything he says as gospel, we’ve become partners in my health care.

His knowledge of medicine and my observation of my own body give us the best shot at keeping me around for a while.  I appreciate his compassion for me and patience with me because I know I’m a royal pain in the ass.

So along comes this ad. If you listen carefully to the wording its kind of funny and I’m sure It makes the Doc just cringe.

The Lines that really caught my attention were

After a description of the muscular neural-feedback in the body they say something like,

“It’s thought that this activity is responsible for the symptoms of fibromyalgia.”

Ok, I suppose I can get behind that statement. The next line that caught my attention was something like;

“(Our Drug), is thought to address this neural activity and may provide relief.”

With as much money as has been spent on R&D of these drugs wouldn’t you expect a little more definite statement?

Again I’m left with OGG the Witch-Doctor shaking rattles, dancing around the patient and then feeding the patient a cup of goat pee. (Would probably work too! While the patient is barfing up the goat pee they’re not thinking about their other problems.)

I think part of what caused this to get through my noise filters was the fact that  I KNOW most people heard something more like,

“We’re smart Doctors and scientists and we KNOW your nerves are whats causing you pain and suffering and our drug is the cure. Tell your doctor you want our drug and you’ll feel ever so much better.”

What I heard was;

“We’re guessing here that your nerves are the problem and we kinda think that this drug will maybe make you feel better. Quite frankly we’re pissing in the wind here but hey someone has to pay for the R&D it might as well be you.”

But then I’m a real Cynic.

As always think for yourself, Make you own decisions and don’t eat the pudding.