I went to a dinner a couple of weeks ago sponsored by the Ambien people.
They had an MD giving the talk, but it was strange as his specialty was
not really sleep disorders, I think he was a pain specialist or
something, but he sure did like Ambien. He talked about how good it was,
and how so MANY people need it. He said it takes effect so fast that
sometimes people take is as they are driving home, and they fall asleep
in the driveway, or sometimes have accidents. I think he said they have
a new version coming out soon; I guess Ambien must be going generic
soon. He said a competitor is bringing out something similar, but they
said it is not as good. My favorite part was when he was asked about
abuse, and he said ANYTHING can be abused. Then he related a tale of how
he had a pain patient with DM who used to give himself too much regular
or whatever to put himself into a stupor where he did not feel his pain
as much. I guess that means we don't have to worry about Ambien.

Well, the food was 5 star, the kind of restaurant where if you don't
speak Francais or Italian you can't read the menu, and when they bring
you the food, you can't really identify what it is, but it usually
tastes very good.

My friend showed me a trick: he reached into his jacket pocket, and
slyly pulled out a wine cork. He likes to grab one of the half full
bottles after the dinner and take it home.  If I drank, I might try that
stunt.

I met an interesting woman at the dinner. No it's not like THAT, don't
go getting ideas; I guess I should say there was an unusual woman
sitting at my table. She was the regional manager, or something, for the
drug company. Boy, you could tell she was a go-getter. (She would eat a
guy like me for breakfast.)

I have mixed feelings about going to such a dinner. Like I said, this
was a 5 star restaurant, and the price were high, I'm sure. I bet they
paid at least $50 a plate. I wonder if it's appropriate to accept such a
spendy gratuity. Where I work, once a week, drug reps come in. They used
to put out post-it and shiny objects as bait to attract us. A few months
ago a physician reportedly objected, I guess, to the ethics of such a
practice. It's funny that they can't put out pens any more, but I guess
the danish and donuts are still okay :-\   I don't know, I don't have
too much trouble accepting a pen that probably cost them 20 cents, but a
fifty+ buck dinner, I'm not so sure about.

It reminds me of the Attorney General in my state, once a year he likes
to audit an HMO and drag them over the coals; good publicity for him I
suppose. A month ago he released his report on another one. The Board of
Directors and CEO types are well paid and receive lavish perks. To make
matters worse, the company is a "non-profit." I guess it's all bullshit.
I guess "we" deserve all the perks we can get.

Well, I've got the day off. Time to do some housecleaning, maybe some
taxes. Laundry too, but I notice the water is not draining as fast as it
should :-\
Over and out.

<news:cvlr8k$hcm$1@news-int.gatech.edu>

Also: this is probably for 5mg to 10mg doses.  Larger doses will last
longer.