"It's teeny!": the World of Healthcare

[Silver Raven]

The Zostervax ads for shingles vaccine says, "Do not use if allergic to gelatin." Is gelatin allergy a thing?

[Cobalt Stargazer]

4 hours ago, Silver Raven said:

The Zostervax ads for shingles vaccine says, "Do not use if allergic to gelatin." Is gelatin allergy a thing?

Yes.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/533062-can-you-be-allergic-to-gelatin/

[Jamoche]

The affectless smoking mom of a preemie baby is back - the one who gets filmed from the inside of the incubation chamber looking out and can't drum up any emotion for the baby she's pretending to talk to.

[OSM Mom]

6 hours ago, Jamoche said:

The affectless smoking mom of a preemie baby is back - the one who gets filmed from the inside of the incubation chamber looking out and can't drum up any emotion for the baby she's pretending to talk to.

Shes creepy as hell. 

[riley702]

I think she comes across as very depressed, deeply sad, or in shock. Numb, maybe.

[Jamoche]

9 hours ago, riley702 said:

I think she comes across as very depressed, deeply sad, or in shock. Numb, maybe.

Shock might apply if the ad was filmed when the kid was actually in the incubator, but it's obviously some time after that. Even if you're right, it still means she's an ineffective spokesperson for the message they're trying to send.

[Jaded]

9 hours ago, riley702 said:

I think she comes across as very depressed, deeply sad, or in shock. Numb, maybe.

I can't remember if the commercial specifically said the lady smoked cigarettes or not. Maybe she smoked something worse and fried her brain a bit in the process.

[StaceyNotStacie]

I love the United Healthcare commercial with Chuck Norris and the salt shaker. Makes me laugh every time I see it. 

[theatremouse]

I enjoy it too, and I don't quite know why. I don't generally enjoy Chuck Norris. I usually cringe at anything that involves injury to the elderly, even though it's clearly not malicious in this ad. And yet, I think it's the way the guy at the end says "I had lunch with Chuck Norris" to the doctor that makes it work for me.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

They just showed that ad, and I like the way the guy's friend says, "You owe me a buck" when Chuck kicks the salt shaker back at him instead of catching it.

[Milburn Stone]

What's the deal with the drug that has the black woman walking through a world completely made of white paper sculpture?

I mean, I get that the creatives were looking for a different "look." And I get that one of the creatives just saw some cool paper sculpture in a gallery over the weekend and said, "Let's do that!"

But shouldn't the choice of look have something to do with concept of the drug or the condition it cures? If this one does, it's beyond me.

Edited February 22, 2017 by Milburn Stone

[BengalKitty]

I work at a doctor's office.  Patients want the new, fancy brand name drugs because the ads tell us to ask our doctors.  However, the commercials omit the part that says it's most unlikely that your insurance company will cover the fancy medication unless you've already tried med 1, 2 and 3 on the other tiers for x-amount of weeks without success.  And then your doctor will have to complete forms documenting medical necessity.

[xls]

On ‎1‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 4:21 PM, Silver Raven said:

The Zostervax ads for shingles vaccine says, "Do not use if allergic to gelatin." Is gelatin allergy a thing?

I wonder why the British voices? Like the Viagra chicks-do they think we'll pay closer attention to a British accent? I totally don't get that.

[Milburn Stone]

If anyone's curious, I found the answer to my question about the spot that's set in "white paper sculpture world," and posted it in the Head-Scratcher topic:

[OSM Mom]

I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the annoying commercials thread. Anywho. There's a commercial for some clear skin medicine. Some shot or something. It features a family with a boy about 10 or 11 maybe? They all go to the beach and mom is in her bikini because she's got clear skin or whatever. The one scene shows mom laying on her stomach in the sand, and the boy laying on her back. No no no. Squick city. I do like the fact that the mom is a normal sized woman and not  stick thin one. But that boy laying on his mom like that is all kinds of wrong IMO. 

[peacheslatour]

On 2/2/2017 at 1:55 PM, Jamoche said:

The affectless smoking mom of a preemie baby is back - the one who gets filmed from the inside of the incubation chamber looking out and can't drum up any emotion for the baby she's pretending to talk to.

My husband's adopted sister is Native American and I've met some of her bio family. I noticed that affect is very standard with them. I'm not saying I think the woman in that commercial is NA, but that's what she reminds me of.

[revbfc]

It's really embarrassing when you've seen ad dozens of times and only just notice the symbolism of a lady giving a flower to a stranger in the park.

Otezla:  show off your cooter to strangers again.

[OSM Mom]

16 hours ago, revbfc said:

It's really embarrassing when you've seen ad dozens of times and only just notice the symbolism of a lady giving a flower to a stranger in the park.

Otezla:  show off your cooter to strangers again.

 

I hate that commercial with the red hot fury of a million suns. Cutesy crap. Sticking out your tongue, and that scene in the park.... No he doesn't think you're cute. He thinks you're a freak. Stuff the cutesy wootsy garbage.  

[Moose135]

16 hours ago, revbfc said:

It's really embarrassing when you've seen ad dozens of times and only just notice the symbolism of a lady giving a flower to a stranger in the park.

I've never had a strange lady give me a flower in a park - what does it mean?

And when I say "strange lady" I don't mean strange as in odd, but as in a stranger who is a woman. ;-)

Edited May 18, 2017 by Moose135

[mmecorday]

I met a strange lady. She made me nervous. She took me in and gave me breakfast.

[LoneHaranguer]

2 hours ago, Moose135 said:

I've never had a strange lady give me a flower in a park - what does it mean?

Symbolically, flower = vagina, most commonly used in the context of a women giving up her virginity; can't say I've ever heard of any guy getting that kind of "hello there" before seeing this ad.

[Sandman87]

Flowers can symbolize a whole lot more than that, but watch out for translation difficulties.

[bigskygirl]

Trainer Bob from The Biggest Loser is now doing ads for a heart medication for patients who had a heart attack. *rolling eyes*

[SuprSuprElevated]

4 hours ago, bigskygirl said:

Trainer Bob from The Biggest Loser is now doing ads for a heart medication for patients who had a heart attack. *rolling eyes*

Monetizing your widow maker - for the win!

[theatremouse]

He did have a heart attack somewhat recently. It's not completely out of the blue they chose him.

[BradandJanet]

My son and I get a kick out of the drug commercial that advises that before taking THE DRUG, you need to advise your doctor if you've have x, y, or a liver transplant. I hope any doctor who prescribes a strong drug would check and notice something as significant as a liver transplant. If not, I can't imagine forgetting to mention it to everyone in scrubs or a white coat. 

[Jamoche]

A while back we mocked the woman who said "nobody told her that menopause meant painful sex", because pretty much the two things everyone knows about menopause are painful sex and hot flashes. Especially the hot flashes - oh, the Golden Girls gags.

Well, there's a new "nobody told me" out there, only this time it's "menopause causes weight gain". And she's right. I had not heard that one, and much to my annoyance, I have a whole bunch of pants that I'd been wearing for years that don't fit now. It's like your pre-period weight gain, only it doesn't drop back down. And I googled for it, and there's lots of "oh, it's just normal aging and lifestyle." Nope! Exactly one thing has changed in the past 3 months, and it wasn't my lifestyle.

If only I'd caught what the ad was for...

[Haleth]

19 hours ago, Jamoche said:

Well, there's a new "nobody told me" out there, only this time it's "menopause causes weight gain". And she's right

Not necessarily.  It means harder work to keep the weight off but I haven't put on any extra lbs.  I keep yelling at that lady to go take a walk.

[Jamoche]

5 hours ago, Haleth said:

Not necessarily.  It means harder work to keep the weight off but I haven't put on any extra lbs.  I keep yelling at that lady to go take a walk.

Needing to do harder work isn't a side effect? There I was, doing exactly the same stuff as always, and suddenly I'm two sizes bigger. 

[ABay]

I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Love in a Cold Climate: You are so fortunate not to be a beauty, Fanny, you'll never know the agony of losing your looks.

[mmecorday]

Quote

I keep yelling at that lady to go take a walk.

Worst.Standup.Ever. This from a person who used to watch Ed McMahon's "Star Search."

[Sandman87]

I like the ads that tell you to "check with your doctor" before taking their prescription drug. How the hell else am I going to get a prescription for it?

[HipOldBat]

On 10/7/2016 at 11:07 AM, random chance said:

I was told it was a one-time thing.

My pharmacist is having me come back in 6 weeks for a second vaccine against shingles.  He says it's "recommended" because so many people still got shingles with only the one vaccine.

[funky-rat]

4 minutes ago, HipOldBat said:

My pharmacist is having me come back in 6 weeks for a second vaccine against shingles.  He says it's "recommended" because so many people still got shingles with only the one vaccine.

I had chicken pox (I'm in my 40's) and a friend the same age got Shingles a few years ago, and we had been in contact (we were taking an aqua aerobics class, and I picked up her towel that she accidentally left behind - she also rode in my car).  The insurance I had at the time refused to pay for a vaccine for me, as they said I wasn't old enough (I was at least 40 at that time).  We asked about my husband - he has never had chicken pox, no matter how many times he was exposed to them as a child.  The insurance said they would for him, but insisted on an antibody test first.  The antibody test showed he is naturally immune to chicken pox, so they would not do the vaccine for him either.  I'm assuming his natural immunity covers shingles as well.

[HipOldBat]

2 minutes ago, funky-rat said:

I had chicken pox (I'm in my 40's) and a friend the same age got Shingles a few years ago, and we had been in contact (we were taking an aqua aerobics class, and I picked up her towel that she accidentally left behind - she also rode in my car).  The insurance I had at the time refused to pay for a vaccine for me, as they said I wasn't old enough (I was at least 40 at that time).  We asked about my husband - he has never had chicken pox, no matter how many times he was exposed to them as a child.  The insurance said they would for him, but insisted on an antibody test first.  The antibody test showed he is naturally immune to chicken pox, so they would not do the vaccine for him either.  I'm assuming his natural immunity covers shingles as well.

I guess it really depends on the person, then.  I have had chicken pox 4 times - once as a child, and once after each of my 3 kids had it.  So, for me, an additional vaccine is probably a good idea.

[funky-rat]

8 minutes ago, HipOldBat said:

I guess it really depends on the person, then.  I have had chicken pox 4 times - once as a child, and once after each of my 3 kids had it.  So, for me, an additional vaccine is probably a good idea.

Definitely.  It's why I was so concerned about my husband, since I had come in to contact with it, I was afraid for him, never having had it.  It can be deadly in adults.  I can see why they are giving you multiple shots.

[ABay]

I was just thinking that a more fitting name for this thread would be Moderate to Severe or Ask Your Physician or Side Effects May Include...

Not that there's anything wrong with the thread title, just that those phrases are so common in healthcare ads.

[funky-rat]

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 8:34 PM, ABay said:

I was just thinking that a more fitting name for this thread would be Moderate to Severe or Ask Your Physician or Side Effects May Include...

Not that there's anything wrong with the thread title, just that those phrases are so common in healthcare ads.

"Do not take this drug if you are allergic to it".

[riley702]

Right? If it's brand new, how would you know?

[funky-rat]

15 hours ago, riley702 said:

Right? If it's brand new, how would you know?

Exactly.

[mmecorday]

I have an irrational hated for the Neulasta commercials. One features a wife whose receiving chemo and in the other, a husband is the chemo patient. The idea is that if you take Neulasta, then you won't have to go back to the doctor's "just for a shot" after a day of chemo. Yes, but you might have to face some pretty rough side effects such as ruptured spleen (!)

[Snark Byte]

On 4/2/2018 at 10:28 AM, funky-rat said:

"Do not take this drug if you are allergic to it".

So annoying. Yeah- I'm covered in hives and bleeding rashes, swollen up like a parade float, but I'm going to keep taking the stuff! Duh.

Reminds me of when I was 15, and had an allergic reaction to some medicine I took. My eyes were literally swollen shut, so I went back to the doctor to see if there was anything they could give me to reduce the swelling.

Dr. Bozo sat there all smug in his bow tie and round glasses, with this pearl of wisdom rolling off his lips: "You're allergic to it. Stop taking it."

I just sat there in stunned silence.

No shit, Sherlock!

[Jaded]

When going to my Dr.'s office there's always a tech that takes patients blood pressure, temp and updates patient files at a computer. Whoever it is that day will ask the same questions each time with one of them being to describe what the effects are if you ingest meds your allergic to. I was found to be allergic to penicillin when I was too young to remember what happened. I just remember my Mom telling whatever Dr's office and/or pharmacy that I was allergic to it growing up. I always answer that I don't remember what happened but I'd rather not try it again since allergies can kill people.

Edited April 14, 2018 by Jaded

[funky-rat]

Yeah, they started asking me that too.  And allergies go in degrees and vary.

Erythromycin and Azithromycin give me unrelenting/debilitating nausea, to the point where I can't get out of bed, or eat, or even smell food.  Sulfas and Bactrim make my gums swell up, and it hurts.  I used to get hives from Ibuprofen, but we later found out it was the inert ingredients in one specific brand (which was consequently pulled off the market) but I still mention it, just in case it's necessary.  I also list myself as mildy allergic to bee stings -  where I'm stung, I swell up big and it gets really painful, but I do not need an Epi-Pen, thankfully.

My biggest issue with the "don't take" comment is that if it's a brand new med, how would you know?

Edited April 16, 2018 by funky-rat

[Eliot]

As someone whose mom died of lung cancer, I’d like to offer up a hearty “fuck you” to Bristol-Meyers Squibb and the agency who created those dreadful Opdivo (sp?) ads taunting cancer patients with “a chance to live longer.”

First of all, how much longer? I think it’s basically a couple of months, no? And I can assure you those people on that medication are not romping around on some mountainside having picnics, or going fishing with their grandchildren or whatever fuck-all these assholes have them doing.

And finally, to your smarmy, condescending, astonishingly obtuse question  “Who wouldn’t want a chance to live longer?” Maybe someone whose spirit and body and psyche are so broken and riddled with disease and despair that they’ve made the courageous decision to let go, die with dignity, and spend their last days surrounded by loved ones. How dare you shame them?

[friendperidot]

Commercials just on, first the Buick one where one neighbor tells the other the vehicle will hold x amount of people or a poodle. Then the other neighbor drones on about all the breeds that dog is. I've mostly quit paying attention. But tonight, right after that one, some medication and the announcer started announcing all of the "do not take if" and "what possible things might happen." Same tone of voice.

[cynicat]

11 hours ago, friendperidot said:

Commercials just on, first the Buick one where one neighbor tells the other the vehicle will hold x amount of people or a poodle. Then the other neighbor drones on about all the breeds that dog is. I've mostly quit paying attention. But tonight, right after that one, some medication and the announcer started announcing all of the "do not take if" and "what possible things might happen." Same tone of voice.

I hate car commercials but that one about how that dog is NOT just a poodle makes me laugh. I get how it drones like a pharma ad though, but I think that's the intent.

[Jamoche]

And the award for Most Ridiculous Use of "Moderate to Severe" goes to Botox for wrinkles. I think by the time your wrinkles get to the "severe" stage, Botox isn't going to do anything for you.

[LoneHaranguer]

10 hours ago, Jamoche said:

I think by the time your wrinkles get to the "severe" stage, Botox isn't going to do anything for you.

If your intent is to hide your wrinkles by spackling on some heavy makeup, that'll work better with some Botox to keep things relatively immobile.

[mmecorday]

Vraylar for bipolar disorder. Because it'll make you feel better if you're on a prescription drug that sounds like the name of a Targaryen king. Also, if this woman really made all those sandwiches, I hope they were distributed to homeless people.