The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of "zombie drivers," specifically those operating vehicles under the influence of the prescription sleeping pill Ambien. Participants explore the implications of sleepwalking while driving, the effects of the drug, and the potential dangers associated with its misuse. The conversation touches on personal experiences, anecdotal evidence, and the broader societal impact of such behavior.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the safety and implications of Ambien use while driving. There are competing views on whether it is acceptable to use the drug for stress relief and the extent of its side effects, including hallucinations and memory loss.
Limitations in the discussion include a lack of clarity on the timing of Ambien use in relation to driving incidents and the varying personal experiences with the drug. The conversation also reflects differing opinions on the responsibilities of physicians in prescribing such medications.
I don't believe they ask for that information when you get a license.TheStatutoryApe said:
Did he fall asleep at work?Evo said:
Constantly. When we had meetings with our VP, I would sit on one side of him and someone else would sit on the other side and we'd take turns kicking him in the shins when his eyes would start to close.zoobyshoe said:
I never let him go out with me again.That's amazing. I don't know anything about it, what causes it. But I gather there's no medication? Caffein pills, maybe?Evo said:Constantly. When we had meetings with our VP, I would sit on one side of him and someone else would sit on the other side and we'd take turns kicking him in the shins when his eyes would start to close.
I was in a very important client meeting once and he attended. I was presenting when I noticed the clients were all staring at him. His head was thrown back, his mouth open and he was sound asleep.
With people at risk for seizing while driving, their neurologist contacts the DMV directly, himself, and gets them put on a list of people who can't legally drive. If they're seizure-free for a certain amount of time, they can usually get it back, but it's up to the discretion of the neurologist. I would thnk the same would apply with narcolepsy.Evo said:
If they're being treated, I don't think he was.zoobyshoe said:
So, it was kind of a situation where he fell asleep all the time, pretended it was no big deal, and no one mentions the word "Narcolepsy"?Evo said:
Well, we all mentioned narcolepsy. It was a huge deal. But I don't think he ever went for treatment.zoobyshoe said:
Could be he'd check into it and realized he'd be restricted if he got that diagnosis.Evo said:
Probably why he didn't go to the doctor. We had to have afidavits that we could drive, had clean driving records and furnish proof of insurance to retain our jobs. It became a requirement for all management employees since we had access to company cars.zoobyshoe said:
Yeah, he wouldn't have met those criteria with a diagnosis of narcolepsy.Evo said:
So, he never drove, one of us always drove.zoobyshoe said:
I see. The narcoleptic rode shotgun, and the ambien sleep-drivers took the wheel. All works out.Evo said:
zoobyshoe said:
zoobyshoe said:
Evo, is this all at your current job, or in a different state? I just want to know in which state I should be watching out for the sleep-driving narcoleptics. 
And I thought I had enough to worry about with drunk drivers.Oh-oh. You responded with smileys only. I don't know what to say to a smiley. They're too non-verbal. I feel like I'm talking to a mime.Evo said:
TheStatutoryApe said:
It always leaves me worried I'm going to get a call one day that he was in some horrible accident on the way home because he fell asleep at the wheel. Yes, he should be smacked silly for it.Moonbear said:Yikes! When I first read the title, I thought you were going to be saying something about people who are too tired to be driving getting into accidents. But, actually taking a sleeping pill then getting into a car without even realizing it?! That explains the driving of the morning commuters a bit better though.
