Ah! But there’s another component. My ex-wife worked in surgery as a nurse, later as some sort of quasi-surgeon. The drug reps used to take them all out partying. They got paid bank and had an expense account to back it up.

And yes, asking your doctor for a treatment often works. If it’s not problematic, they’ll often give you what you ask for to avoid an argument. I’ve been prescribed antibiotics, without even asking, because they’re so used to being hassled for them.