1005: David Fajgenbaum | Leveraging AI to Cure Rare Diseases

Initial Symptoms

David Fajgenbaum was a third-year medical student when he first experienced severe fatigue and organ failure. Despite his medical background, he initially dismissed his symptoms as typical student burnout. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to multiple organ failures and a desperate search for a diagnosis 1 2.

I would find an empty hospital room, set my alarm for seven minutes, sleep for six minutes, and then go to the next room. It was this fatigue that's sort of, like, basically impossible to describe.

--- David Fajgenbaum

David's journey highlights the challenges of diagnosing rare diseases, even for those within the medical community.

   

Near-Death Experiences

David's battle with Castleman disease led to multiple near-death experiences, including severe pain and organ failure. He described the excruciating pain caused by fluid buildup and the emotional toll of saying goodbye to loved ones 3 4.

The pain is, like, hard to describe. It's so unbearable because when your kidneys and your liver stop working, what happens? You start gaining fluid all over your body.

--- David Fajgenbaum

Despite these harrowing experiences, David's resilience and determination to find a cure kept him fighting.

   

Medical Humor

Humor played a crucial role in helping David cope with his illness. He shared anecdotes of finding humor in dire situations, such as a friend's stethoscope accidentally hitting him during a visit 5.

My friend Francisco comes in to hug me, and his stethoscope hits me right between the eyes. I'm like, oh my gosh, did you just poke me to death?

--- David Fajgenbaum

David also recounted the bizarre experience of losing 50 pounds of fluid in two weeks, highlighting the surreal aspects of his medical journey 6.