# Where's davidm? In the hospital recovering from a medical screwup. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/241 "2018-01-03T02:12:13Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > damn, I’m sorry to hear it. The breathing is probably just a head cold. The bigger concern is that I had what appeared to be a seizure today. I didn’t even realize until the doctor who witnessed it told me, so it’s possible it’s not the first. I’m scheduled for an MRI and and an EKG tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/242 "2018-01-03T02:53:28Z")
Yikes. Wishing you the best. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/243 "2018-01-03T22:47:18Z")
The neurological symptoms may be due to a .magnesium deficiency. My poor veins are so abused at this point that they had to start a midline to be able to administer the magnesium and continue my other IV meds. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/244 "2018-01-03T23:10:21Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > The neurological symptoms may be due to a .magnesium deficiency. > > My poor veins are so abused at this point that they had to start a midline to be able to administer the magnesium and continue my other IV meds. I’m with you on the Mg, buddy! I just bought a 3 months supply for myself this morning at the pharmacy, so I’ll toast to you when I take mine before dinner tonight. 450 mg, 2x per day. Hang in there!! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/245 "2018-01-05T17:07:23Z")
They have to give my driver’s license number to the PA DMV because of the seizure. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/246 "2018-01-05T20:34:27Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They have to give my driver’s license number to the PA DMV because of the seizure. Bummer, but if it was an evoked seizure due to magnesium problems, that should make it easier to get it back. Finding a definite cause and being able to fix it is the best seizure outcome, but is far from a common outcome ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/247 "2018-01-05T20:44:30Z")
Hi **davidm** - sorry to hear you’re still having problems. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/248 "2018-01-05T22:12:50Z")
I’m glad you’re hanging in there, David. Any results from the EKG and MRI yet? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/249 "2018-01-05T22:20:01Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Bummer, but if it was an evoked seizure due to magnesium problems, that should make it easier to get it back. Finding a definite cause and being able to fix it is the best seizure outcome, but is far from a common outcome I understand why, and I don’t necessarily disagree. I certainly don’t want it happening behind the wheel! The magnesium problem is due to the GI issues. I’m dumping a lot of water. They’re investigating that issue now. They’re talking about bringing in one of the top GI docs from U of Penn. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/250 "2018-01-05T22:26:42Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > I’m glad you’re hanging in there, David. Any results from the EKG and MRI yet? The EKG was normal. All the neurologist would say about the MRI was “it was consistent with a seizure”. I suppose that means that it didn’t show anything that would rule out a seizure. In any case he doesn’t think I need anti- seizure meds. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/251 "2018-01-05T22:42:56Z")
I have nothing to say about all of this that isn’t obscene. I am so sorry that you are going through this mess. I’ve skated “” this close to needing mid-line before, but never actually had to have one. How is the pneumonia coming? Improving I hope? May I ask if you have been given a list of specific things that must happen before you can leave rehab? Do you have any favorite past-times? Games, books (if so what type), magazines (what types), stamp collecting? Could you remind us of your address? Best wishes to you. I hope the New Year brings much better things. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/252 "2018-01-05T23:10:39Z")
The pulmonologist signed off on me so the pneumonia must be better. As far as things to do - while I appreciate the offer I have lots to occupy my time. I have my Kindle Fire and Netflix, and I bought the Kindle edition of Michael Wollf’s _Fire and Fury_, so I have things to do. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/253 "2018-01-05T23:12:14Z")
I have _Fire and Fury_ too. I think I’m going to start a thread for it in Cafe Society. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/254 "2018-01-05T23:15:01Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I have _Fire and Fury_ too. I think I’m going to start a thread for it in Cafe Society. 🙂 I may join you in it. Can you post a link here? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/255 "2018-01-06T17:14:52Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I have _Fire and Fury_ too. I think I’m going to start a thread for it in Cafe Society. 🙂 I’d suggest GD instead of CS, unless you just want to discuss the writing style. 😉 But better act quickly, as this will be the talk of the town in a day or two, if it doesn’t already qualify for that status. I hope the new week brings you good news, **David**. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/256 "2018-01-07T02:42:14Z")
@ **davidm** : I haven’t followed this entire thread, so maybe I’ve missed this: Do you know what antibiotics they were pumping into you all that time, and have you told us? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/257 "2018-01-07T03:10:10Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > @ **davidm** : I haven’t followed this entire thread, so maybe I’ve missed this: Do you know what antibiotics they were pumping into you all that time, and have you told us? Meri…something and I forget the other one. They’ve finished with the antibiotics now. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/258 "2018-01-07T05:55:31Z")
Meripenem? That’s one of the newer Godzillacillins. Hope your recovery continues, and from now on without any hitches. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/259 "2018-01-07T08:07:34Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Meripenem? That’s one of the newer Godzillacillins. > > Hope your recovery continues, and from now on without any hitches. I’m wondering if he was pumped full of some kind of fluoroquinolone, another class of industrial-strength antibiotics. Those can have unpleasant neurological adverse effects, which might also persist long after the medication itself has been discontinued. Any mention of seizures makes me wonder about that. ETA: Upon poking around, I see that meropenem can do that too. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/260 "2018-01-07T08:36:31Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Meripenem? That’s one of the newer Godzillacillins. > > Hope your recovery continues, and from now on without any hitches. Yes, I think one of them was Meripenem. I know that they were giving me two strong broad spectrum antibiotics via IV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=14)