Bret Michaels in Critical Condition After Brain Hemorrhage

By Mike Hess Posted Apr 23rd 2010 05:06PM

Bret Michaels seemed to be on the mend following a recent hospitalization for an emergency appendectomy, but it seems his situation is far more serious. PEOPLE is reporting that the Poison frontman and 'Celebrity Apprentice' contestant is in critical condition after suffering a "massive subarachnoid hemorrhage" at the base of his brain. Update: Bret's publicist tells PopEater that the PEOPLE report "is accurate," and his camp "will have no additional information until further testing is done."

As of last night, Michaels is said to be in stable condition. TMZ spoke with 'Rock of Love' season 2 winner Amber Lake, who told the gossip site that Michaels is awake, in good spirits and talking.

Meanwhile, Michaels' father, Wallace Sychak, told the NY Daily News that his son is "stabilized and doing as well as can be expected."

"I'm certainly worried, it's not a minor thing. I hope he's hanging in there," he said.

Sychak added that, according to friends close to Michaels, "he's in Arizona in a hospital with really good neurosurgeons."

According to the initial report, the 47-year-old rocker had "several CAT scans, MRIs and an angiogram" done after he was rushed to the hospital following an excruciating headache. "[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation," according to the PEOPLE source.

Bret has been a lifelong sufferer of juvenile diabetes. During an interview last month with PopEater, Bret discussed how his disease led him to raise money and awareness for a diabetes related charity on 'Apprentice.'

Bret's March Visit to PopEater

"I'm a life-long juvenile diabetic, so taking four injections a day and, as I just did right before this, probably six to eight blood tests a day. I really have a strong cause and I'm in there fighting for it," he told PopEater. Watch >>>

Earlier this month, Michaels was rushed to the hospital and underwent an emergency appendectomy. He was released several days later.

Following the scare, he wrote on his Web site, "They told me that if I had gone on stage like I wanted to, [my appendix] likely would have ruptured and I could have died," and joked that "getting your appendix out HURTS."

In a follow-up post, Michaels calls the incident a "wake-up call" and discussed how his rock-and-roll lifestyle often clashed with his diabetes, saying that "for a diabetic, it just doesn't work in your diet. It's got so much sugar content. Here's the misconception, as a diabetic, you can have a few drinks. That is the truth ... But, here's the downside, sometimes because of that feeling of maybe being slightly intoxicated, you don't know if you're having low blood sugar or if you're just drunk."

He continues, describing the experience as such: "Am I just feeling tipsy or am I having low sugar? And, it's a double whammy because here's what happens with alcohol: when you're hung-over then you don't eat right, you don't take your insulin right. So it's best to stay away."

Michaels is best known for fronting the hair-metal band Poison, who were one of the biggest bands in the world in the '80s and early '90s. With hits like 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' and 'Something to Believe In,' they gained worldwide fame and topped the charts.

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Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

Bret Michaels is seen here during his visit to the PopEater offices. Click for More Pics of Bret >>>

Maggie Coughlan, PopEater

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

Bret Michaels is seen here throwing up the universal sign of rockage during his visit to the PopEater offices.

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

Bret chatted about his time on 'Celebrity Apprentice,' and told PopEater that he was "thinking they're all looking at me and thinking I'm the weakest link. They're like 'This guy can drink, be on stage with pyro and suck face. I don't think he's going to bring much to our business group.'"

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

That worked to Bret's advantage, as he won the first challenge and scored $100,000 for his charity, the American Diabetes Association. Bret is a long-time juvenile diabetic, and he says that helps him get motivated to win.

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

"I really have a strong cause and I'm in there fighting for it," Michaels told PopEater.

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

Of his new single 'Nothing to Lose,' Michaels says that Miley Cyrus "was in there with Liam and she's like 'That's a beautiful song.' She said 'Do you mind if I go in and sing some low harmonies and stuff on there?'

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

"I want to straighten out a certain myth that was blogged. There is no weirdness, there is no strangeness. We were in the studio with about 20 people. It is not a duet," Michaels says about the song, which contains a suggestive lyric here and there.

Bret Michaels Visits PopEater

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Comments

(471)

Friday 23 April

By me

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
God Bless,
MUCH LOVE & HUGS!

By james russell

hope brett gets well. crazy guy but he has alot to live for. good luck

By m blanks

Hope he pulls through on this one,he is a rebel with a cause. Rock on Bret... my thoughts are with you!

By Watsons

I am praying for Bret and his family. That is just horrible. Here is hoping that he recovers. Love and Peace Mommadoox

By sweetgyrl13

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family through this tough time. I hope he makes a full recovery! Best wishes to the Michael's family!

By rumcoolie

I agree with you, and thank you Bret for the great concert last month in Des Moines, Iowa.

By Rosey Maxim

After watching him for the 3 seasons of Rock of Love, I knew that Bret has more to him than his 'rock' image. I have been cheering him on Celebrity Apprentice, he's the only one who seems to be totaly up front. My prayers are with you Bret, to bring you back to good health,and to your family for strength and support. God Bless you

By bigeddie

i agree Rosey that he is

By TONY

YOU ARE RIGHT BLESS HIM AND ALL OF YOU PRAYING FOR HIM,GET WELL BRET

By Erica

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I always loved Bret- something very sweet and genuine about him. Besides the fact that he is a sexy guy. Prayers for him and his family.

By Zhynx

Praying that Bret pulls through. God Bless.

By mark cegelka

Bret, your an awsome human being and from what the cameras, music, and tabloids read you really are a beautiful person in my mind. Hope you have the strength to kill that horrific brain pain and rock on with the good you do for others and for myself. Your in my prayers brother..you diserve a miricle!

By lee

God Bless you Brett. Praying for you and your family.

By icdou007

Fight Bret............God Bless. I hope he'll be OK.

By larrapam

Oh my goodness....soo sooo sorry to hear....sending prayers....Too young to have to deal with all this...get Better Brett!!!!

By lorri

I didn't know much about Bret (wasn't he the Rock of Love Guy?) But watching the apprentice I saw a great guy with a big heart. I hope he gets better soon.

By Cindy

You and your family are in my prayers

By TR's a Moron

We care, MORON!

By H

Well, clearly you do, a**hat

By Pamela

feel better Brett!!!

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