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 Beth

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That's awful! My prayers for him and his family. God bless you!

Monday 03 May

By Deb

Bret, your job here on earth is not done, there are too many sunrises and sunsets left for you to see. There are so many songs of the songbirds outside your hospital window and later at home for you to hear. Too many hugs waiting for you. All said, there is much more for you to do,share,create and expierence in your life. Get well,Take Care & God Bless

By Patrick

GOD,I just read this and Im so UPSET!!!!HEY MATE!!! GET BETTER!!!!The guy who said who cares,,,youre an idiot....I CARE GET BETTER....I LOVE YOU,PATRICK!!!!!!!

By Elvis

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Simzee, you're an idiot. Anyone can walk into a emergency room and get care. Why do you think our insurance premiums are so high? Obamacare will insure all you idiots receive the care you need since you can't pay for insurance with your high school education. Look around and thank all the people you know, they are paying for you health coverage.

By ellenn

I have been there...at 28 years old while running a race for Breast Cancer I too collapsed from a severe headache and was diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Critical condition for several days...and by luck, chance or guardian angel, the bleed healed itself...miracle I think. Bret will pull through this too..I love him, his music and he has EVERYTHING to pull through for. Prayers are with him!

By Rod Smith

I also had the samething happen last year at my son's baseball game. After 4 days in intensive care and a battery of tests It was determined my hemorrhage too had healed itself.The spinal tap confirmed the Hemorrhage happened. My spinal fluid was red instead of clear. Miracles do happen and because of God's grace I am still here.

By madmike721

Pull thru brett, one cool dude, even for a white guy...One

By Rhonda

I am saddened by this news. I thought he was too self absorbed during "Rock of Love" but as others have said, watching him on The Apprentice I see him in a whole new light. He is very creative and is smarter than I gave him credit for. My prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family. Get well soon!

By GeordieBC

Dealing with Trump would give anyone a brain hemmorhage

By cyndi

OMG, I hope he'll be ok. I LOVE Bret Michaels...since the 80s, and I still do today. And Simzee....I think you're an a**. Who cares whether he has money to get the best medical care or not. Does that make him more expendable because YOU think they're treating him better than a homeless person? He's still a person, you nimwit. God bless, Bret.

By TinaReg

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He has my best wishes for recovery.
PS: Elvis, thank you for so eloquently saying what I was thinking.

By Lisa

Wow-I am shocked! I hope he pulls through this OK-we're praying for ya Brett! :)

By Jennifer

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Good luck to you, Bret! We all are praying for you. Stay strong and keep ROCKIN'!!!!

By Cheryl

Bret..you have touched the hearts of young and old (I'm 61) and we sending our thoughts and Prayers to you and your family. Fight, Bret, we need you, all of us...you are truly one of a kind. Your music has always spoken for itself but to get to know you on the Apprentice we found out what a wonderful Father and Creative Genius you are....and what a great guy with a big heart.
God Bless you and yours in these times..

Saturday 24 April

By marti

My thoughts and prayers are with brett and his family. I have listened to him for years, watched all his rock of love shows and think he is amazing on the apprentice. We just saw him live in concrt in Peoria il. and he was great. Best of luck to him for a full recovery for him and his children

As a aneurysm survior, my thoughts are with I was blessed with good medical care,
I hope the family and love ones will reach out for support.
We do have a support group in our area, it really does help.