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)

Saturday 01 May

By Angelfire

Vote down Vote up Report this

Julie - First a Persons Hair does not make his or hers Personality .
You may be a little alone of the thought of him cutting his Hair .
He has a wonderful Spirit and is a very Happy Person . Willing to give his Heart to others .
As an "older Rock and Roller " I find him VERY nice looking !
Have you even heard of the Band Posion ?
How do U wear your Hair ?
Are there not Pictures of Jesus with Long Hair ?

God Bless you Brett ! We are praying for u ! Angelfire

Friday 23 April

By bflonana1j

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I never knew who Bret was until the apprentice, & I realized what an intelligent person he is & how he is devoted to raising money for juvenile diabetes. We will pray for him & his family. Get better Bret, the Apprentice will not be the same without you

Saturday 24 April

By Nora

We're praying that you pull through! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends. Take care. God bless.

By Mary

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I hope and pray Bret make's a speedy recovery. We loved watching him on the Celebrity Apprentice and when his little girl got a scare about diabetes we were all praying for her too. Junenile diabetes is a horriable disease my brother law has it. We will keep you and your family in are prayers. God Bless you and good luck.

By stacy

your in my prayers !!!!!

By ennui

he seems like a good guy...get well soon!

By tammy favre peterson

simzee, you're an idiot. Have you ever heard of insurance? Duh!!!!!!!!!

By Donna

Praying for you Bret. May God help you get well.

By judy

Brett,
I have a friend who recovered from this and I am praying the same for you .. and-- do not drink with diabetes,even toasts on the APPRENTICE - you have so many talents- and are a caring father. Prayers are with you

By Gary D

MY Prayers are with you Brett and your Family rock on and get better so i can see you in Milwaukee or Madison again.

By tjfred

Hey all you entitlement seekers: If, as you say Brett Michaels gets better care because he is rich, that's the reward you get for getting off the couch and doing something to earn a living. Geezh. Why is this concept so difficult to grasp for some? Maybe they ought to get off the couch and go to school and LEARN something so they can EARN something.

By Chris

The right to survive an unforeseen illness or injury is a reward for being rich? You're a very cold person.

I hope you don't drive on any public roads, have ever called the fire department or needed a police officer. After all, they're only they're because of our "entitlement"-minded society.

By Wendy

He is a father people..he has kids and there are humans that DO CARE! Let this be just a 'thorn' Bret! ♥

By tanya

I agree with you Wendy..people he's a father and a good person he needs us all to pray for him..so many ill minded people on this wtf..grow up his life is at risk...my prayers go out to u Bret and to ur family..God will make the final decision and i hope it is for bret to continue here on earth with us he's done so much for so many,but there are so many idiot's on here..God Bless You Bret and your family....

By bob

I am not a rock fan at all, and until the apprectice had NO idea who he was and in first couple weeks was hopin he would be gone but as the season has developed and i have had a chance to see what kind of man he is (with his and other kids and stangers) i have gotten to like him and really want to wish him all the best and my prayers are with you

By Trish

OMGosh, Bret we will pray for a speedy recovery. I met you last year at our fair here in Victorville with my friend, Coleen. We also went to see you at the San Manuel Amphitheatre with Def Leppard. You are in thought and prayer Love ya! Trish and Ashleigh... Coleen sends love too!

By Vicki Olson

I feel bad for Brett Michaels, he just got his appendix out and now this. I will be praying for him. He is diabetic and probably will not heal as fast as a healthy person.

By Vic

this is seriously not cool! dude u gotta get better...there's too many people (family, friends, fans, and even some that's none of the above) that cares about you. Me n my crew r prayin' for ya and lighting candles of healing and health for ya. Rock on sweet one.

Blessed Be

By hinecazip

Coco Bites
You are an idiot! If you had a brain you would probably take it out and play with it or maybe bcook it up with some favre beans and a nice chanti, what a jerk to say something like that about another human being with children, I hope you haven't bred yet.

By Nancy

my prayers are with you and your family ,i had brain bleed 2 years ago and i know all of the pain you are going through,just let the doctors do what they have to and god is with you.

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