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 24 April

By CoCoBiteMe

Vote down Vote up Report this

CoCoBites is a maggot.

Rock on, Brett! We're all praying for ya.

Friday 23 April

By pjs

Im so sorry to hear this. I know u just got bad news about your daughter too.When it rains it pours i guess is true. I will keep u in my prayers and call some other people to pray for u and your family. Get well soon!!!

By lil1to

God be with you Brett and your family, love your music, loved your rock of love show, you will be in my prayers, as for Elvis not all people with just a high school education don't have insurance, i never went to college and have always worked for a living AND always paid for my own health insurance, get a life elvis!!

By moonface467

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

bret baby do ever give up u still strong and young fight for ur kids for urslf ,,u b well soon cause ur heart is amazing ;) love moon

By NoDoubtGirl

Get Well Soon, Bret!!!!

By diane

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

What if you're poor and have no health insurance?

By gaybe

In my state, hospitals can't turn you away because you have no insurance. Who cares!

By Elizabeth

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Get well soon Bret!

By artisticwriter

Bret, you've been through so much. Someone up there is trying to tell you to slow the hell down! As a diabetic, I've been there and lucky to have a second chance. You got to use it wisely! Hope you are well very soon! Love you on apprentice! Take care!

By madams

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u are so RIGHT ON I was the same way......Many Blessings to u Bret

By Jeanne

Praying for you to make it Bret. You have so much more living to do. I know you can pull through this one. Dear God, Bless Bret Michaels in Jesus name and bring him back to us. Please don't take him now. We want to hear what he's learned and how it's gonna change his life, forever. Amen. Love Jeanne

By Debbie

OMG I will cry if he does not make it, I grew up listening to Poison and love Bret Michaels, my prayers are with you and your family, you are awesome, please get better soon.

By JMN

God bless and quick recovery for Bret. Oboma doesn't help anyone. I am selfemployed pay taxes and do not have coverage cause can't afford it.

By Lea

Bret, Hang in there guy .You're a Pistol and We Love You!
God Bless You and Get You Well Soon!

By Chris

Subarachnoid hemorrhage? Wow. That's terrible news. The prognosis for that type of injury is usually not very good. Hopefully, they've caught it early enough.

By Roger Otten

A bleed at the "base" of his brain, or brain stem is not good. He needs lots of prayers!

Am praying for him right now brother. Jeanne

By Doreen

Bret, a speading recovery is what I am wishing for you. You are in my prayers.

By CAT

Bret may the Lord put his healing hand over you for a speedy recovery. You have done so much to bring awareness for your cause that I hope everyone is aware of your illness at this time and prays for you for strength & wellness. My prayers go to you and your family; especailly to your girls. Daughters always need their father in ther life. God Bless

By Rockin

Hope its not an underlying result from being slammed in the head with that prop a lil while back

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