Celebrity Rehab Line-Up

After a few weeks of speculation it seems the cast/patients for the upcoming season of Dr. Drew/VH1′s Celebrity Rehab are ready for treatment …

Allegedly, several “big names” – such as Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, and Liza Minnelli (random, I know) – passed before sex tape star Shauna Sand agreed to join the cast and confront some issues with alcohol (and hopefully ice cream – sex tape joke … don’t look it up. Seriously).

Joining Sand are reality T.V. “stars” Tila Tequila (who allegedly struggles with prescription pill addiction) and Jason Wahler (who’s had some alcohol issues post The Hills and Laguna Beach).

Shooting is scheduled to begin as early as Friday.

(Images via PicApp. Deep links are not my property, nor are they to be used or assumed as such.)

Lady Gaga … Lupus?

During a recent interview with Q and A “king” – Larry King, Lady Gaga’s health, and susceptibility to a certain disease was brought into question. Not wanting to mix words, King blatantly asked Gaga if she suffered from a condition known as “lupus.” In surprising, un-Hollywood form, Lady Gaga stated that: 1. she has been tested for the condition, 2. she has a genetic pre-disposition to lupus, 3. she currently displays no lupus symptoms, 4. she tested “borderline positive” for the disease.

So, what does all this mean?

First, lupus (formally known as systemic lupus erythematosus) is an auto-immune disease, which essentially means lupus is a condition where the body’s immune system (the aspect of our bodies that identifies bad, foreign objects and destroys them – a.k.a. fights disease) malfunctions, and attacks healthy tissues. In the case of lupus, the immune system attacks the skin, joints, kidneys, and several other organs. The most common symptoms of lupus are joint pain and arthritis, specifically in the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees. Lupus can occur in different systems at once or in one area at a time. Since it is an auto-immune disorder, lupus, in the case of Lady Gaga, is most likely genetic.

So, what does a “borderline” positive lupus result mean? Well, lupus is diagnosis by observing a number of characteristics. Out of a possible eleven signs of the disease, demonstrating four lupus characteristics results in a positive diagnosis. So, I would assume that a “borderline” positive diagnosis means Lady Gaga demonstrated several of these characteristics (three, maybe even four?), but not enough for a definite yes or no.

Currently, there is no cure for lupus, and the disease is fought on an individualized basis. The real risks are associated with reactions in crucial organ systems (kidneys, heart), so hopefully Gaga will remain healthy, and any potential attacks will occur in small, manageable areas (or not at all!).

Well, I wish Gaga all the best! Chances are, she’ll remain healthy and continue her antics …

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RIP, RIP, RIP, RIP …

Unfortunately, it seems as if the Summer of 2010 is shaping up to outdo its 2009 counterpart (aka the Summer of celebrity deaths) …

In the past week, English screenwriter (and husband of recently deceased actress Brittany Murphy) Simon Monjack, Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, and actors Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper, passed away.

Simon Monjack (39), who’s motives were questioned after the death of Brittany Murphy in December 2009, was discovered by Murphy’s mother, Sharon, dead, in his home on the evening of May 23rd. The cause of death still remains a mystery, though a “heart problem” is the likely culprit.

Paul Gray (38) was discovered in an Iowa hotel room on May 24th. Although the cause of death is still unknown, a syringe and pill bottle were found next to Gray’s body. The toxicology report is in the works (more when this is released).

On May 26th, actor Gary Coleman (42), who struggled with health issues for years, fell in his Utah home and was admitted to a hospital with swelling on the brain. On May 27th, Coleman lost consciousness, was placed on life support, and passed away shortly after midnight on May 28th.

Despite aggressive treatment, Hollywood legend Dennis Hopper (74) lost his ongoing battle with prostate cancer and passed away on May 29th, 2010. Hopper died, hopefully surrounded by family and friends, in his Venice, CA home.

Well, RIP, RIP, RIP, RIP …

(Images via PicApp. Deep links are not my property, nor are they to be used or assumed as such.)

Bret Michaels Hospitalized Again

Singer and reality T.V. star Bret Michaels was hospitalized again today. After recovering from serious brain hemorrhaging issues, Michaels reportedly began experiencing numbness in the left side of his body and was admitted to the hospital earlier this week. Doctors performed a series of tests, and found that Bret suffered a “warning stroke,” caused by a “hole in his heart.” Ironically, the doctors do not think either of these conditions are related to Michael’s recent brain injuries.

So, what is a “warning stroke” and a “hole in the heart?”

Unfortunately, these aren’t songs titles from Open Up and Say … Ahh!‘s B-side (it’s a Poison joke) …

A “warning stroke,” better known as a Transient Ischemic Attack, is an episode where an individual experiences stoke-like symptoms for a short period of time (less than 24 hours), and usually indicates, unless prevented, a full-scale stroke is on its way. Symptoms include tingling or numbness in one-side of the body.

A “hole in the heart” also known as Patent Foramen Ovale is a condition where a flap of tissue, that separates heart chambers shortly after birth, fails to anchor properly. When pressure (caused by blood levels) becomes high in a certain chamber, this flap opens (in regular adults, it would stay closed) and blood flows incorrectly. Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) occurs in around 25% of normal adults, and is the most probable cause of Bret’s “warning stroke.”

Luckily, Bret’s doctors report that the condition can be treated with surgery and a regimen of blood thinning medication.

Get well soon Bret … we need you back on that love bus ASAP.

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Megan Fox Dropped From Transformers 3

News broke earlier this morning that rumored plastic surgery recipient and unique thumb owner, (click to read those posts) Megan Fox, was dropped from the third Transformers film. Earlier this year, amongst Fox’s continual bad-mouthing of the popular film franchise and director Michael Bay, crew members released statements claiming Megan was less than pleasant to work with and unpopular on set. It’s uncertain whether either of these situations led to Megan’s release.

Well, good luck Megan. I’ll still see Jonah Hex.

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Corey Haim Cause of Death

In an unforeseen turn of events, TMZ reports the L.A. Coroner’s Office is releasing their report on the untimely death of actor Corey Haim, and the results are unexpected …

Since Haim suffered from a lifelong addiction to varying types of narcotics (not to mention an alleged position in a L.A. area, prescription drug ring), many initially assumed drugs caused Haim’s demise.

However, the Coroner’s Office reports Haim’s heart and pneumonia, not drugs, are to blame.

More as this story develops …

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Charlie Sheen Balding??

Charlie Sheen is no stranger to recent headlines. Domestic disputes, rehab, secret rendezvous – you name it. However, one Sheen-related attribute that hasn’t garnered much media attention is Charlie’s hairline. Well, until now …

Taking a page out of Britney’s book, Sheen apparently shaved his head.

Earlier today, TMZ broke the story, and quickly confirmed their claim with photographic evidence (seen here).

Now, at face value, this story shouldn’t have much relevance to this blog. However, after seeing the pictures of Sheen’s shaved head and comparing it to his regular appearance; I was shocked at the level of hair-loss/recession. Looking closely at the pictures, it’s fairly clear Sheen’s hair has recessed to a level III on the Norwood balding scale, and it appears as if the density in the midscalp is quite a bit lower than the density in the crown/vertex area (back of the head).

Sheen’s hair always looks so youthful and dense on TV, which makes me wonder:

-What Sheen (or his stylist) uses to make his hair appear so natural and thick?

-If Sheen has undergone any sort of transplant procedure in the past?

-If he’s currently using any sort of oral or topical (Rogaine/Propecia) medications?

-And, will Charlie need to undergo any sort of hair restoration in the future??

With all that’s happening, it’s probably the last thing on Charlie’s mind … or scalp.

(Images via PicApp. Deep links are not my property, nor are they to be used or assumed as such.)

Dr. Conrad Murray: Michael Jackson Killed Himself??

In an odd turn of events, it appears that Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician facing manslaughter charges from his alleged involvement in the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, has a different opinion on who is responsible for Jackson’s death …

According to Murray, Jackson himself is responsible.

Apparently, Murray claims, on the day Jackson died, he administered a small, reasonable amount (25 mg) of the drug Propofol to help Michael sleep. Murray then stayed in the room with Jackson (apparently standard procedure) to monitor as the King of Pop slept.

However, allegedly, Murray left the room for two minutes to make a phone call and use the restroom, and in that time, Jackson, who was having trouble sleeping, self-injected a lethal amount of Propofol, ultimately causing his own death.

Murray’s team claim Jackson was a Propofol addict, and self-administering the drug was nothing new.

Check out TMZ for the initial story, and more as this unfolds …

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Rip Torn Update

Earlier today, Actor Rip Torn pleaded “not guilty” to charges of burglary, trespassing, carrying a firearm without a permit, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, and criminal mischief, in a Connecticut courtroom.

Charges stem from Torn’s recent break-in at a Connecticut bank, where he was found, by police, heavily intoxicated, unconscious, and armed (see more about this here).

Torn’s attorney claims he is successfully completing rehabilitation.

Well, good luck Rip … more as this unfolds ( expect community service, court ordered rehab, and a good, ‘ole fashioned “I’m sorry.” )

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Dennis Hopper Hollywood Walk of Fame

Since we’ve discussed actor Dennis Hopper and his battle with prostate cancer before (here), I figured this was an appropriate update …

On March 26, 2010, actor Dennis Hopper received a long overdue star on the infamous Hollywood “walk of fame.” Hopper, who, as previously stated, is battling prostate cancer, arrived looking very thin and frail from treatments.

I hope I’m reading into this too much, because I’m a little nervous as to why he’s getting the star now. Either way, keep fighting Dennis!!

PS – the bandage is from a fall near Hopper’s home, allegedly caused by a pesky paparazzo.

(Images via PicApp. Deep links are not my property, nor are they to be used or assumed as such.)