BRET MICHAELS Medical Update

POISON singer Bret Michaels' latest medical workup demonstrated findings of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a type of stroke that causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. It presents itself suddenly as the sound of a loud gunshot or thunderclap at the back of the head, causing severe cranial pain and muscle spasms.

Many people are speculating Michaels head injury suffered from a prop striking the singer at the Tony Awards last June is the cause. Additional studies are planned throughout the week to hopefully detect the exact cause of the rupture. Coupled with the fact that Michaels is a lifelong Type 1 diabetic and has recently undergone emergency appendectomy surgery while on tour in San Antonio, he will remain monitored closely by his medical team to make sure no complications occur from the diabetes.

The most common cause of this condition is a spontaneous rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. However, 15 to 20 percent of spontaneous episodes of this hemorrhage are found to have no cause.

Michaels has undergone a continuous series of tests while in the ICU, including angiograms, CT scans, MRIs and transcranial dopplers (TCDs). Doctors state Michaels is very lucky as his condition could have been fatal. With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months.

Michaels remains under 24-hour observation in the ICU and is in positive spirits. He is responding well to tests and treatments.

Even though today was a minor setback, doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday.

Last night on "Larry King Live", Bret Michaels' condition was the topic on the show as Donald Trump Jr., Daryl Strawberry, Sanjay Gupta and Carlos Diaz discussed concerns, lasting affects as well as Michaels as a person. Donald Trump Jr. stated that "Bret is very likeable guy, down to earth and a solid person." He added that out of all the people from "Celebrity Apprentice", "I may have had the best kind of off-camera relationship with him over the three years." Trump Jr. also said Bret is a great father and rocker and expressed concerned for the singer's health. Strawberry, who starred on "Celebrity Apprentice" with Michaels, said Bret is "a good friend" on and off camera and called him "a hard worker" who was "a creative force on the show."