CNN TV
SCHEDULE ANCHORS & REPORTERS CONTACT US HLN


July 1, 2009

Nutritionist: Jackson begged for sedatives for insomnia

Posted: 11:07 AM ET
Kiran Chetry - Anchor, CNN's American Morning
Filed under: Entertainment • Health

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - Michael Jackson suffered from severe bouts of insomnia and pleaded for a powerful sedative despite knowing its harmful effects, a nutritionist who worked with the singer said Tuesday.

Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner who first met Jackson in January to treat his children for a common cold, said she rejected his requests for Diprivan and informed him of the side effects.

"I told him this medication is not safe," Lee said. "He said, 'I just want to get some sleep. You don't understand. I just want to be able to be knocked out and go to sleep.'"

"I told him - and it is so painful that I actually felt it in my whole spirit - 'If you take this you might not wake up.'"

According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, nurse practitioners "provide high-quality health care services similar to those of a doctor." They can also prescribe medications, according to the academy's Web site.

CNN could not independently verify whether Lee worked with Jackson.

Keep reading this story »


Share this on:
lets get real   July 1st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

jackson a child molestor media hipes him up what is the world coming too.we are not allowed to say we do not believe in gay marriage .whats hollywood and tv all about not honesty thats for sure. there are no rules the rich get richer the poor get poorer and we feed junk from the tv to our children even the news you can not believe anymore .shame on you theres no one we can believe anymore.zonnie ...maiden nc

Gerard   July 1st, 2009 7:30 pm ET

Yes, I believe this is probably the case, that Mr.MJ desperately wanted to be knocked out of circulation for a good night's sleep. I'm also an insomniac and resorted to sleeping pills in the end but I later learned that meditation is the way to go. Not easy though. R.I.P Mr M.J

On a more positive point, we still have Weird Al Yankovich so don't despair fans. Micheal will re-possess Weird Al very soon surely?

CNN, when will we get a reaction on the cable news from Weird Al on MJ passing?

Yours, wide awake!
Gerard in Tokyo

Larry   July 1st, 2009 7:44 pm ET

This isn't a surprise. Jackson's drug abuse is well known. It wouldn't surprise me when the tox report comes back if they don't find a wide variety of drugs in his system.

nigel   July 2nd, 2009 7:22 am ET

im wondering about the prescription drugs ,and everyone i see is saying ,micheal got drugs in LA ,but i was wondering about why he loved london so much and maybe thats why he lived abraod .the laws there about obtaining these drugs,did he import them from europe ????

Leave Your Comment


 

Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments will be posted.


American Morning

This week: Big Stars, Big Giving
Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved.

Don't Miss: A Soldier's Story
We're tracking three recruits from their final days as civilians through to deployment. It's an unprecedented look inside the life of a soldier. CNN's Jason Carroll reports.

Don't Miss: Counting Down Cady
coleman.cady.nasa.tzmos Watch American Morning each week as we follow NASA astronaut Cady Coleman on her year-long mission to space. Look here for blogs, photos and video updates from Cady as she documents the behind-the-scenes life of an astronaut.

More special series »

Contact us
Just Sayin'

CNN's Carol Costello reports on hot topics stirring debate across the country. Just Sayin' aims to be provocative and encourage thoughtful discussion. Join the conversation.

Wingnuts of the week

What's a Wingnut? Someone on the far-right wing or far-left wing of American politics. In a polarized two-party system, they have disproportionate influence and too often define the terms of debate. With "Wingnuts of the Week," commentator John Avlon tries to take that power back.

twitter
@amFIX: "We Listen: Your Comments - 12/21/09" - http://bit.ly/5TEP9Q
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:00:11 -0800
@amFIX: "Health Care for Christmas? " - http://bit.ly/5u7egp
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:25:44 -0800
@amFIX: "Blizzard of Patisanship" - http://bit.ly/6kLnXk
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:05:26 -0800
@amFIX: "Big Stars, Big Giving: Ben Stiller is 'StillerStrong'" - http://bit.ly/7ZcEdL
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:33:05 -0800
@amFIX: "Counting Down Cady: Cady-in-training " - http://bit.ly/6QxFDH
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:26:38 -0800
Ask Dr. Gupta
Anchors
Kiran Chetry
CNN American Morning host
Bio | Story archive
Kiran Chetry
John Roberts
CNN American Morning host
Bio | Story archive
John Roberts
Contributors
Jim Acosta
CNN AM correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Jim Acosta
Jason Carroll
CNN AM national correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Jason Carroll
Alina Cho
CNN AM national correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Alina Cho
Carol Costello
CNN AM correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Carol Costello
Sanjay Gupta
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Sanjay Gupta
Christine Romans
CNN AM business correspondent
Bio | Story archive
Christine Romans
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP