Was Michael Jackson’s Death Linked to His Pursuit of Sleep?

New information from a nutritionist who worked with Michael Jackson indicates that his death may have been related to his desperate need for sleep. Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who specializes in nutrition, told an AP reporter that Jackson had requested the drug Diprivan from her to help him sleep.

While Lee denied his requests because the drug is not intended for this use, she feared that he’d been able to secure the drug—which must be administered intravenously—from someone else. Apparently, she was right, as Diprivan was found in Jackson's home by investigators. Since this drug is intended for use in hospital settings for surgery, this finding is highly unusual.

According to Lee, someone from Jackson’s staff called her on Sunday, June 21 in a state of panic, relaying symptoms that indicated his nervous system had been impacted in some way. She recalls that he was complaining that one side of his body was very hot and the other very cold. She advised him to go to the hospital.

Four days later, Michael Jackson died. Of course, the cause of death can only be determined by the toxicology report and autopsy findings, still to come.

The drug Diprivan (propofol) reduces anxiety and promotes sleep and is used to relax patients before and after surgery.  After injection, the patient falls asleep very quickly. According to the FDA, heart function, blood pressure, and breathing should be monitored when someone is under the effects of this drug.

Risks associated with this drug include weak or shallow breathing and/or fast or slow heart rate.  The dosage recommendations on this drug are critical as overdosage can lead to death. In a 2008 study conducted by researchers at The Mayo Clinic, propofol was tied to cardiac arrest in some cases when used to treat patients with seizures. The Mayo Clinic also reported that propofol toxicity can occur even with brief exposure to the drug.

According to Howard LeWine, M.D., of Harvard Medical School and Medical Advisor to MSN Health, “The drug is only available in injectable form and in the hospital is used intravenously with very close monitoring before a procedure or surgery. It is used by anesthesiologists – the only [medical providers] I believe should be using the drug.” He adds, “As an internist, I have never used it. And have never seen any of my internal medicine colleagues use it.”

Whether Jackson’s death is tied to this drug remains to be seen. If he was experiencing difficulties sleeping, he's like many Americans who seem to be overwhelmed, stressed, and tired. As a population, our need for medical intervention for these symptoms is on the rise. Prescriptions used to treat anxiety, tension, and insomnia increased by nearly 50 percent from 2003 to 2004.

Are you feeling stressed and can’t sleep? Here are some ideas to help you relax and get the rest you need. 

• Finding Dreamland: 13 Insomnia Remedies
• 10 Tips for Better Sleep