Red Hot Chili Peppers' Kiedis Has Kidney Trouble?

[okarol]

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Kiedis Has Kidney Trouble?

Today 12:44 PM PST by Josh Grossberg

Anthony Kiedis' scar tissue isn't just a song. Turns out, it's a real-life medical drama, too.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman had a bit of a health scare this past summer when his kidneys came close to failing, prompting him to seek medical attention.

The New York Daily News quoted sources close to Kiedis as saying years of partying and heavy drug use had caught up with the rocker—to the point where he was forced to pay several visits to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for kidney treatment.

"Anthony's health was pretty bleak," one insider told the paper. "Organ failure was a possibility. There was talk of how to get him on a transplant list, to cover all the bases, but that opened up a whole new can of worms because people with histories of drug and alcohol abuse are less likely to receive the organs they need."

Kiedis, 46, has opened up over the years about his struggles with drug addiction, whether through songs such as the Peppers' 1991 hit "Under the Bridge" or in 2004's aptly titled memoir Scar Tissue, in which he discussed getting high on the streets of L.A. and essentially living the junkie life. He's reportedly been clean since 2000, become a full-fledged vegetarian and taken up yoga.

Since the singer's purported hospital stints this summer at Cedars-Sinai, another pal told the Daily News the "general consensus is that the treatments helped, and he's getting better."

A spokesman for Kiedis could not be reached for comment, but the crooner's camp has previously smacked down the story.

Kiedis' early struggles with substance abuse are expected to be dealt with on the small screen however as HBO is developing Scar Tissue, a TV series about his childhood growing up with a drug-dealing dad and their move from Michigan to California.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, meanwhile, are taking a hiatus from touring after the release of their latest album, Stadium Arcadium, though bass player Flea is planning on joining Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones guitarist  Ron Wood for a reunion of '70s band Faces.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b73617_peppers_kiedis_has_kidney_trouble.html

[Kitsune]

And if this were just some ex-junkie whose kidneys were failing, no one would care, but since he's famous, we're all expected to cry in our Cheerios? I don't think so. I've been sitting on this d*** machine since 2007 due to no fault of my own. This guy drugged and drank himself into this situation, so I can't say I feel sorry for him.

Let this guy have to sit in a dialysis chair like every other ex-junkie, that's my view.

[boxman55]

Well the story says he has been clean since 2000 I give him a lot of credit for that. I personally don't and wouldn't wish kidney failure on anyone. no matter how contracted. He brings music into this world while he struggled and now while he is clean...Boxman

[kidney4traci]

I agree with Boxman, give the man cred for being clean for eight years!

[KT0930]

My problem with the article is this line right here...

Since the singer's purported hospital stints this summer at Cedars-Sinai, another pal told the Daily News the "general consensus is that the treatments helped, and he's getting better."

either he's getting some highly experimental treatment that I'm not aware of, or the author of the article didn't get their facts straight...this simply leads to more people asking those undergoing dialysis, "Are you cured yet?".

I love their music, I just wish he had more to say in the article in order to bring awareness to the fact that it's not just junkies and former junkies who end up with this horrible disease.

[boxman55]

We should contact the writer and also get a hold of Kiedis and have the Peppers do a benefit for maybe IHD or NKF or me  ...Boxman

[jessup]

 

Well the story says he has been clean since 2000 I give him a lot of credit for that. I personally don't and wouldn't wish kidney failure on anyone. no matter how contracted. He brings music into this world while he struggled and know while he is clean...Boxman

[Wallyz]

I think it was genetic, as he was singing about it in the early 90's:

"Give it Away" from BloodSugarSexMagik
What I got youve got to give it to your mamma
What I got youve got to give it to your pappa
What I got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

Obviously he's talking about a genetic predisposition, and with the reference in the last line to fluid intake restriction, I think it's obvious that he was referring to kidney failure.

[Chris]

And if this were just some ex-junkie whose kidneys were failing, no one would care, but since he's famous, we're all expected to cry in our Cheerios? I don't think so. I've been sitting on this d*** machine since 2007 due to no fault of my own. This guy drugged and drank himself into this situation, so I can't say I feel sorry for him.

Let this guy have to sit in a dialysis chair like every other ex-junkie, that's my view.

I do have to agree with this statement. If he wasn't famous, no one would give two........ thoughts about it.

While he may have been clean for 8 years, I would still have some doubts though and have him go thru a program put on by the transplant hospitals other department to clear him for a transplant, live or deceased donor. Make him earn it a little harder.

I'm just sick of the so called stars we are suppose to look up to get the easy way out of medical, legal, traffic, or decency.

I also agree that the writer needs to clarify the story, false hopes or information is not necessary. Let the writer sit in the chair also!

[Kitsune]

Chris,

You hit the needle right on the head. This guy should have to work for his kidney like we all have to. Fame should not exempt you from standards and rules. I'm not exempt and you weren't exempt from the rules, why should he be?

By the way, have you ever read any books by Henry Rollins, they'd be right up your alley.

[okarol]

If he has acute kidney failure he could have had short-term dialysis to help recover function, as opposed to chronic kidney failure where dialysis is continuous.

I read his biography. The lyrics below refer to AA and the idea that in order to stay sober you need to work with newcomers (the way to keep sobriety is by giving it away.)

I think it was genetic, as he was singing about it in the early 90's:

"Give it Away" from BloodSugarSexMagik
What I got youve got to give it to your mamma
What I got youve got to give it to your pappa
What I got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

Obviously he's talking about a genetic predisposition, and with the reference in the last line to fluid intake restriction, I think it's obvious that he was referring to kidney failure.

[Wallyz]

I know, I should have put a smiley there.

Mrs. Wally and I are really big fans.

[kidney4traci]

Made me laugh WallyZ!!