Heath Ledger has been found dead

[CarpeDiem]

On "Fox & Friends" this morning they showed a clip of Jack Nicholson when he was told of Heath's death. He was mad and said he had "warned him". I'm guessing maybe Heath asked him for pointers on how to play the Joker and how intense of an experience it would be to portray this character.

What he warned him about was Ambien. Jack went on to say that he almost drove off a cliff while taking the drug. He isn't a fan of it.

 

[kato]

What he warned him about was Ambien. Jack went on to say that he almost drove off a cliff while taking the drug. He isn't a fan of it.

Thanks for the clarification on that point.

 

[capps]

I too believe that Heath did not intentionally kill himself.As far as using street drugs,I don't know.You have to ask yourself,although there was no residue found on this $20,for what purpose would anyone have a rolled up $20 around?

In any event,he was a great actor,and died too young.

 

[bnhall]

I'm glad the rolled up $20 came back negative for drugs.

 

[Paladin]

It kind of makes you wonder what sort of people attach themselves to these movie stars and musicians. It seems wherever fame and money are, there's a giant pile of coke or herion on a platter right next to it.

 

[MrsMush99]

TMZ is steaming live today at the funeral home where Heath was brought last night. There is supposed to be a viewing today. I hope it doesn't get to crazy.

www.tmz.com

 

[Marthatex]

I think the main cause is pneumonia combined with pills.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium are prescribed for anxiety and also in cases of bi-polar disorder without psychotic features. Combined with Ambien, they are not fatal (aside for maybe large amounts).
The fact that this young man had pneumonia, and he probably wanted to sleep and took the pills, not realizing it would depress his respiratory system to the point of death. Depending on how bad his pneumonia was, even a double dose of what he normally took could have caused respiratory failure. Drugs work different for different individuals, and with pneumonia factored in, is never a good combination.

Wouldn't the autopsy yesterday have mentioned pneumonia, if that were a factor?

 

[Marthatex]

I think it is an accidental overdose of Ambien and either/or the Xanax and Valium.

I think so too.

 

[Beffie]

You have to ask yourself,although there was no residue found on this $20,for what purpose would anyone have a rolled up $20 around?

Not sure if this is true, but I read in the past few days (do not know where) but when you become addicted to Ambien and it does not work as good you can snort it to get a better reaction. Not sure if that has anything to do with this or if it is even true, but I wonder if that is what the rolled up 20 was for.

 

[panglossian]

I think the main cause is pneumonia combined with pills.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium are prescribed for anxiety and also in cases of bi-polar disorder without psychotic features. Combined with Ambien, they are not fatal (aside for maybe large amounts).
The fact that this young man had pneumonia, and he probably wanted to sleep and took the pills, not realizing it would depress his respiratory system to the point of death. Depending on how bad his pneumonia was, even a double dose of what he normally took could have caused respiratory failure. Drugs work different for different individuals, and with pneumonia factored in, is never a good combination.

You make valid points which I agree with.

 

[kato]

Wouldn't the autopsy yesterday have mentioned pneumonia, if that were a factor?

You would think they could see that right off the bat.

 

[Amraann]

I too believe that Heath did not intentionally kill himself.As far as using street drugs,I don't know.You have to ask yourself,although there was no residue found on this $20,for what purpose would anyone have a rolled up $20 around?

In any event,he was a great actor,and died too young.

It has been reported that Heath was a tad on the nervous side during interviews... I don't think its a stretch to assume he had other nervous habits..

Like fidgeting with things.. Maybe while on the phone..
I know people who do that.

 

[jilly]

Heath Ledger's death triggers net meltdown

http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/heat...rs-net-meltdown/2008/01/24/1201025052926.html

 

[Jen_in_Indy]

It has been reported that Heath was a tad on the nervous side during interviews... I don't think its a stretch to assume he had other nervous habits..

Like fidgeting with things.. Maybe while on the phone..
I know people who do that.

Thanks Amraann! I was trying to think of a reason (besides illegal drugs, which I'm really thinking didn't play a part in this) that there would be a rolled up twenty. That makes perfect sense as just yesterday, I was sitting here doing the same thing with a piece of paper.

 

[jilly]

Not sure if this is true, but I read in the past few days (do not know where) but when you become addicted to Ambien and it does not work as good you can snort it to get a better reaction. Not sure if that has anything to do with this or if it is even true, but I wonder if that is what the rolled up 20 was for.

You might be onto something Beffie. I found this:

Most people take Ambien orally, including most abusers of the drug. However, those suffering from Ambien addiction sometimes try snorting crushed pills or may “cook” them in water for an intravenous injection. When the dosage instructions aren’t followed properly, Ambien users can experience some rather disturbing side effects. Patients have reported hallucinations, severe confusion, allergic reaction, and abnormal behavior after taking the drug. If you don’t go to bed immediately after taking Ambien, temporary amnesia can also occur. Very large doses of Ambien, especially in combination with other sedative drugs, can be fatal.

http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Ambien_Addiction

 

[pedinurse]

I can't stand watching Entertainment Tonight. They spend more time bragging about how great they are and their 'exclusives' than they do reporting anything. Stop patting yourselves on the back every 30 seconds and just report the news.

DK - ME neither!!

 

[close_enough]

Hi Close!:blowkiss:
She called MKO because she knew they were friends and her number was programmed into his phone. MKO told her she'd send over her private security guards. The masseuse then realized Heath might be dead so called MKO again and then 911.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_en_mo/ledger_s_final_moments

thanks for the info, jilly :blowkiss:

 

[NewMommy09]

I think that Ambien overdose will be the final COD. But I wanted to share with you all a horrific experience I had recently that Heath's death reminded me of. Back in September 07, I began having what I believe are panic attacks. As I was born with a heart murmur, my mom asked me to have my heart looked at also, due to the "attacks" causing heart palpitations. I went to my Dr. for a full physical and had an EKG done. They found a short signal on my EKG and I was referred to have a Stress/Echo test done. I was also prescribed Celexa 10mg per day for anxiety. I started taking the med's and immediately developed very bad insomnia. I took the Celexa for only 1 week, and could only sleep about 2 hours a night during that week. On top of that, I had to have my stress/echo during this time, which is running on a treadmill at faster and faster speeds and higher inclines progressively. After a few days of this, I called my Dr. to let her know what I was experiencing. My Dr. refused to do anything for me (a different prescription etc.) unless I made another Dr's appt. I had already been off work 3 times that week for appointments, and could not afford to do this. My Dr. would only tell me that I should NOT stop taking the Celexa. This made me SOOOO angry. I was exhausted and thought I might collapse soon, I was experiencing what felt like a constant racing of my heart, I was a mess, literally. So I chose to stop taking the Celexa on my own advice, and am now looking for another Dr.
For 3 weeks after stopping the Celexa, I slept only 3 to 4 hours per night. I tried everything, over the counter sleep meds, lavendar baths, Theraflu, massages, nothing worked. I had bad RLS from the Celexa.

I really feel that Heath was experiencing something similar to this.

 

[KOOL LOOK]

When taken responsibly and as recommended Ambien is safe. Like all drugs it is not safe for every single person but for the majority of people it is a Godsend. Myself included.

I agree.....I have taken ambien on and off for years and haven't had any problems. It isn't as effective as it once was, but I would never increase my dose.

I appreciate your experience with this drug. But I have some personal experience watching others die from it. One being my mother in law, she had a brain stem stroke, was alert afterwards but couldn't speak, ambulance rushed her to hospital, her medical power of attorney, who thinks she's a doctor, that did need to be added ya'll, I promise. They shot her up with ambien and she never came back to us, all her body started running fever, onto organs shutting down and died. Bam. This woman was in fairly great condition prior.

She had just gotten home from the hair dresser and grocery store putting up her ketchup. I've also heard several rumors since about people having brain stem strokes after leaving the hair dresser. I think we may of had a thread around here one time.

Wasn't Daniel Smith on Ambien too? Ultimately though, my opinion is based on a revelation to be totally honest with everyone. I'm not against drugs either.

The results we've been given concerning Heath's autopsy, medical findings also could be a result of protecting his insurance policy in order to be in full force for his daughter Matilda. Also to console and protect the entire family. Which is okay by me, the family deserves the best at this time.

 

[close_enough]

You would think they could see that right off the bat.

Baden seemed to say the same thing last night on Greta...pneumonia would have been something fairly obvious at the autopsy...