Saturday, December 06, 2025
33.0°F

Van Dyke tweets for help with health issue

Lynn Elber | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 7 months AGO
by Lynn Elber
| April 20, 2013 9:00 PM

LOS ANGELES - Dick Van Dyke is seeing doctors for an undiagnosed health problem, and he's seeking advice online as well.

"My head bangs every time I lay down," the 87-year-old actor posted on his Twitter account. "I've had every test come back that I'm perfectly healthy. Anybody got any ideas?"

Bob Palmer, a spokesman for Van Dyke, said Thursday that he's undergoing tests for "cranial throbbing" that's causing him to lose sleep. The sensation occurs when Van Dyke lies down, and scans and other tests have yet to yield a diagnosis, Palmer said.

Van Dyke drew a number of responses to his tweet for help Wednesday, including questions about what's been done so far for the problem he described as stubborn.

"It has been going on for 7 years. I've had every test you can think of," he replied, including an MRI and spinal tap.

Van Dyke has a strong constitution and is otherwise OK, but the "fatigue factor has become acute," Palmer said. Until he receives a diagnosis and treatment plan he's been advised not to fly, and is resting at his Malibu home.

He was to accept an award next week from New York's 92nd Street Y but canceled the trip.

Van Dyke's credits include "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "Diagnosis Murder."

ARTICLES BY LYNN ELBER

Virus-shocked Hollywood gets break with streaming services
March 19, 2020 11:56 a.m.

Virus-shocked Hollywood gets break with streaming services

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sports are on hold, theaters are closed and so are amusement parks, a disaster-movie scenario that has Hollywood reeling. But Americans held captive at home by the coronavirus can turn to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and other streaming services, outliers in an entertainment industry brought to an unprecedented standstill.

Trebek reaches 1-year mark in cancer fight with hope, candor
March 4, 2020 3:22 p.m.

Trebek reaches 1-year mark in cancer fight with hope, candor

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Trebek marked his one-year battle against pancreatic cancer with candor about how hard it’s been and a vow to keep going.

Virus-shocked Hollywood gets break with streaming services
March 19, 2020 2:56 p.m.

Virus-shocked Hollywood gets break with streaming services

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sports are on hold, theaters are closed and so are amusement parks, a disaster-movie scenario that has Hollywood reeling. But Americans held captive at home by the coronavirus can turn to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and other streaming services, outliers in an entertainment industry brought to an unprecedented standstill.