Photo: TMZ which shows Dr. Metzger and MJ at Lupus LA's "Evening of Light, Love and Laughter" gala on October 1, 2003.

Well, I go to TMZ and what do I see but a photo of MJ and Dr. Allan L. Metzger, Rheumatologist, Lupus Specialist and member of Lupus LA’s Medical Board.  According to the article on TMZ, Michael Jackson was a patient of Dr. Metzger until 2002.  Two years ago a friend recommended I see Dr. Metzger to get a second opinion.

Some pretty interesting news came out over the weekend regarding Michael Jackson’s HIStory tour.  According to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, not only did Dr. Metzger accompany Michael on the tour, an anesthesiologist also accompanied Michael on the tour.  This was a bit disturbing to hear.  Dr. Gupta’s report also suggested this anesthesiologist had a pretty elaborate setup for the tour.

Back to the TMZ article:

Dr. Metzger is a lupus specialist — Michael Jackson reportedly had the disease. Dr. Metzger traveled with Jackson during the HIStory Tour in 1996.

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As for Michael, Dr. Metzger says, “I have not treated Michael Jackson for many years.” Metzger says he has talked to Jackson on the phone over the years, even giving him medical advice. As for whether Dr. Metzger prescribed meds for Jackson, he wouldn’t say: “I am not at liberty to discuss Michael’s medical care.” We asked if he ever prescribed meds to Michael using an alias. His response: “I have not treated him for ages.” Metzger said he last spoke with Michael in April. The doctor says he talked to Jackson about the tour, his children, nutrition and hydration.

Dr. Metzger added, “I have nothing to do with this tragedy with Michael. I have not prescribed any medication in relation to what happened to him.”

Typically, what is known affectionately as a Rheumy (for rheumatologist), is the first line doctor a patient with Lupus sees.  If your heart is involved you will have a cardiologist, if your kidneys are involved, a nephrologist, skin would require a dermatologist, and so on.  I hope Micheal didn’t stop seeing a rheumatologist altogether.  I hope he continued to see someone for his condition.  It would be disheartening to know he was self-medicating all of these years since he last saw Dr. Metzger.

Lupus LA offered condolences to the family of Michael Jackson on its website stating “The pop legend was a generous supporter of the mission of the Foundation’s West Coast division, Lupus LA, in serving the needs of people with lupus and their families in Los Angeles and across southern California by raising awareness, conducting advocacy and community outreach, and supporting novel lupus research on the national level.”  Yes Michael, thank you and you will be dearly missed.