The Cause of Elvis' Decline and Death

[elvisjock]

I think the 350 lbs is a typing error (whenever it might have occured first). 250 lbs could be realistic.

First time it appeared was in the book, Down at the End of Lonely Street. The authors' source document may have been inaccurate. Still, it was repeated by Dr. Davis. I can't imagine where he got that from. Elvis was clearly not anywhere near 350 pounds.

[charro1971]

Interesting how serious many think Elvis' head injury in 1967 just before filming Clambake was... and yet this is hardly ever mentioned.

[rlj4ep]

Thank you G.I. Blues for posting this. It was new material for me and I appreciate the information. While Elvis' appearance changed swiftly, I simply cannot imagine that he ever tipped the scale at 350 pounds. I saw him in June 1976 and May 1977 and he did not appear to be 350 pounds.

rlj

[elvis-fan]

The real decline began in 1971, when Elvis was diagnosed with secondary glaucoma. It's a serious disease.

No it isn't...

[Xaykev]

What is shocking is that people here (and therefore huge Elvis fans) actually believe that Elvis weight was 350 punds.

[roustabout2014]

Well in EIC his weight was around say 240-50? Can we agree on that? OK, so if EP did put weight on in the next 7 weeks then its possible he could have been up towards 300. you only have to look at Pittsburgh 76 to Feb 77 on tour to see how much he could change in a short space of time. But yeah, 350 is a bit of a stretch.

[roustabout2014]

The real decline began in 1971, when Elvis was diagnosed with secondary glaucoma. It's a serious disease.

No it isn't...

My Dad has it and its not pleasant. Can lead to blindness and he requires treatment daily.

[dannyboy8377]

WOW!!! Very interesting article, thank you for sharing!

[DEH]

Elvis was nowhere near 350 lbs. I guess some can't judge weight. Some of u would lose at the carnival. I have a friend who is about 280lbs and he is heavier than Elvis was and looks heavier. Elvis was only overweight around his stomach. he had a middle aged guy stomach. his weight has been blown out of proportion. anything else was bloat from medication that came and went.

[tupelo_boy]

Interesting theory but... I doubt it. For the RTS Brigade read: "Look everyone it wasn't Elvis' fault. Hoorah!"

Geoff

[eligain]

Elvis was nowhere near 350 lbs. I guess some can't judge weight. Some of u would lose at the carnival. I have a friend who is about 280lbs and he is heavier than Elvis was and looks heavier. Elvis was only overweight around his stomach. he had a middle aged guy stomach. his weight has been blown out of proportion. anything else was bloat from medication that came and went.

I would say Elvis fluctuated between 210 and 235 in 77. A lot of that weight was bloat from water. The jumpsuits accentuated his weight and made him look fatter than he really was. The worst choice was wearing something tight and white. He smartly moved to dark 2 piece suits when he first gained weight. Why he didn't stick with that is still a mystery.

[DGRYAN1977]

Multiple overdoses?
I guess I haven't read the correct books.

Can someone shed some light on these for me?

Thank you

[rlj4ep]

I wonder if we all took mental health issues seriously if there would be such caustic words against a man who was obviously "sick" --- mental health illness is crippling, and if left untreated, will disable a person and eventually destroy them---just like any other "disease" /// Yet no one criticizes (and shouldn't criticize) those with various kinds of diseases.... yet it seems to be almost a joyful sport to constantly criticize and condemn Elvis in those later years---and that coming from those who claim to be his loyal fans. I'm not talking about honestly reporting the truth or the reality of 1976, 1977, and probably many years before. Just the unkind, seemingly uncaring comments which would be hurtful to Elvis if he were to read them.

I wish Elvis had taken better care of himself and received treatment from respectable persons in the medical community..., while not excusing away his responsibility in supervising his health, much wasn't known back then, and then you factor in how deceiving mental issues are with those he surrounded himself with, it's a real wonder he didn't leave us sooner. While I know the "truth" and the "reality," and will not explain away those later years, yet I am moved with sadness and compassion for him, just like I am anyone suffering from mental illness.

rlj

[elvisjock]

I wonder if we all took mental health issues seriously if there would be such caustic words against a man who was obviously "sick" --- mental health illness is crippling, and if left untreated, will disable a person and eventually destroy them---just like any other "disease" /// Yet no one criticizes (and shouldn't criticize) those with various kinds of diseases.... yet it seems to be almost a joyful sport to constantly criticize and condemn Elvis in those later years---and that coming from those who claim to be his loyal fans. I'm not talking about honestly reporting the truth or the reality of 1976, 1977, and probably many years before. Just the unkind, seemingly uncaring comments which would be hurtful to Elvis if he were to read them.

I wish Elvis had taken better care of himself and received treatment from respectable persons in the medical community..., while not excusing away his responsibility in supervising his health, much wasn't known back then, and then you factor in how deceiving mental issues are with those he surrounded himself with, it's a real wonder he didn't leave us sooner. While I know the "truth" and the "reality," and will not explain away those later years, yet I am moved with sadness and compassion for him, just like I am anyone suffering from mental illness.

Amen.
rlj

[Joe Car]

I wonder if we all took mental health issues seriously if there would be such caustic words against a man who was obviously "sick" --- mental health illness is crippling, and if left untreated, will disable a person and eventually destroy them---just like any other "disease" /// Yet no one criticizes (and shouldn't criticize) those with various kinds of diseases.... yet it seems to be almost a joyful sport to constantly criticize and condemn Elvis in those later years---and that coming from those who claim to be his loyal fans. I'm not talking about honestly reporting the truth or the reality of 1976, 1977, and probably many years before. Just the unkind, seemingly uncaring comments which would be hurtful to Elvis if he were to read them.

I wish Elvis had taken better care of himself and received treatment from respectable persons in the medical community..., while not excusing away his responsibility in supervising his health, much wasn't known back then, and then you factor in how deceiving mental issues are with those he surrounded himself with, it's a real wonder he didn't leave us sooner. While I know the "truth" and the "reality," and will not explain away those later years, yet I am moved with sadness and compassion for him, just like I am anyone suffering from mental illness.

Amen.
rlj

Well said!!

[memphismemories]

The real decline began in 1971, when Elvis was diagnosed with secondary glaucoma. It's a serious disease.

No it isn't...

Yes it is , it can also lead to macular ( detached retna )

[memphismemories]

What is shocking is that people here (and therefore huge Elvis fans) actually believe that Elvis weight was 350 punds.

Not Me

[memphismemories]

I wonder if we all took mental health issues seriously if there would be such caustic words against a man who was obviously "sick" --- mental health illness is crippling, and if left untreated, will disable a person and eventually destroy them---just like any other "disease" /// Yet no one criticizes (and shouldn't criticize) those with various kinds of diseases.... yet it seems to be almost a joyful sport to constantly criticize and condemn Elvis in those later years---and that coming from those who claim to be his loyal fans. I'm not talking about honestly reporting the truth or the reality of 1976, 1977, and probably many years before. Just the unkind, seemingly uncaring comments which would be hurtful to Elvis if he were to read them.

I wish Elvis had taken better care of himself and received treatment from respectable persons in the medical community..., while not excusing away his responsibility in supervising his health, much wasn't known back then, and then you factor in how deceiving mental issues are with those he surrounded himself with, it's a real wonder he didn't leave us sooner. While I know the "truth" and the "reality," and will not explain away those later years, yet I am moved with sadness and compassion for him, just like I am anyone suffering from mental illness.

Amen.
rlj

Well said!!

Agee & depression is one of many forms of mentall illness . with that said i have a question
I have the DVD & Book by Charlie Hodge , who tells Dr Nick came out and told Vernon and Charlie Elvis had Bone Cancer and thats why he was so sore and achy all the time. I do know Cancer can bloat you ,But my question is has anyone heard of the Bone Cancer before in Elvis ?

[vbgt]

Certainly an in depth report, very interesting. However, I do not believe Elvis weighed 350 pounds at the time of his death, but I guess we'll truly never know for sure. I'd rather keep the 250 lb. number that I read.

No way he was 350 lb.s at anytime in his life. That's huge and Elvis, while overweight was never that big.

[vbgt]

https://cdn.ruled.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/before-243x300.png

This guy weighed 350 lb.s and he's 6'4' tall. He still looks bigger than Elvis at his worst. Imagine if he were 4' shorter and weighed the same.

[BrianTCB]

Aren't we neglecting the obvious question?

1. Why has the dentist not been prosecuted or at least questioned extensively under oath for wrongful death due to codeine toxicity?
2. He claims that he never gave Elvis anything on August 15, 1977. I'm not so sure this is true.

From the interview:

Q : Did Elvis still not take anesthetics that night?
A : No, it was just a routine visit, a cleaning and a check up, that was all.

https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/interview-lester-hoffman.shtml

[fn2drive]

He was a recidivist drug addict addicted to morphin, heroin and pills of all varieties. Simple- get clean or get dead. Las Vegas began the slide in ernest and when his wife left him for another man -a real man in Elvis mind- his fear, loathing and self disgust that she would share all his fetishes and sexual piccadillos catapulted him to a place in which the only relief was found in an opioid blissful haze. The man created the myth and the myth killed the man.

[brian]

Aren't we neglecting the obvious question?

1. Why has the dentist not been prosecuted or at least questioned extensively under oath for wrongful death due to codeine toxicity?
2. He claims that he never gave Elvis anything on August 15, 1977. I'm not so sure this is true.

He didn't have anything to do with Elvis' death and there was no evidence. You'll notice that there weren't any doctors that got into trouble over Elvis' death. Dr. Nick had his license suspended for three months for over prescribing pills for Elvis and a lot of other patients but he got it back. He lost his license years later for continuing to over prescribe pills for patients. The other doctors that were giving pills to Elvis didn't get in any kind of trouble as far as I know. Dr.Nick was investigated because he was Elvis' primary doctor. He got a slap on the wrist.

[elvis-fan]

He was a recidivist drug addict addicted to morphin, heroin and pills of all varieties. Simple- get clean or get dead. Las Vegas began the slide in ernest and when his wife left him for another man -a real man in Elvis mind- his fear, loathing and self disgust that she would share all his fetishes and sexual piccadillos catapulted him to a place in which the only relief was found in an opioid blissful haze. The man created the myth and the myth killed the man.

[fn2drive]

He was a recidivist drug addict addicted to morphin, heroin and pills of all varieties. Simple- get clean or get dead. Las Vegas began the slide in ernest and when his wife left him for another man -a real man in Elvis mind- his fear, loathing and self disgust that she would share all his fetishes and sexual piccadillos catapulted him to a place in which the only relief was found in an opioid blissful haze. The man created the myth and the myth killed the man.

I stand corrected. He died because he was so kind that he could no longer carry the weight of the world on his soldiers. His heart was just that big.