Dick Van Dyke Has A Neurological Disorder

Dick Van Dyke had to cancel an appearance at a YMCA ceremony in New York City. He was supposed to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for “Bettering Humanity through Comedy” next week but cancelled because of a “yet-to-be diagnosed neurological disorder.”

Van Dyke took to Twitter to crowdsource a diagnosis. He tweeted, “My head bangs every time I lay down. I’ve had every test come back that I’m perfectly healthy. Anybody got any ideas?”

Several fans replied with suggestions about what might be wrong and multiple Twitter followers advised the actor to consult a neurologist.

“It has been going on for 7 years. I’ve had every test you can think of (CAT Scan, MRI, Spinal tap etc),” Van Dyke replied in response to questions. “Any advice?”

David Riley asked, “Is it like your heartbeat / pulse throbbing in your head?” Dick replied with an emphatic, “YES!!” He also told his followers he has very low blood pressure.

A few followers suggested that Dick make an appointment with a chiropractor, and he tweeted, “I don’t believe in them.”

Later Van Dyke tweeted to thank everyone for the advice.

A representative for Van Dyke told Entertainment Tonight that he was canceling commitments requiring air travel due to medical advice.

Last month, Marc Maron interviewed Dick Van Dyke on the popular podcast, WTF. Dick sounded completely on top of his game. He talked about growing up in Danville, Illinois and how he got into show business while serving in the military:

“It was kind of fate,” Van Dyke said. “I had been on the track team. I went for my sophomore year to get the doctor’s thing. He said, ‘you have a heart murmur I don’t want you doing track anymore.'”

A couple years later, the draft board didn’t find any evidence of a heart murmur. Dick joined the Air Force, but by then the war was winding down. They put him in entertainment where he did a radio show and performed for the USO.

That was 69 years ago. Dick Van Dyke has been in show business ever sense. He is 87-year-old and recently married his 40-year-old girlfriend.