Over the weekend a BIG story broke about Lil Wayne .  . . that he was on the brink of death.  TMZ claimed he was in the hospital, hooked up to tubes, strapped down because of severe convulsing and was having his last rites read to him.  The nation was in shock!  Was the grammy awarding-winning, multi-platinum hip hop artist dying? 

It's unclear what caused all these rumors,  but supposedly, he went on a DRUG BINGE between hospitalizations, and naturally, that played a role in his condition.  Wayne's drug of choice was the cough syrup cocktail Sizzurp.  Wayne has previously admitted he's pretty much addicted to it.  Supposedly, he had his stomach pumped THREE TIMES to flush the codeine from his system . . . and is now, finally, in stable condition.

Rapper Mack Maine tweeted, "don't believe the nonsense about comas and tubes to breathe. . . that's false"

Other sources are saying he needs rehab but he's not close to death or anything.  He's fine and just coming down off the high.

On Friday, Wayne's rep said he was "doing well" . . . and Wayne himself Tweeted,  "I'm good everybody. Thanks for the prayers and love."

"He's good, just resting," said a close friend.