AMA: I was diagnosed with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome four days ago.
AMA: I was diagnosed with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome four days ago.
Hello all. Long-time smoker, 35, male. Anything and everything but edibles. Mostly legit. Some D8 in a pinch but nowhere near the majority.
For the last four months, about once every two weeks, I'll wake up, take a shower, walk into my living room, have a sip of water, and then run back into my bathroom, where I will vomit until the bile comes out and writhe on the floor, onto the bed, holding my stomach for 6-12 hours, screaming for God or Satan, whoever shows up first.
I've been in the hospital three times over the last month over it and only on the last visit was I asked if I used marijuana. There is nothing on any CT scan I've done, ultrasound, kidneys, liver, pancreas, appendix.
"Well I've never heard of this gobbledygook and I also have no idea how to search for stuff!"
Apparently, had you the genetic disposition, cannabinoids can bind to your stomach, and the sphincters to and from it, altering the timeframe it takes for your stomach to empty and the lagging or simply disabling entirely of the functions of the bottom of your esophagus until it's over. You'll be screaming in pain for around 8 hours. Buckle up.
Do I believe Cannabis is solely responsible?
The disease is rare and only shows up in people (usually men) who smoke daily for two or more years. I've been smoking daily for ten.
(Obligatory) Psyop?
If it were, I'd expect a little more than a matter-of-fact "quit and you'll be ok". Usually money or some type of group wants your attention from such things. I'm more leaning to this being a legitimate disease, and peers are kind-of agreeing on it. Multiple sources seem to be finding the same conclusions and I haven't met a Doctor yet who hasn't heard of it in some capacity.
I'm open to bribes, though.
I don't blame cannabis. I smoked it. It didn't jump in my mouth and light itself. I don't blame anyone else. I am unlucky, genetically speaking. You may never get it. You may never have a single symptom, or you might. If weed works for you, fantastic. It worked for me for years, until it wanted to kill me one morning, such is the diceroll of living.
Edit: I'll answer everyone after 4:30pm est. At work.
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ER nurse here. Yes, this is a real thing. Usually, the first symptom is a steadfast denial that cannabis is the cause, so props to you for acknowledging it is likely the cause of your pain nausea and emesis. It was tough to provide care for people twice a week who would refuse to believe cannabis was causing their symptoms. That said, it looks miserable so I was always bummed someone was going through it. It would often last longer than when they tried to quit too which feels a bit unfair and contributes to the denial. There is usually a distinct retching sound people make that would out them as CHS; it is not subtle. Two things that can help fairly reliably are 1) A hot shower and 2) capsaicin topical cream rubbed on the torso. Test the capsaicin cream on a small part of your forearm first to see if you are ok with it before you lather your chest. Something about that warming sensation made folks feel much better. YMMV. Best of luck to you and others that have CHS.
I wonder if a heating pad would work instead of capsaicin cream.
Anecdotally, yes, a heating pad helps, but not as much as a hot shower.