Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
My 15 year old grandson was given a diagnosis of possible cannabinol hyperemesis syndrome after three trips to the emergency room with strong abdominal pain and throwing up. He had to have fluids, etc. He felt better but continued with symptoms for about a week? Several weeks later the same process happened.
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I recently started working to get off cannabis edibles for sleep after learning about this syndrome. It's honestly not very well known yet. The dehydration and stress on the kidneys can be life threatening. I would really suggest you try to get that message home to your grandson somehow. There are groups out there that can help him get off cannabis and stay off. One thing I would also suggest is seeing a doctor about the medication gabapentin. There are studies that show it helps people who are quitting a variety of addictive substances, from alcohol to pot.
Hello @anncgrl
I appreciate your update and I'm sorry to hear that your grandson is still using and is still suffering from the effects. As you have been sober for over 30 years, you must be especially concerned about his well-being.
If there is good news to be found, it would be that your son is now free from the effects of marijuana. He can at least set the tone in his family and perhaps he can eventually influence your grandson.
Will you post again and let me know how your grandson is doing after this most recent hospitalization?
He is on the mend. I have learned a lot and have a long post in mind. I will clear things up in a day or two. I am still processing the past 5 or 6 days. Thank you for your post.
Update: Sadly I do not have good news regarding my grandson. Although he denies it I believe he is still using. Forgive me if I repeat myself but I do not care to go back and read all the stuff I have shared on this to date.
Micah is 15 and has probably been using far longer than I believed at one point. It is easy, in hindsight, to see lots of red flags. He has plenty of challenges in his life as it is and I played off questionable behaviors as related to child of a divorce, the pandemic, being 15, etc. Also, I do not have custody and have very little input into how Micah is raised. I am given plenty of freedom to love him as his grandmother and believe me I appreciate it.
Long story short, he is back living with his mom. My son and my grandson were constantly fighting and we were, at this point, not trusting Micah and constantly in fear for his life given the drugs that are available to him. He is a very angry young man. I am dusting off my al-anon skills and taking a deep breath for the long haul. Detaching with love is incredibly difficult and sucks. It is, however, my responsibility to do the right thing and resist the urge to baby and coddle Micah.
Point of information: we believe the main drug in Micah's life lately is vape pins with Delta 8 and/or Delta 9 as the name of the vape. Reading about this stuff, which is perfectly legal and sold in vape stores, will shock you. I encourage you read about vape pens and about gummies, etc. There is little or no attention paid to the ingredients of these items. The potential for literally anything to be in them exists.
I am well familiar with the feeling gripping me now. I am in recovery for years not and I get that none of us can force my grandson or anyone else to walk away from drugs and alcohol .I pray. I love him and I am actively choosing to step back and let his parents make decisions and plans without my input. I need lots of tape for my mouth. Thanks for listening!
Such a tough decision to have to make, Ann. It is clear that you love him.
Very sorry to hear about your grandson your but if he is not in therapy or maybe an inpatient program for his emotional issues he will not get better. The vaping is only an outlet and the hyperemesis may or may not be a result of vaping and will most likely cease if he quits. But his mental health is more important and in need of immediate help. As you are aware you must act at arms length as a grandparent with no rights. I have a friend who is going thru the same thing currently with her grandson and granddaughter but it’s meth, not vaping.