Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

I almost started a new post on this topic because things in our home have ramped up dramatically as regards the cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. First and importantly, my son recently stopped smoking pot as a personal decision to make changes in his life. Until recently he radically opposed any inference that marijuana could be bad for anyone. Now he says he cannot believe how clear headed he feels and how many things are improving for him across the board. This is huge in light of the fact that my 15 year old grandson has continued the use of marijuana since the last emergency room visit with all the same gastric symptoms each time and each time with a high thc content in his system. He had mood swings that were difficult to explain without suspecting drugs but until his dad changed there were no adults in my grandson's life who were willing to take a serious look at the truth.
My grandson was just taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was in the ER two days ago with all the same symptoms of throwing up, feeling very sick in his stomach, etc. All vitals looked good. Tested high for use of marijuana. BUT, this time his dad listened and he is alarmed as am I at the impact on my grandson's body. We have been giving him pedialyte and phenegran and, with the exception of small bits of time, he is still throwing up. Dry heaving throwing up.
It turns out he was not simply smoking pot but he was using a vape pin called "cake" which has extremely high THC content and God only knows what else in it.
So, I know not all people will have these symptoms but I cannot help but wonder how many people in the United States have no idea what is causing them severe vomiting, etc. The information on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is right on as regards my grandson's symptoms but is rarely diagnosed. I also suspect, with legalization and the introduction of the vape pens, high popularity of cbd, etc. that many people are mixing and matching having no idea there may be physical consequences and they may be suffering a great deal. Sorry, I am on my soapbox, but I have been uneducated regarding the high dosage of thc in some products. The vape my grandson did has extremely high dosages, comes from China and apparently there are warnings on the internet and maybe even on the product regarding the danger of the product.
I urge anyone with loved ones or even yourself who is smoking dope or dope vapes or whatever the heck is out there to get to an ER if you are throwing up and cannot seem to stop and if all other vital signs are o.k. for now. Read up on cannabinoid hypermesis syndrome with an open mind.. Oh yeah. they said people with the syndrome will take frequent hot showers because it soothes them for a time. Guess what? My grandson has been showering far more frequently than normal and saying it makes him feel better.
I am signing off and heading for the hospital. I cannot go in but I can be in the parking lot should they need me. I am over 30 years clean and sober and I hate drugs with every fiber in my being..

Jump to this post

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?

Jump to this 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!

Jump to this 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!

Jump to this post