r/CHSrecovery

So I definitely know that I’m under the recovery phase of CHS. Morning nauseas are there and I need multiple hot showers to kinda die it down. I’ve been having yogurt, apple juice, orange juice, oatmeal, and fruits to get by the past 8 days. It’s almost 2 weeks of sobriety for me and I was wondering if I could start eating noodles. It’s been 6 days since I have vomitted but the symptoms are what keep me at home. I’m Korean and I do love my kimchi and ramen and I want to try to have it so bad today. I think my mental health has definitely deteriorated the past 5 days and my weight decreased by 15 pounds. I know people tell me it gets better, but these constant nausea and constant stays at home make me mentally frustrated. Any advice helps I’m just ranting… Also chs is fucking real. I went to the er and stayed there for 5 days. I went through hell and back and I’m still in hell with these symptoms. It’s affected my work, life, and just everything. I’m super sorry to my parents for the bipolar disorder I’ve had with this symptoms. I was a real dick to everyone treating them like my servants when I needed something. The pain is just unbearable for me to act like that. So just give up weed while you can.

As many of you are already aware, gut motility is slowed substantially while recovering from CHS. Foods that support gut motility generally work by one or more of these mechanisms:
increasing stool bulk and softness
stimulating the gastrocolic reflex
supporting the gut microbiome
improving hydration/electrolyte balance
providing gentle natural laxative effects
Since many of you are currently going through disimpaction/retraining, the most useful approach is usually gentle, consistent motility support rather than huge amounts of rough fibre all at once.

Best foods for gut motility
Hydrating fruits

These help soften stool and increase water content in the bowel.
Kiwifruit — one of the best studied fruits for constipation/motility
Pear
Prune
Papaya
Orange
Dragon fruit
Stewed apple

Kiwifruit is particularly interesting because it can improve motility without being as harsh as stimulant laxatives.

Soluble fibre foods
These create a soft gel-like stool that moves more comfortably through the bowel.
Oat
Chia seed
Flaxseed
Psyllium
Legume
Sweet potato
For someone with long-standing constipation, soluble fibre is often tolerated better than huge amounts of raw bran or coarse fibre.

Fermented foods (microbiome support)
These may help bowel regularity over time.
Kefir
Yogurt
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Miso
If you already tolerate kefir/probiotics reasonably well, it is helpful. If not go slowly avoid large amounts all at once.
Healthy fats that stimulate bowel movement
Fat naturally stimulates the gastrocolic reflex.
Avocado
Olive oil
Nut
Egg
A breakfast with some fat + fluid + warmth is often excellent for morning bowel activity.

Warm fluids & motility triggers
These can help “wake up” the bowel.
Warm water
Herbal tea
Ginger tea
Coffee (if tolerated)
Warm lemon water
Soup/broth

The majority of people who have had CHS have been chronically constipated for a long time, I was shocked to learn that you can still be retaining stool even if you are using your bowels daily 😳 The colon can stretch and stool higher up in the intestinal tract is retained, to start clearing this retained stool many people do better with:
softer cooked foods
soups/stews
oats
yoghurt/kefir
fruit
adequate salt/fluid intake

It’s all about moderate fibre instead of massive fibre loading. Sometimes excessive insoluble fibre during impaction can just create more bulk behind slow-moving stool.

Foods that commonly slow motility in some people

Not “bad,” but worth watching if symptoms worsen:
large amounts of cheese
highly processed snack foods
low-fluid high-protein diets
excessive takeaway/fried foods
very low-carb diets
large amounts of red meat without fibre/fluid
chronic under-eating

A practical motility-friendly breakfast

oats
chia/flax
kefir or yoghurt
kiwi or berries
enough fluid
warm drink alongside it
That combination gives:
soluble fibre
probiotics
hydration
healthy fats
gastrocolic stimulation - Warm fluids like herbal teas upon waking, sitting on the toilet and gently pushing within 20 minutes of meals regardless of feeling the need.

Quitting both cannabis and nicotine cold turkey at the same time is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

I’ve suffered from mental health issues my whole life and my family has a LONG history of addiction.

I currently do not have a diagnosis of CHS as symptoms have only started 10 days ago and only had 1 visit to the emergency room however my hope is to never receive a diagnosis and overcome this before it gets to the point of repeated episodes.

Even if that means I’ll never “truly” know if I had it or not.

My two cousins who have been dealing with CHS for over 5 years while not being able to quit.

This has given me so much motivation to prove to not only my self but my whole family that it is possible to overcome this horrible experience.

QUESTION:

One was able to quit for 2 weeks but claimed felt no difference and began smoking again.

I have read online that coffee contains cannabinoids and can trigger episodes (she works as a part time barista and drinks very strong coffee regularly.

Is it possible this is what caused her to feel no benefit during this time?

As currently i can say I already notice a huge difference.

THANK YOU:

I genuinely can’t thank this community and anyone who has replied enough living in the UK with potential early stages is very difficult.

Doctors are hugely miss informed (one today told me every cannabis smoker is in psychosis but in denial)

I think if I hadn’t informed my self so well quickly I could have headed down a dark path of miss diagnoses.