Patient Stories: Patrick's Journey

This page documents the personal story of Patrick Herold (age 62, Decatur, GA), the founder of the [[page-3191877|ClearCHS Foundation]].

Diagnostic Challenges

• Medical Mystery: Patrick experienced 2.5 years of severe gastrointestinal issues, undergoing extensive testing (endoscopies, breath tests, MRIs, CT scans) without any answers.
• Atypical Presentation: Compulsive hot showering is a well-known hallmark symptom of [[cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome|CHS]]. Because Patrick did not experience this symptom, his diagnosis was significantly delayed.

Recovery and Foundation

• Cannabis Cessation: After stopping cannabis use (which he had used for over a decade), his symptoms improved within 4 to 5 days. A brief re-trial prompted immediate nausea, confirming [[cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome|CHS]] as the cause.
• Motivation: The prolonged suffering, financial cost, and diagnostic delay motivated Patrick to establish the ClearCHS Foundation to provide patients with immediate resources.