Well, I have done all the research, studied and prepared myself for all the side effects of radiation and chemo that Bill might encounter but today, two weeks of radiation treatments and 3 weeks of chemo and exactly 2 weeks since Peg/port surgery, my husband is having terrible hiccups!

Even though Bill is eating by mouth very well, we are acclimating his body to canned supplements so, this AM, before he left for his radiation treatment, we poured 1 can thru his PEG tube. We used 60ccs of water before and after as instructed. This isn't the first can we have used and he has tolerated the supplement these past two weeks just fine. But, shortly thereafter, he started having convulsive type hiccups and they have continued on and off thruout the day. He tries to get still and they sometimes go away for a while, but they keep coming back.

Techs at the RO did not feel it was related to his treatment..didn't see the doc...I haven't called the MO. In the 30 years we have been married, I can't recall Bill ever having hiccups, so this is definitely out of the ordinary for him. Of course, it is Friday and I don't want him to spend the weekend with this!

Has anyone else had this problem?? Any suggestions??

Thanks, Deb

Hi Deb,

About two or three weeks into treatment my husband had issues with some hiccups and burping. His MO put him on a prescription acid reflux medication.

Prior to that time, he never experienced digestive issues. I don't know if this might be the issue with Bill, but it might be worth asking about.

As soon as Dan was on the medication, the hiccupping and burping subsided.

Deb: As you know, I am not a doctor; therefore, I am not dispensing medical advice. Additionally, I have no knowledge of Bill's medical condition or history.
That being said, I'll throw out this 'suggestion', from my late grandmother, which has always worked for me, my sons, and THEIR kids...
IF sugar is not a problem for Bill, place about a half teaspoon of sugar on a spoon and give it to him, all at once.
If this doesn't work, at least you haven't lost anything except for the sugar...Good luck!

Hi Deb,

My husband developed unrelenting hiccups during his radiation/amifostine regimen. The docs prescribed baclofen and it helped a lot. Might be worth a mention to Bill's doctors to see if they agree it is worth a try.

Good luck!
-Tricia

Thanks everyone for your input..all suggestions are appreciated. Bill is better so far this AM. He has had several cups of coffee and a bowl of cereal without the hiccups showing up. He finally eased off last night around 10:30 but I did notice when he made a bathroom trip the hiccups returned, then eased off again. So, I am cautiously optimistic that he is better.

Can this disease and treatment get any more cruel?? It seems to me, that even the most sadistic person could not wreak havoc like oral cancer (and its treatment regimen) does.

Thanks again, Deb

best way to get rid of hiccups is with a pencil,bite down on it and drink a glass of water. it really works my grandma told me when i was about 5 yrs old.i'm 54 and my kids and grand kids get rid of them this way.

lynn

Deb, I wish I could remember the name of the med they gave me for hiccups I got during chemo. If none of the various other methods work, there are definitely meds that can help with it - they worked for me.

I remember thinking...of all the symptoms from cancer treatment - hiccups???? It sure is annoying and frustrating when you can't get rid of them. Best wishes in getting rid of them.

-Steve J.

I had chronic hiccups during treatment and 2 times since. I take prescription Prilosec and that usually calms it down after a few days. None of the other stuff worked, sugar, blowing into a bag, holding your breath, etc. These hiccups are beyond garden variety hiccups and are in a class all of their own. I even tried a few codienes and 30mg of valium and that just gave me real drousy hiccups. Strangely enough they would stop while I was eating then resume afterwards - very wierd. Even wierder, I developed thrush a few weeks ago - I am almost 5 years out now and have good salivary function so go figure that one out.

I would get bad hiccups sometimes from the amifostine. Is your husband taking amifostine? In my case, they usually went away about the same time the last of the amifostine would wear off--maybe 5/6 hours after the injection. I don't have any good solutions for curig them, especially when undergoing radiation and chemo at the same time.

Hang in there
Nelie

Hi Guys,

No amifostine but I am relieved to hear that other folks have had problems. I was worried that it was related to his PEG tube and possible damage to his diaphragm..sure didn't want to have to redo that. We took the supplement feeding this AM a little slower in case that was the problem. So far no more hiccups since night before last...yea!

Gary, you are right...these are not normal hiccups...they are hiccups on steroids...just horrible.

Again thanks for all your input..this board is such a help when you feel helpless!

Deb