Have you ever had hiccups with or after chemotherapy?

Yes, I do now and I’ve been wondering if they are hiccups or burbs. Just finished chemo last week and they have been bothering me,especially when I lie down, which I do often as my back hurts. They started as the chemo got postponed because of low blood counts. I finally had to have a transfusion. I also have a hernia from the earlier ovarian surgery and I can hear my stomach gurgle when I lie down.

Hi Colleen,
I was more than happy to respond to the survey, but I am curious as to why this question is being asked. I am involved in several ongoing studies (genetic, etc) and I am always interested in any information that may be available as a result. As a scientist by training (certainly not in this area of research), I am very involved in studying the etiology of my disease which is an LCOH (consequently less funded/researched) for women with whom I share this rare condition (I've met a number of women online). Thank you for your ongoing efforts to support this community of women with OC.

Colleen- It's funny that you should ask this because I get hiccups everyday since my last SBRT treatment. Does this apply to the survey? It was 2 yrs ago

@susu2 @odette @merpreb, thanks for sharing your experiences.

Susu, technically speaking hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. Hiccups are usually repetitive. Belching or burping (eructation) is the voluntary or involuntary, sometimes noisy release of air (gas) from the stomach or esophagus through the mouth. Knowing that distinction, can you tell if you're experiencing burps or hiccups?

Merry, that's what we are trying to find out -- whether hiccups may be related to treatment and if yes, which treatments?

Odette, good question. On the grand scale of cancer treatment side effects, we want to find out if hiccups are a side effect and if yes, how they affect daily living. This study will help us understand if further research is necessary to understand how patients manage this side effect if it is having a negative impact on quality of life.

I get them after I have been under general anesthetic.

I instantly finished the survey. Oh my gosh how did you know. What a business it is, to get the hiccups all the time. I am years past treatment and I still get them like crazy although much less. The oxygen at night has almost eliminated the worst problem of lack of sleep and having to go sleep in a chair so I did not keep waking my husband. That was a huge blessing. Now I mostly get them after the first drink of water or liquid or after the first bite of food. Also acid reducer that reduces the amount of acid coming up from my stomach seems to help.

@auntieoakley- Very rarely do I get them like you just described. This must be so frightening for you. It is for me when it's bad. What has your doctor said about it? Have you had any chest surgery? You've had a very rough time with your husband and sleep is so important, I can't imagine how you did it?
How is he now?

I had multiple breast surgeries with the breast cancer, also chemo and radiation, and hormone therapy. No actual chest surgeries. My doctors just shook their heads like I was joking when I told them I got the hiccups all the time, what did your doctors say? There is a funny story here, my husband said he would dream he was driving over speed bumps before he woke up. About 5 years ago I had to be in the hospital and they said when I relax or sleep my oxygen levels drop and they prescribed an oxygen concentrator at night, I don’t know why but it stopped them at night and I was able to sleep in my bed again. How is it going for you now? My husband is doing good, he is pretty tired but still able to enjoy his life.

I responded "no" to the survey as I rarely have hiccups and I did not have them during my treatment. As recommended by friends who had undergone cancer treatment, I kept a journal for a year following my initial diagnosis. I was very specific about not only physical symptoms but psychological symptoms as well. It was actually quite helpful to record my thoughts and feelings during this time.

@auntieoakley, that is funny that you're husband said he dreamed of going over speedbumps because in his light sleep he heard your hiccups. You have a great sense of humor. Did you or do you ever experience hiccups during the day or was it primarily at night (and presumably due to low oxygen levels)?

@odette, I appreciate hearing from the "no" side as well. I would like to hear more about your journal and symptom tracking. Would you mind starting a new discussion dedicated to the topic? It would be great advice for others and then we can also hear from members if and how they tracked their symptoms.
Here's how to start a new discussion:
1. Go to the Cancer group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/
2. Click START A DISCUSSION.
3. Enter a title. For example, "Keeping a Symptom Tracking Journal" or "Did you keep track of your symptoms during cancer treatment?"
4. Write your message.
5. Click POST DISCUSSION.