Have you ever had hiccups with or after chemotherapy?

Honestly, the hiccups have been devastating. However, the cancer with the Keytruda is life debilitating. The side effects and quality of life has changed him forever. He told me if he would have known this, he would not have taken Keytruda. The side effect I doubt will ever go away. That’s if he is cancer free after 2 yrs of Keytruda. That’s as long as he can be on it. No one tells him anything. No one answers his questions. The only answer he gets is everyone is different. That’s a ridiculous answer when Mayo is basically a research hospital

Unfortunately, “I don’t know” is never a popular answer to give or to receive. I did just read an Article about a guy who had hiccups continuously for 3 years and after essentially no answers and searching for 3 years. A doctor in Japan found a small benign tumor in his brain stem that was not found on CT scan in the US. The nuerosurgeon who did his surgery in London said that if it is continuous it is in the stomach or in the brain. If it isn’t in the stomach, get the MRI. I have hiccups a LOT. But not continuously, I have had this for years, many times a day and night but it rarely goes on and on for days.

Yah all that has been ruled out more than once with different docs in different States including Mayo

So………….. back to the “I don’t know”. His quest continues.

He is very unhappy. He feels this is not him anymore. He is 6,4”, use to weigh 240 lbs with maybe 8-10% body fat, look Lee like Superman, ate the perfect diet, no fast food, very rarely anything fried. 34 “ waist. Now he’s under 200 lbs. very weak, Balance is so bad he can’t talk to u standing up as he needs all his strength to concentrate standing. He has all the bad side effects from the radiation, cisplatin, and now Keytruda. He was told he needs to finish out his treatment which in September in one more year. I can tell you right now, I don’t see him making it. You can’t have diarrhea for 5 months.
Again, when someone is basically this bad your going to tell me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel?
You doctors that act like he’s the first person they’ve dealt with with such bad balance.
I grew up in MN, Mayo in Rochester is fabulous. My dad had cancer, the doctors were straight up honest with us. My aunt had a rare blood disease and in the long run ended up with another.The doctors again were honest with us. Same with my mom.
The one thing I’m not afraid of is dying. What I am angry about is them not being honest with his cancer condition. He could be spending his days doing whatever and spending quality time with those he would like to see. Instead he’s on this pretend ride. I guess it’s about the money, cause his quality of life sucks. Truth sets you free. And if by a miracle from God you get more time, well I call that a Blessing. I’ve read his chances of survival rate. They know and they should tell him. Many people don’t get their ducks in order cause they think they are cured in 2 yrs after their ofc of Keytruda. Well, I’m pretty sure with the thousands and things of patients.. they know the answer. Cause I do. Giving him a choice now, is better than finding out you went through all this misery for nothing.. but you helped their case study. That’s just not cool to me.
And for docs when a patient and family want to know, your job is not to brush them off and give them false hope. Can again Miracles can happen, but getting the truth of your outcome changes us a priority.
He could be one of the 20-30% to survive. But that should come from his doctor. They know what stage he’s in. When they do a pet scan and there’s a lil flicker… it’s not attached to a limp nodes. Is that cancer trying to break thru? Then it goes dark.. it’s still there and showing as something but now it’s dark. What is that? Why didnt it dissolve? They know. They know exactly. That’s why I’m frustrated. A great doctor doesn’t use the excuse and everyone is different. Because they know the studies, they have the answers. So who’s benefitting in the long run when your quality life is getting worse and worse? Their case studies?
I grew up with many many cousins. Many died of accidents etc. I know all about death and taking care of family members and a friend. He can’t make a decision cause they aren’t being real so he can. He’s miserable. I’m not a happy camper as I see exactly what’s happening.
One day these doctors that don’t tell the patients the truth and they already know will be facing God one day. That I know. Sorry I went on and on, but I am beside myself, and I think this is absolutely ridiculous and so not right in any way, shape, or form.

He is very unhappy. He feels this is not him anymore. He is 6,4”, use to weigh 240 lbs with maybe 8-10% body fat, look Lee like Superman, ate the perfect diet, no fast food, very rarely anything fried. 34 “ waist. Now he’s under 200 lbs. very weak, Balance is so bad he can’t talk to u standing up as he needs all his strength to concentrate standing. He has all the bad side effects from the radiation, cisplatin, and now Keytruda. He was told he needs to finish out his treatment which in September in one more year. I can tell you right now, I don’t see him making it. You can’t have diarrhea for 5 months.
Again, when someone is basically this bad your going to tell me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel?
You doctors that act like he’s the first person they’ve dealt with with such bad balance.
I grew up in MN, Mayo in Rochester is fabulous. My dad had cancer, the doctors were straight up honest with us. My aunt had a rare blood disease and in the long run ended up with another.The doctors again were honest with us. Same with my mom.
The one thing I’m not afraid of is dying. What I am angry about is them not being honest with his cancer condition. He could be spending his days doing whatever and spending quality time with those he would like to see. Instead he’s on this pretend ride. I guess it’s about the money, cause his quality of life sucks. Truth sets you free. And if by a miracle from God you get more time, well I call that a Blessing. I’ve read his chances of survival rate. They know and they should tell him. Many people don’t get their ducks in order cause they think they are cured in 2 yrs after their ofc of Keytruda. Well, I’m pretty sure with the thousands and things of patients.. they know the answer. Cause I do. Giving him a choice now, is better than finding out you went through all this misery for nothing.. but you helped their case study. That’s just not cool to me.
And for docs when a patient and family want to know, your job is not to brush them off and give them false hope. Can again Miracles can happen, but getting the truth of your outcome changes us a priority.
He could be one of the 20-30% to survive. But that should come from his doctor. They know what stage he’s in. When they do a pet scan and there’s a lil flicker… it’s not attached to a limp nodes. Is that cancer trying to break thru? Then it goes dark.. it’s still there and showing as something but now it’s dark. What is that? Why didnt it dissolve? They know. They know exactly. That’s why I’m frustrated. A great doctor doesn’t use the excuse and everyone is different. Because they know the studies, they have the answers. So who’s benefitting in the long run when your quality life is getting worse and worse? Their case studies?
I grew up with many many cousins. Many died of accidents etc. I know all about death and taking care of family members and a friend. He can’t make a decision cause they aren’t being real so he can. He’s miserable. I’m not a happy camper as I see exactly what’s happening.
One day these doctors that don’t tell the patients the truth and they already know will be facing God one day. That I know. Sorry I went on and on, but I am beside myself, and I think this is absolutely ridiculous and so not right in any way, shape, or form.

Hi Lori, I read in another discussion thread, that your boyfriend has squamous cell carcinoma in the throat. I encourage you to also follow the Head & Neck Cancer group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/

I agree with @auntieoakley. It sounds like it is time for a frank discussion with your boyfriend's medical team. Be sure to let them know that you don't want sugar coating and that you want straight-forward answers. They will be upfront and honest.

Some of the questions I would ask the doctors are:
- Why is Keytruda only used for a maximum of 2 years?
- What options are there after Keytruda?
- Is the treatment goal remission (cancer undetectable) or palliative (prolong life, manage symptoms but no cure possible)?

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is typically used as treatment for patients with metastatic or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that cannot be removed through surgery. Does your boyfriend have metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread)? Has palliative care been discussed?

His cancer did metastasis to lymph node at end of his single pipe. Inoperable.
Started back of tongue in his throat, then moved to 5 lymph nodes on the left side of his neck. Surgery on both sides of his neck and lymph nodes were removed. Followed with 6 weeks of cisplatin with 6 weeks of proton radiation to left side of neck and throat. He was given a 98% cure rate. 3 month petscan showed cancer metastasized to left the windpipe.
They started him on Keytruda and use radiation on the chest.
That lymph node never dissolved. All I was told that they recommend to stay on this course with Keytruda. That they will not take him off during these 2 yrs unless the Keytruda quits working or it attacks his organs.
Thank you for the questions to ask.
And also fir the website. Greatly appreciated

Hubby started chemo Thursday. Developed a nasty case of hiccups all night long! Any suggestions??? When I tried to give him something to eat this morning he said he couldn’t eat because his stomach hurt from the hiccups which of course he still had.