Have you ever had hiccups with or after chemotherapy?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jun 11, 2019

We all know what hiccups are, right? They are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of your vocal cords, which produces the characteristic "hic" sound.

Mayo Clinic investigators want to learn more about hiccups in people who are receiving cancer treatment and, if you have experienced hiccups, how they may have affected your quality of life.

So, whether you’ve had hiccups or not, we asked Connect members to take part in a survey. Responses in the survey remain anonymous and are kept completely confidential. The survey is now closed. I will share the results of survey after analysis.
In the meantime, feel free to take part in this discussion about hiccups, if you want to share.

Have you had hiccups after chemotherapy? If yes, were they different than you’ve experienced before? Did they bother you or affect your daily living?

+++Study Results+++
Frequency and Symptomatology of Hiccups in Patients With Cancer: Using an On-Line Medical Community to Better Understand the Patient Experience
By C Ehret, C Young, C Ellefson, L Aase, A Jatoi
Published April 1, 2021
https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091211006923

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

marsarmn | @marsarmn | Oct 8, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@marsarmn, may I ask what type of cancer you're dealing with and what chemo you had?..." + (show)

I am being treated at Mayo for breast cancer. The chemo has been TC, with famotidine and Benadryl (and extra Benadryl when I have a reaction) and 3 days of dexamethasone. This final round has been more taxing than before--worse fatigue, nausea, longer recovery. So maybe the hiccups tied in with my body's reaction.
Radiation starts 9 days from now, proton beam therapy randomized to intensive course of treatment. We'll see how that goes!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 7, 2022

In reply to @marsarmn "This is interesting -- I had my final chemo last week, and developed hiccups that night...." + (show)

@marsarmn, may I ask what type of cancer you're dealing with and what chemo you had? How are you doing?

marsarmn | @marsarmn | Oct 1, 2022

This is interesting -- I had my final chemo last week, and developed hiccups that night. Had them off & on a few times for the next 2 days.

And I do drink vinegar, just not straight. Mix it in to seltzer or watered-down fruit juice. Come to think of it, this bout of hiccups ended after I treated myself to a new cider drink from a favorite grocery store...

nodunk | @nodunk | Aug 28, 2022

In reply to @merpreb "@nodunk- I did not mean to sound flippant about your choice of self-medicating. I am sorry..." + (show)

My belching happens when I exercise in the pool which is normal. My hiccups started with the orchiectomy I had 10 years ago. The hiccups were so loud and uncontrollable I tried to stay away from people. I found the idea of vinegar on the internet after getting no help from my surgeon or internist. Through all my treatments never had nausea and ate anything I desired. My love of all foods has helped me greatly with the mental and physical challenges I face daily.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 28, 2022

In reply to @nodunk "Took as needed. Found idea on internet. Hiccups never mild. Had same problem with belching which..." + (show)

@nodunk- I did not mean to sound flippant about your choice of self-medicating. I am sorry if this upset you. And on behalf of Connect, we thank you for your support. Surviving cancer patients are a gold piece to giving hope and support to those who struggle with it.

Did belching start with your taking apple cider vinegar? When I had chemo for my lung cancer I lost my taste for food so I began eating spicier food. This did not carry over when chemo came to an end.

My hiccups began after I had SBRT, a special type of radiation.

I look forward to reading more of your supportive posts.
Merry, Mentor, Lung Cancer Group

nodunk | @nodunk | Aug 28, 2022

In reply to @merpreb "That sounds disgusting. lol. I've had hiccups since my last radiation, maybe several times a night...." + (show)

Took as needed. Found idea on internet. Hiccups never mild. Had same problem with belching which continues to this day. Both occur when eating very spicy food which I love. Never had nausea during awful treatments like many do and always ate my favorites. Enjoying food has helped me deal with the many side effects treatments caused mainly neuropathy. Bottom line everyone reacts differently to cancer and there is no cookie cutter answer when one looks for an answer to why me or did this happen to anyone else? I spend time on these blogs to help others with my experience that may make their journey easier.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 27, 2022

In reply to @nodunk "Had terrible hiccups many times during 6 years of treatments. I found swallowing 1 tablespoon of..." + (show)

That sounds disgusting. lol. I've had hiccups since my last radiation, maybe several times a night. But they are usually very mild, not bothersome enough to swallow (gag) cider vinegar. WHat encouraged you to try this? When during the day do you take it? Does it help?

nodunk | @nodunk | Aug 27, 2022

In reply to @auntieoakley "Wow, there is more information there now than 8 or 9 years ago when I looked...." + (show)

Had terrible hiccups many times during 6 years of treatments. I found swallowing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar shocked the hiccups away.

pjsfla | @pjsfla | May 14, 2022

Heavens YES ! I rarely had them before infusion chemo for bc , and after the rad I had them so frequently other people even noticed ! It's settled down now 5 yrs later . Thought it might be a weakening due to rad on left side by heart & lung .