Medpundit wrote about hiccups today. It reminded me about one of my patients who had protracted hiccups for 5 years – you could only imagine how frustrating this was. He was a 70-yo male who started having hiccups after surgery. Multiple medications were not successful: PPIs, H2 blockers, Thorazine, Reglan, Compazine, Neurontin and Dilantin were given without success. Endless GI and neurology consults were not revealing. There were some small studies using Baclofen for the control of hiccups – and this resulted in mild improvement. However, there continued to be breakthrough episodes. I also read some case reports using Amitriptyline to treat intractible hiccups. Currently, with a regimen of Amitriptyline 100mg at night and Baclofen 10mg 3x/day, it seems like they under adequate control so that the patient can resume a normal life.
Related posts:
- Deglutition syncope causes a woman to pass out after eating a sandwich
- A father poisons his children’s soup in an attempt to sue Campbell
- Medical bloggers are held to a double standard
- Doctors treating themselves
- Resident work hour restrictions: Good for nothing?
- Would you take a prescription drug for longer eyelashes?
- When patients threaten to leave AMA
{ 4 comments }
I would really like to see more information on how effective neurotin really is for hiccups. My dad is 85 years old. He has been battling the hiccups for about 1 year. Hospitalized several times for this with many consults including GI guys, Neurologist,pulmonalogists, ENT guys, you names it. Let me know if anyone has heard of nefopam given in Italy for a few cases of severe hiccups. I know you cannot get it here in the U.S. Thanks for the article though it’s a perplexing problem. Sally
My husband has had hiccups most of every day for 6 plus years. Earlier, he had them for eight months, then they ended for nearly nine years. He, too, has tried Baclofen, Thorazine, GERD-type pills and, most recently, Neurontin. That seemed to ease them a bit, but also seems to wear off. He tries adusting the dosage both upwards and downwards, without significant change in their occurrence.
We wondered about Nefopam and anyone’s success with it?
I have had protracted hiccups approximately every three years. They have lasted from 48 hours to 10 days. Thorazine was effective once, but the second time (3 years later) the dosage was increased, resulting in a severe allergic reaction.
Over the past years, my brother has had protracted hiccups on two occassions, lasting from 2 to 3 days each. Has anyone heard of this being a genetic trait?
My comment has to do with the guy that has had hiccups for a year. Growing up my whole life I have had many hiccup attacks not as often in a row as this man, but atleast three a year. The best answer I have for him is this as it eventually always works for me. By the way I am not kidding.
1. Hold Breath for about as long as you can atleast 45 seconds.
2. While holding breath think of something else like being on vacation, a happy thought.
3. Last of all as you slowly exhale your breath try making your self BURP as much as you can.
If this man can not make himself BURP without the need of help from drugs, sodapop, or beer. Then that’s his main problem he needs to train himself to create air burps as much as he can until it stops.
-Chris
Comments on this entry are closed.