Question:
TERRIBLE HICCUPS POST-OP, CAN ANYONE RELATE ?

I am about 8 days post-op (laproscaopic BPD/DS) and I have been suffering from HORRIBLE hiccups. They occur whenever i swallow anything (pureed food or liquids) or just spontaneously for no reason at all. I get them atleast every hour and they KILL (especially since they make me involuntarily contract my EXTREMELY sore abdominal muscles). They can last up tp 15-20 minutes at times. I'm just so sick and tired of them and i'm ready to do anything to get rid of them. Has anyone had a similar problem? If so, do you know what caused them and how to get rid of them? Thank you so much for your help.    — Laura R. (posted on July 2, 2003)

July 2, 2003
Oh, my gosh. I had the same problem, alhough it was at about eight weeks, and finally called my doc to make sure I wasn't going to hurt myself. They told me that I needed to take smaller sips and bites...much smaller. That fixed it! Can you try the same thing? It's awful, especially since you can't try the traditional remedies like a spoonful of sugar or peanut putter, or drinking upside down! Hope this helps! Lisa W Lap RNY 23-Jan-2003 246/177
   — gamboge

July 2, 2003
Hi! I'm a 3 and a half months out, and still get horrible hiccoughs. They happen primarily if I drink too fast or eat too much. I think of it like an early warning system! When I eat and drink slowly, everything is fine. Good luck! Open RNY 3/20/03 -70lbs
   — vittycat

July 2, 2003
Hi Laura, I had the same problem right after my DS almost 2 years ago. It does get better, but I have to tell you I still get the hiccups after eating--especially if I get full. Fortunately, they no longer go on for 15 - 20 minutes. Now I only hiccup a few times. That is always the signal that I am full and better stop while the stopping is good. Otherwise, I'll end up losing it in the bathroom. It has something to do with your new stomach pressing on your upper diaphram. <p>My hiccups were and still are so strong, I feel like I'm hiccuping clear from my toenails. LOL! And they are LOUD! I hope you don't have the loud hiccups like me. It sounds like I'm screaming or dying or something. My friends, family and coworkers always laugh when they hear me (after they found out what it was and knew I wasn't dying). <p>Congratulations on getting the bpd/ds. I think you will be very happy with the results. :-) A fellow DSer.
   — artistmama

July 2, 2003
This is too strange. I am sitting here with the hiccups. I just had lunch and that is when they usually occur, after a meal. I feel for you, the hiccups suck!
   — Dawn P.

July 2, 2003
I found that it's really helpful to lean back against the chair (actually I find eating on the couch easiest) back and kind of stretching your middle a bit to be quite helpful in keeping the hiccups at bay. Leaning forward or straight up and down I get them! I think the leaning back helps relieve the pressure of the pouch against your diaphragm. Give it a shot and hope you find relief soon!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 2, 2003
<font color="007000" face="Tahoma">I have been getting hiccups all my life and I have not been able to find the cause. The only thing that really truly works is regulating your breathing. When I get the hiccups, I can normally get them to stop after a few times just by slowing down and thinking about taking even breaths. I get extreamly painful hiccups at times, so the sooner I can get them to stop, the better! I hope this helps you! <BR>Good Luck! <I>~~Wendy D, 10 weeks post op, -56lbs</I></font>
   — Wendy D P.

July 2, 2003
This is funny that someone finally asked. I started having them about 3 days post op, and I still get the occasional hiccup. It's usually when I am full. I sort of use it as my full indicator. Everyone is slowly getting used to it, and it's become the little office joke! They don't hurt so bad when you heal a little more. Sometimes they are annoying, but, you get used to it.
   — sheri H.

July 2, 2003
Hiccups are caused by irritation of the diaphragm. I get them when I am too full (stomach presses against the diagphragm) or I eat too fast. A long time ago someone told me about a pressure point ( the little notch that sticks out right in front of each ear canal) - just pinch it for about 15-30 seconds. My hiccups go away every time - I don't think it matters which ear, but mine works best on the left one, my husband on the right.
   — Cera H.

July 2, 2003
I'm 16 months post-op and still get the hiccups on occasion after I eat, but usually just for a minute or two. I had them much more often and for longer durations as a new post-op, so it does get better. I always interpret it as the "I'm full" signal and I stop eating.
   — Cindy R.

July 2, 2003
I am pretty sure the hiccups have to do with eating and not drinking. As I sit and think now, after 4 1/2 months, it has gotten a little better.
   — Fixnmyself

July 4, 2003
Oh yeah. I remeber, and still get them occasionaly. The first time it happend I was 2 days post op. The nurse started laughing. I wasn't. I had open rny with a nine and a half incision. I found putting my fingers in my ears to put pressure on the vargus nerve, and hold my breath hard for several seconds pushing. It goes away faster. Good luck!!
   — mellyhudel

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