Does anyone else have a constant problem with hiccups? It seems no matter what I eat, drink or do, I get hiccups. They don't last long, but they have become really annoying. A couple times they have continued until my chest has gotten sore, but mostly just short bursts.
They even wake me up from sleep. I see my gastro in a couple weeks and the question is right up there at the top of my list.
Just wondering if anyone has this problem. :-\
Pooh
Pooh, this isn't about the hiccupS (plural). I have been having one big hiccup which makes an awful noise and sort of jars the body. I don't know if it's the hiccupS stopped in progress or what. I can feel my diaphram go boink and then it's over. The only reason I noticed it was once I scared my hubby. I had one of these hiccup thingys and apparently it scared him to have me do this. I assurred him I'm ok. I do hope you can get to the er' bottom of the problem. :P Lucy
PS. I take one of the popular pills for GERD.
Hi Pooh,
Yes, I have problems with this, too. Especially lately, while I am flaring. They aren't just little ones either, they are the kind that hurts because it wrenches your whole body. At least it feels that way. They calm down after a while, but often after I drink a sip of water they start up again. Very frustrating.
Let us know what your gasto says.
Liz D.
You'll prolly have a lot of these hiccup cure posts... And of course mine is foolproof.. ;D
Fill a short wide mouth glass with water... From a standing position, bend over and drink from the far end of the glass, a couple of 'gulps' should do it.. The other thing I try when there is no water :o :o is breathing out in puffs similiar to 'labor breathing' mouth open and ha-ha-who, ha-ha who.... I hope they stop bugging you soon...
Lucy when I get those thingys you are talking about, they usually precede a round of esophageal spasms. I sure hope you don't get them.
Liz, you're right, they really hurt after a while. I hate the ones that start while I'm asleep.
Seabreeze,
I don't think "Fred" would let me do the first one, and it seems to make things worse if I sip on water. Go figure! ::) My balance is totally shot because of my neuropathy and CNS involvement, so bending over and drinking is out of the question. But thanks for suggestions.
Pooh
I got the hiccups last night and annoyed the heck out of my husband.
Pooh...Sounds like this is really bothering you, that it is more than the usual getting the hiccups on occasion. I'm glad that you are seeing your gastro in a couple of weeks and that he/she will be able to get some relief for you.
I have never heard of getting hiccups in your sleep. All of this must be very wearing on you I would think. Thinking of you....
Seabreeze....Yup, you have a good cure for normal hiccups...not sure if it would help Pooh even if she could bend over. A variation if the regular bending and sipping from far end of cup..is to have someone put their fingers over your ears while you sip bent over. Works for a stubborn case!!
Try doing the whole thing yourself..takes quite an acrobat!!!!!!
Sorry folks, I don't get them often, with me, it's sneezing - no rhyme, no reason, but I sure feel for y'all!
Are esophageal spasms like you can't swallow - as though you've forgotten how to? It's a very strange feeling (Patze scratching her head).
Patze
I rarely get hiccups........ However, a few weeks ago I had gone a few days with them coming and going. They were very persistent and unusual for me. I also think I'm in that flare up mode for several weeks too. interesting....
dave
I get hiccups too especially after eating bread or something that is a bit dry. And sometimes they're really heaving ones
pud
Pooh, funny you should ask:
Yes, I have noticed a big increase in the amt of hiccups I have. I have determined that they come one when I have made a physical movement. That's all I can figure.
They don't last long....maybe 3=4 minutes. But it's annoying and I don't know why I'm getting them just about everyday.
Patze,
Don't know if I can explain the spasms correctly or not. They feel like to me as if someone is suddenly clamping and unclamping my esophagus closed and then open. Almost like a cramp that grabs and then lets go. 99% of the time they do this. Once in a while they hold for a few seconds and they are the ones that send me flying for the nitrogylcerin tablets. They really hurt.
And yes, I've had the spells where nothing happens when I try to swallow. It's like knocking on a locked door. Nothing will work in the swallowing department. Scared me to death the first time it happened. Now I know that the first thing I need to do is relax.
Take care and I will let you all know what the gastro says about these dang hiccups.
Pooh
Quote from: Pooh on October 12, 2008, 09:41:03 PM
And yes, I've had the spells where nothing happens when I try to swallow. It's like knocking on a locked door. Nothing will work in the swallowing department. Scared me to death the first time it happened. Now I know that the first thing I need to do is relax.
Patze and Pooh,
Oh my gosh...this happens to me sometimes...and it scares me, but I know if I just relax a bit I am able to swallow. I never knew what caused this and still don't...I thought it was just me getting too anxious because I start to panic if I cant swallow (this happens even if I am not eating or drinking). This is the first time I have heard of others having this same problem.
That blockage feeling happens to me too. And 'relaxing' does help... lately I've been really nervous when I eat, I'm by myself now and occasionally worry about choking w/out anyone there... and unable to speak to 911... we don't have reverse 911 here, but you can register your phone number...
Hi Lynnmarie,
I'm wondering could this be something peculiar to SJS? Could it be a neuro issue for us? I mean if some of us are having neuro issues to begin with, why couldn't it also affect our throats? It's an interesting idea. Anyone else run across this in their reading?
Take care -
Patze
It is interesting Patze.....because I have never heard anyone else ever say anything like this before until now.....so lets see if anyone else knows anything more about why this happens. I thought I was going crazy or having some kind of panic attack...and I never mentioned it to anyone before now.
Pooh...do you know what could be causing this?
When I first mentioned the "closed door" to my gastro, he said it was associated with the Autonomic Nervous system. Also that it was another symptom of the Sjs process. He stressed that when it occurs to relax and not panic. Although it's a bit terrifying it will pass. He also said he knows of no reason why it happens except for that. Also when you have that sudden intake of a breath, not a hiccup, just a sudden short intake. Another weird happening.
I'm sure it's the same with the hiccups, but I sure would like to know why they wake me from a sound sleep. I think it infuriates me more then, then it does during the day. I feel so blessed when I can sleep that it really tics me off to be awakened by these things.
This disease sure can screw up your life in more ways than one. The gift that keeps on giving, that's Sjogren's.
Hugs, Pooh
Pooh, I think if you do some googling you would find that hiccups are caused by an irritation of a nerve. I can't remember which one but phrenic nerve comes to mind. I know that there have been people who have had hiccups for weeks, months, years. When it gets this bad it totally interferes with a persons quality of life. Docs will do surgery and cut the nerve to the diaphram to help curb the hiccuping.
I hope and pray that none of us ever get them that bad!!!! Hope yours are better Pooh. Irish ;D
Only when I eat to fast and they don't last long?
Well I saw my gastor today and guess what? I could have saved myself a trip and ask Irish. Right on Irish you hit the nail or should I say nerve right on the head.
He told me that a combination of the dryness from the Sjogren's and the GERD (reflux) will cause inflammation of this nerve. He advised me to take a Zantac 150 or a Pepcid 20 before going to bed if it is happening more than 3 or 4 times a week. If not he said to take it when it occurs. This is not in place of the Nexium I already take, just for additional help.
He was quite surprised when I mentioned the hiccups. He said he hadn't been asked about them since he practiced in Philly years ago. It was a health column reporter that ask him then. They did a whole column on the cause and cure of hiccups.
So that was my day, plus a little birthday shopping. Hubby bought me a Stone Mountain leather pocketbook as my gift this year. Never thought I would own such an expensive bag but it was 50% off and I had my 20% off birthday bonus coupon from the store. I'm a happy Pooh tonight. ;D
Take care all and watch out for those hiccers!!
Pooh
I'm glad you are a happy Pooh. You deserve it. Wouldn't it be nice to get a pressie after each doctor trip.
When is your birthday?
Pud
My stomach is so messed up that i;m almost afraid to eat,, as soon as I do, I get that body wrencing hic cups,, and the food just slowly makes it way through my stomach,, I saw the immuno last night,, he said no more IVIG,,, this after 6 months of the stuff, sais it wasent doing any good,,, also said what i;m bring out of mynose is a allergic reaction to somthing,, I;m not buying that one,, this stuff isnt normal,, I am constantly up at 3 am,, not able to sleep becasue of the thickness and choking i get,,
Navydad,
Do you have GERD (reflux)? This can cause so many digestive problems. I know from experience that you never know when this problem will raise it's ugly head.
I hope you feel better soon.
Pooh
I would never thought of posting about hiccups, but now that someone brought this subject up, I got to tell, you when get them and it's often, they come on with such extrem force that they acutely hurt and are obnoxiously loud and I have no control over them. To date I have never seen anyone with violent hiccups like mine, but I never asked a bunch of Soggies before.
Quote from: Pooh on October 21, 2008, 06:33:59 AM
Navydad,
Do you have GERD (reflux)? This can cause so many digestive problems. I know from experience that you never know when this problem will raise it's ugly head.
I hope you feel better soon.
I was told by my old Primary care that I had it,, I fired the guy,, he was the one that said I was a bit on the crazy side,, I see a gastro this week,, and the rheummy in Pittsburgh,, all I really want is for these darn infections to clear up,, and for hte stomah issues to calm down,, If I were a dog and feeling this bad,, they;d put me to sleep,,
Pooh
I get them after eating bread - my hubby thinks it's hilarious - wish I did too!!! They really hurt.
Navy dad you sound you're having a pretty miserable time of it - sorry to hear it.
Happy new handbag day pooh x
I get them more than I used to. They come on suddenly and surprise me, but don't last for too long.
Kathyx
Thanks Wen. When I wrote that reply I could not think of "handbag" to save my life. Even "purse" eluded me. I hate this "brain fog" so much. I could finish up my moderator duties a half hour earlier than I do if I didn't have to sit and wait on words to come. Aauugghh!!
Hugs, Pooh
Wow, I have soooo much in common with everyone...
I have been having bouts of hiccups for years now! I never know when it's going to happen, or why, but I do know that on any given day, when it does happen, it will happen the rest of the day after I eat or drink. This has gone on for maybe a decade.
The other thing that sounds sort of familiar...Sometimes when I drink something, it feels like my esophagus "clamps shut" and just as the fluid starts to go past the back of my tongue and down my throat, it gets "locked out," and sometimes I end up almost spitting it out.
It's almost like how it feels in your throat when you have the "heaves" but it only happens sometimes when I go to chug a beverage. Does that sound like an esophageal spasm? It feels like it.
Hi BeBe,
Yes, it does sound like esophageal spasms. I also found out on my last appt. with my gastro that the hiccups are a side effect of GERD. He laughed when I ask him about it. I said "What's so funny?" He said when he was in his last term of medical school he had to write a paper on hiccups and he was interviewed by the local newspaper to print his paper.
That's when he told me that they are caused by irritation of the epiglottis. In my case it is irritated by reflux disorder or other irritants.
Pooh
Quote from: Pooh on December 13, 2008, 06:10:44 AM
Hi BeBe,
Yes, it does sound like esophageal spasms. I also found out on my last appt. with my gastro that the hiccups are a side effect of GERD. He laughed when I ask him about it. I said "What's so funny?" He said when he was in his last term of medical school he had to write a paper on hiccups and he was interviewed by the local newspaper to print his paper.
That's when he told me that they are caused by irritation of the epiglottis. In my case it is irritated by reflux disorder or other irritants.
Pooh
Thanks, Pooh, that's interesting. I was just dxd with gastritis, but the gastro said everything else was fine, and though I forgot to ask, I think he probably would have said if I have GERD. However, I've always had a very "touchy" epiglottis! I do the "choking cough" thing a lot, or I used to more often when I had saliva! If even the tiniest drip hit my epiglottis, I'd go into a coughing fit. It happened at least once a week. Always had problems swallowing food, too- probably because of the esophageal spasm thing.
I've scared many a person who thought I would choke on my food!
BeBe,
You are not alone with the choking. My poor friend Carolyn turns white when I start choking. I've told her "it's just me, I'm okay", but she is so afraid I'm choking to death.
I guess we'll just have to wear a sign that says "Just Sjogren's Folks, Not dying!" ;D
I had my esophagus stretched about 3 or 4 months ago during an endoscopy, but I think it's time to do it again as I'm having problems swallowing again. If it isn't one thing with this disease, it's 10 others. ::)
Take care and I hope you don't get to choking or hiccuping to much. ;)
Pooh
Hi BeBe and Pooh
Do you wake choking? I've had the coughing/choking combination for about 18 months now. I have a lot of neuro symptoms, most of which begin after odd 'episodes' triggered by severe, killer headaches. The usual picture is that I get an unbelievably horrible headache and then shortly afterwards new areas of numbness appear. Summer 2007 the left side of my face, throat and tongue were affected. Since then the choking and coughing got a lot worse, often waking me in the night.
Food can start it off, particularly crumbs, and also fizzy drinks. My speech therapist had some good advice about eating toast with lots of butter on it, advice I was more than happy to take! She didn't have much to say about my failing voice except to suggest that I didn't talk so much. Now that's almost impossible for me!
I haven't noticed more hiccups than usual but my daughter gets them a lot, and always has done. Drinking from the other side of the cup doesn't make much difference, nor does a sudden shock. However ... this summer while we were visiting a friend in Belgium, Ruby got really bad hiccups. The friend offered her 20 euros if she could hiccup once more and, do you know, she just couldn't do it! Maybe it made her relax and the spasm passed? Might be worth a try? Maybe instead of 20 euros you could get another lovely handbag/purse, Pooh?!
Love to all - Chana
Chana:
Have you seen this thread
https://sjogrensworld.org/index.php?topic=7248.0
They are studying ECGc in MS to see if it has a neuroprotective effect. I wonder if it would work for the neuropathy complications in Sjogrens as well?
Just a thought, it would be wonderful is the answer was so simple.
Sue
Pooh,
I read about hiccups being related to a nerve. I also read that stimulating the nerve is what they believe stops them. I get them A LOT and so much that my family thinks it's hysterical. I just make sure to swallow right afterwards so that I can wash the acid back down to my stomach. I never get them while asleep but my husband burps in his sleep so I assume it's not really weird to get hiccups too. And given your neuro involvement (and mine are involved as well), it would seem that hiccups are typical, I suppose.
I'll share what I do that works all of the time for me, and doesn't involve weird positions. I take a deep breath and without letting any of it out, I swallow three times. It's weird, but if I let air out, it won't work and I seem to need the time of three swallows before they will go away. My theory is the pressure of both holding air (without exhaling one bit) and swallowing, stimulates the nerve enough to reset it or something. I don't have to actually swallow any liquid but just do a swallow.
Nerves are a real pain. I've had to find a bunch of things to eliminate or ease pressure on my nerves all over the place. I wish someone in the medical community could offer suggestions rather than us having to experiment and research to find relief.
I wish you well.
Amy
Amy, you are quite right about the nerve involvement. I had completely forgotten about that. It's called the vargus (sp) I believe. Thanks for penetrating my "Brain Fog". Sometimes I come out of it long enough to remember things but not always. ::)
Pooh