Hiccups!!

[CBJC8552]

My dad has just started treatment this week Mon and Tues ( obinutuzumab and ventoclax) and he has started to complain about never ending hiccups. I thought I read something about hiccups being common but I can't seem to find that again. If anyone has any insight I would appreciate it. Thanks

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi CBJC8552,

Here is a link to the 20 previous posts that mention hiccups:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

I hope you can find some good suggestions there.

-

Len

[Rando21]

Only know of two ways to get rid of hiccups.

1. Fill a glass with water and drink the water out of the glass from opposite side. It’s awkward but the chin and bottom lip should be inside the glass while the upper lip is actually outside the glass. Force yourself to drink this way and usually they stop.

2 You can also use a pressure point between the index and thumb. Essentially pinch the area of skin between the thumb and index that forms a triangular shape. Pinch hard and firm for about a minute bout 2/3’s of the way to the place where the bones meet. It will hurt a little but should stop the hiccups.

Did a quick google search I guess there are a few other solutions. I have seen these two methods work many times though.

Here’s a video of the water cup process:

youtube.com/shorts/L1to3v2K...

Here’s a video of the hand solution. He seems to be off target. It is like a gland you can feel in that area described:

youtu.be/MSJb2rfLsDQ?featur...(Not working as expected?)

[Smakwater]

Here is a response that I posted 3 years ago -

"I had hiccups, "No", I had Super Hiccups after every obinutuzumab infusion until my oncologist re-approved my ARD meds. The hiccups would last for about three days after an infusion. I would have episodes that would continue for 1 - 2 hours and let up for 4 - 5 hours at a time.

I have advanced acid reflux disease, and they took me off of omepresole at the beginning of the infusions. I was put on ranitadine/zantac, which I tried to no avail for about 6 infusions. After a request to the trial admin, I was re-approved for omepesole. After resuming the omepresole, the hiccups only lasted part of a day following obinutuzumab. In addition, the hiccups were much less intense."

JM

[SeymourB in reply to Smakwater]

Smakwater -

Did they say why they cut your omeprazole in the first place? I don't see any interactions with obinutuzumab on some of the drug interactions checker.

=seymour=

[Smakwater in reply to SeymourB]

I believe it was because Zantac was pre approved for use in the trial and omeprazole had not been discussed until I presented the severity of the hiccups.

[SeymourB in reply to Smakwater]

Smakwater -

Interesting. My own trial does not require an antacid. It requires valcyclovir and allopurinol. I think the additional required meds can make subtle differences in AEs that might otherwise show up. Among other drugs, I was on omeprazole before the trial for GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), and they allowed me to continue. I'm on Pirtbrutinib, Obinutuzumab (finished), and Venetoclax.

=seymour=

[Smakwater in reply to SeymourB]

When I say pre approved, I do not think that it was specified in the contract, rather it was allowed from previous discussion. All other unspecified needs would need approval. Most likely to prevent undesirable drug interaction.

I found it interesting that the year after I halted Zantac, it was recalled and pulled from the shelf for possibly causing cancer. - drugwatch.com/zantac/recall....

[CBJC8552]

Thank you all for your replys, I appreciate it.

[Big_Dee]

Hello CBJC8552

I feel for anyone who has hiccups caused by CLL treatment infusions. I had extensive hiccups with B+R treatment but only very short duration hiccups on V&O treatment which was not a problem. My second round of B+R infusion caused 5 days of nonstop hiccups. Hiccups does not sound like an adverse side effect, but it was 5 days with very intermittent sleep. The doctors tried everything they could think of without success. By the third round of B+R infusions, the hiccups duration was down to 5-15 minutes at a time. The only thing that worked for me was time. Blessings.

[whitravis]

Generalist physician (with CLL) writing here. Last month I had hiccups almost 3 weeks straight. The medical community tends to dismiss this: "it's just hiccups." Or prescribe a very sedating and out of date treatment with Rx thorazine.

Thankfully my GI doctor gets it: "makes you feel like jumping off a bridge, right?" Immediate relief from her prescriptionS to be taken over the same time period:

pantoprazole 40mg twice daily (BID)

sucralfate BID, standard dose. Neither she nor I have prescribed that for YEARS.

Reglan (metoclopramide) 10mg TID (I adjusted dose as needed for myself. Follow YOUR doctor's directions.

Baclofen 10mg TID tends to be sedating.

My hiccups stopped within an hour or so of starting this regimen, which I'm slowly tapering off of.

TW White, MD

[Big_Dee in reply to whitravis]

Hello whitravis

The Thorazine did not work for me either.

[Pacificview]

I had them with some Obin infusions. I have also had more hiccups with just Ven solo.Doctor prescribed baclofen and that has been sufficient.

[BMFCDRW in reply to Pacificview]

Baclofen worked for me too! All the best

[Pacificview in reply to BMFCDRW]

It helps with body aches as well and its non narcotic.

[BMFCDRW in reply to Pacificview]

Thank you! Didn’t know it.