Hiccups after chemotherapy

[Spananf]

My husband started chemotherapy with immunotherapy on Monday. With it he had to take dexamethasone steroids and has had hiccups ever since. He had chemotherapy for 4 sessions at the end of last year and had hiccups but they went as soon as he finishes taking the steroids. These hiccups have now been going on for 6 days and they are really getting him down. Has anybody else had this and if so how did you get rid of them? I would be very grateful for some advice so that I can help him x

[Babydolltina]

Spananf sorry to hear of the little problem with Dexmethasone. Is your husband taking them with food. My wife had this problem as she wasn't eating with them and she was told to take them with a biscuit. It stopped it.

Hope this helps

[Spananf in reply to Babydolltina]

Thank you so much for the tip! I will definitely make sure he eats with them next time, I have also been told that he can take the anti sickness medication metoclpramide with them too which should help. It’s amazing what 6 little steroid pills can do and also very frustrating! Too late to do it this cycle but will be armed and ready next time!

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Spanaf

What a nuisance for your Husband, Dexamethasone is best taken with either food or milk and taken early morning, no later than midday. Dexamethasone can cause hiccups in some people and should resolve after the tablets have stopped. However if the hiccups are ongoing perhaps go back to the chemotherapy team especially if the anti nausea tablets are not helping.

This link is from cancer research UK on some advice regarding the management of hiccups:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our Freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team