Odd symptom

[tlwelch]

So I have a question about a rather odd recurring problem since my mastectomies and this seemed like the best location to post given the names of the other forums.

So here goes. As you can see from my signature I had the double back in July of 2009. Since then I have had frequent recurrent hiccups that begin just after I eat something. It goes like this. I will eat something (meal, snack it makes no difference), about a moment later the hiccups start. They last anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes then they go away. This occurs roughly 70% of the time when I eat.

I've done some cursory web searches about post-surgical hiccups but have come up with bupkiss. I've never spoken to anyone else who has reported this problem. And I left to assume that given I'm nearly one year post surgery, that this issue is not likely to resolve.

So I'm curious has ANYONE experienced this phenomena themselves, or even heard of it? Any information or insight you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[hutchibk]

I wonder if it might not be a by-product of being intubated for the surgery? Something along those lines... just a thought.

[tlwelch]

Brenda,
And an excellent thought at that. When thought of in those terms I've had two addition intubation events in the past year, the two expander removals. Certainly worth investigating further, thanks for the direction.

[Jackie07]

I get hiccups when I am not 'concentrating' on my eating/drinking. I read/watching TV/work on computer while I am eating. It's a (bad) habit since I was 3rd/4th grade when oftentimes I was the only person eating at the table - so I read newspapers or books. It got worse when I was preparing for the joint entrance exams for high school and later college (battling against 100,000 other junior high/high school graduates.) And that's when I experienced most of the hiccups. I do remember having hiccups again while I was undergoing treatment.

Having surgery/treatment is a major task. You might try to do some relaxation (deep breathing and clearing your thoughts) before starting your meal. And make sure you are hydrated.

Do talk to your health provider if it continues to bother you.