Skip to content


    Attention All WebMD Community Members:


    Your new WebMD Message Boards are now open!


    1. Head over to this page:


    3. Start posting

    Have questions? Email us anytime at [email protected]

    Includes Expert Content
    stroke and hiccup
    italiangirl posted:
    My father had in june an ischemic stroke in the area of the middle cerebral artery. 10 days after it a persistent hiccup started. He did a chest ct scan and a gastroscopy and there is nothing relevant on them. This hiccup often starts after meals, with an eructation, and sometimes he stops 1 or 2 hours after he falls asleep. Normally it lasts from 2 to 4/8 days. What can we do? Could it be a consequence of the stroke even if it didn't involve the brainstem and cerebellum part of the brain? We already treated him with: baclofen, promazine, omeprazole and domperidone. We also try with acupuncture but it didn't work. He is epileptic so he also takes oxcarbazepine.
    (excuse my english but I'm italian)
    Was this Helpful?
    0 of 0 found this helpful
    Richard C Senelick, MD responded:
    Intractable hiccups are not common, but when they occur they can be very difficult to treat. Your uncle has tried many of the usual remedies and it sounds like his doctors have looked for causes besides his stroke. There are two other anticonvulsants that doctors use to treat intractable hiccups: valproic acid and gabapentin. His neurologist should be able to combine and try them, one at a time, with his current medication.

    The treatment is hit and miss. You have to just keep trying different things until hopefully something works.

    Finally, your English is excellent !! Good Luck.
    italiangirl replied to Richard C Senelick, MD's response:
    Thank you very much for your answer. We cannot use valproic acid because we gave him some times ago because of his epilepsy and he cannot stand it. Even our doctor suggested gabapentin, 1200mg each day..I hope it will work.

    Helpful Tips

    Any Exercise is Good!Expert
    Was this Helpful?
    4 of 8 found this helpful

    Related Drug Reviews

    • Drug Name User Reviews

    Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA
