Sedated Katie

Well, I went to the neurologist for my mystery hiccups. Once again, he laughed. Not exactly what I was looking for. He believes that the fact that I had my gall bladder removed at such a young age (rare) and I have chronic hiccups (even more rare) must be related. His hypothesis is that when my g.b. went south because of inflammation it irritated the vagus nerve. Even though my g.b. was removed, the irritation to the nerve had already been done and has become permanent.

Solution? Good question. Well, first I am going to have an MRI of my brain with and without contrast to rule out any more serious causes, such as a tumor or damage. It is unlikely because I would have other symptoms. He is also going to do a blood work up to make sure everything is good.

So the fun one! I will be given a Central Nervous System depressor to "reset" my vagus nerve which is misfiring. I will take a high dose (x6 the normal dose) of this drug for 10 days (during my summer vacation from school)in the hopes that it will decrease the misfiring of the vagus nerve permanently. However, to depress on nerve, they depress them all. That means for 10 days I will not be able to drive (or possible walk with a steady gait) and will have decreased motor skills.

It is not my dream vacation, but I will be well rested for my return to school. Of course I will be accepting visitors who are willing to bring movies and hang out with me. I will be at home. But I am sure I will be bored. I am not really sure what to expect, but after a few days I will get an idea as to what is going to come.

Strange and hard treatment. But after a year and a half of constantly hiccuping, I am willing to try almost anything.