Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] My son (47) just recently diagnosed with terminal cancer (tumor in colon spread to liver and lungs). Hospice stepping in tomorrow but in the meantime he has no physician due to no insurance. At the moment he is expericing the hiccups and sore throat. Hiccups is hurting him. He is on oxycodone as he is in much pain when not. Is there an over the counter rememdy I can get him to relieve the hiccups?
[|AI|]  Hi, Thanks for writing in. Sorry to know that your son is having an advanced stage of colon cancer. At this time, he should be given complete pain relief and emotional support. Arrangements should be made to take care of him all the time and hospice will do that I hope. Hiccups in cancer might be due to acid reflux or as a side effect to chemotherapeutic agents. If his hiccup is from acid reflux then please give him over the counter remedies to prevent acid reflux. Also keep him in seated position for 30 minutes after meals to prevent the food in stomach from returning in to the esophagus. Many chemotherapy hiccups might also respond to steroid treatment and if he is being given steroids for his condition then that will also treat the hiccups. FDA has approved a medicine called chlorpromazine to treat hiccups in cancer patients, but you require a prescription to get it.