Emily Marsh, British Teen, Has Had Hiccups For 10 Weeks Straight, Is 'Running Out Of Ideas'

A SCHOOLGIRL today told how she has been unable to stop hiccuping for 10 weeks and even does it in her sleep.

Emily Marsh, 13, from Wallington, Surrey, hiccups every two seconds and is so exhausted that she has to take afternoons off school.

Doctors say her condition is extremely rare.

Since being referred to St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Emily has had an MRI scan, ultrasound scan, chest X-ray, endoscopy, biopsies and a nasal chute to measure her pH levels.

Doctors have prescribed a variety of drugs and she has tried hypnosis, osteopathy and folk remedies.

Emily, a pupil at Stanley Park High School, Carshalton, said: "I have tried everything — even the spoonful of vinegar. That was horrible. I've tried drinking backwards, holding my breath and people at school have been trying to scare me a lot."

Her mother Cathy Barrett, 45, said: "We will try anything. We are running out of ideas."