What is Jevity

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depressed63
depressed63 Member Posts: 61 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I hope this isn't a silly question. Is this the food used for the feeding tube? If so, where do I buy it or is it by prescription? My husband will have the tube in on Tuesday. Sorry for sounding so silly not knowing what this is. Is this like Ensure?

Thanks,

Donna

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  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #2
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    Check the HNC Superthread.
    Check the HNC Superthread. Scroll down the topics. Sweetblood did a fantastic job putting information on that thread. I did not need the tube last time but You will get info you need on the Superthread. Good luck to you.
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #3
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    No silly questions
    I have found that there are no silly questions on this site, just honest questions and concerns. When we start this adventure we do not know where to go with our questions, we ask the medical professionals and then get home and have 200's of more questions. People on this site have been fantastic at sharing their experiences.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
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    Actually, I'm not sure I
    Actually, I'm not sure I have anything specifically about Jevity on the Superthread. Yes, Jevity is nutrition for peg tubes. I think it may be a lactose free formula and I think it also has fibre in it. Not sure about that tho.

    JEVITY

    There is 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5. That refers to calories per ml. I had a canned nutrition called Nutren 1.5, it was a 250ml can, which made it 375 cals a can. Not sure if it is prescription, like my Nutren can be. If it is covered by your insurance, there will need to be script. Sometimes your insurance company will require you to have a case worker assigned to you in order to cover the prescription. For me, my insurance covered the pump, food, and home visits. My food was delivered to my door by the provider.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #5
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    My PEG
    When I had the PEG installed, I asked for the pump to use with it. Otherwise, they will set you up with either a drip system, or a syringe to fill and squeeze in. I found the syringes to be large and stiff and difficult to use with my small hands.

    My insurance provider paid for everything. I did hear that, without the pump, you are on your own as far as paying for the food. May or may not be so.

    I got cases and cases of the Jevity, lots of plastic feeding bags with tubes attached, the pump, and an IV pole to hang it all on. You can use a single bag for 24 hours, so I would pre-load it with several cans. You hang the food bag, snap the pump around the tube out of the bag, plug the tube into your PEG, and switch it on. You can set the feeding rate as fast or slow as you want. When I was well, I'd pump a can in about 15 minutes. when I was sick on the chemo, I'd set the rate to pump three or four cans in, as I slept during the night. Probably more information than you needed, but ask any questions you may have.

    The PEG saved my life...

    Deb
  • sue5749
    sue5749 Member Posts: 170
    #6
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    Jevity
    My husband has been on 1.5 Jevity now for 7 months. You have to have a prescription for it for you insurance to pay. It is very expensive finally just found out that Barnes Healthcare is paying all of it even the shipping. We were paying $37.00 plus 17.00 for shipping for a case of 24 cans. But you have to have a peg tube and this has to be your only way of getting food for your ins to pay. I guess it all depends on your ins though. But check this place out I found it on the Internet. So hope this will help you out. I know i looked all over and this place pays for everything. My husband does not have any trouble with the 1.5 Jevity. He takes 5 cans a day. Would like him to take 6 put he saids that he can't. Good Luck!!!
  • Lelia
    Lelia Member Posts: 98
    #7
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    Jevity
    Jevity's one of those things you learn about with H&Nc, I'd never heard of it before and doubt any of us had bc. So it's not a silly Q AT ALL!

    Jevity's preferred by many onco nutritionists because it contains fiber which helps many with regularity, it worked for my husband. It comes in little 8 oz pop-top cans. Taken as directed it's supposed to provide a full day's complete nutrition, looks like Sweetblood linked to the ingredients label.

    Don't be shy about asking the RNs for help, demonstrations and advice with the PEG. My husband got the PEG while hospitalized during his last two weeks on rads/chemo and I sat with every shift RN to learn each one's tricks, it really helped once we got home and it was just the two of us with him so sick he couldn't walk and a strange tube emerging from his stomach. I didn't want to seem tentative with the PEG so I made sure I felt competent before we left the hospital, there are lots of tricks you'll pick up, ways to prevent excess air from reaching the stomach, flushing with water, etc. If your medical practitioners don't answer all your questions, or if issues arise as you guys use the PEG, ASK HERE! People here, the CSN H&N board, were super helpful and kind to me. Our insurance paid for most of the Jev, we paid ~$100 a month, and the supplier provided a 24/7 800 number for questions or problems. But frankly, I got the best info here.

    Hope all goes well, you're doing great.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #8
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    D Lewis said:

    My PEG
    When I had the PEG installed, I asked for the pump to use with it. Otherwise, they will set you up with either a drip system, or a syringe to fill and squeeze in. I found the syringes to be large and stiff and difficult to use with my small hands.

    My insurance provider paid for everything. I did hear that, without the pump, you are on your own as far as paying for the food. May or may not be so.

    I got cases and cases of the Jevity, lots of plastic feeding bags with tubes attached, the pump, and an IV pole to hang it all on. You can use a single bag for 24 hours, so I would pre-load it with several cans. You hang the food bag, snap the pump around the tube out of the bag, plug the tube into your PEG, and switch it on. You can set the feeding rate as fast or slow as you want. When I was well, I'd pump a can in about 15 minutes. when I was sick on the chemo, I'd set the rate to pump three or four cans in, as I slept during the night. Probably more information than you needed, but ask any questions you may have.

    The PEG saved my life...

    Deb

    Jevity
    Donna- yes, it's like Ensure, but is supposed to be a little better for providing what your body needs when getting only intake thru the PEG.

    Sweet is correct in the three she lists- 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5, as that seems to be only what is available now; however, a couple years ago there was also a 2.0. Not even sure they still make that, as it was less tolerable and seldom prescribed. The 2.0 is what I used, and because it was denser/more calories it not only required fewer feedings/day (3), but also was cheaper- back in 09 I paid $45 for 24 cans. You might wanna inquire about. I was told they have to order it special, and when I was in the hospital could not get it.

    I had a bulky G-tube and just slowly poured the Jevity into a large open syringe tube that I placed in the top of the feeding tube. A local home health store called Option Care got all my PEG supplies for me, and they did a great job for me- including home delivery of the Jevity when times got rough.

    And, yes, Deb isn't the only one here who considers the PEG a lifesaver. Got mine installed before treatment started, began using exclusive at the end of week #1, carried it for over 15-months, and have absolutely no regrets.

    kcass

    Must add that United Healthcare refused to pay for the Jevity, though it did pay for the PEG installation.
  • depressed63
    depressed63 Member Posts: 61 Member
    #9
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    Lelia said:

    Jevity
    Jevity's one of those things you learn about with H&Nc, I'd never heard of it before and doubt any of us had bc. So it's not a silly Q AT ALL!

    Jevity's preferred by many onco nutritionists because it contains fiber which helps many with regularity, it worked for my husband. It comes in little 8 oz pop-top cans. Taken as directed it's supposed to provide a full day's complete nutrition, looks like Sweetblood linked to the ingredients label.

    Don't be shy about asking the RNs for help, demonstrations and advice with the PEG. My husband got the PEG while hospitalized during his last two weeks on rads/chemo and I sat with every shift RN to learn each one's tricks, it really helped once we got home and it was just the two of us with him so sick he couldn't walk and a strange tube emerging from his stomach. I didn't want to seem tentative with the PEG so I made sure I felt competent before we left the hospital, there are lots of tricks you'll pick up, ways to prevent excess air from reaching the stomach, flushing with water, etc. If your medical practitioners don't answer all your questions, or if issues arise as you guys use the PEG, ASK HERE! People here, the CSN H&N board, were super helpful and kind to me. Our insurance paid for most of the Jev, we paid ~$100 a month, and the supplier provided a 24/7 800 number for questions or problems. But frankly, I got the best info here.

    Hope all goes well, you're doing great.

    I will have a lot to learn about the Peg
    Thanks for all of the replies. I feel more comfortable about asking some of the questions Tuesday when my husband has surgery for it. Strange thing was the Doctor said they put him to sleep to put the peg in but when he gets it out he's awake.

    I have an IV pole. He wasn't doing to good on the chemo and he needed hooked up to an IV. The home nurse that came to the house showed me how to hook that up. I am so thankful that I have this forum to ask questions. My husband isn't to happy about the stomach peg but he said he will follow the radiologist advice.

    I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. I hope they cover the food for the peg. Were still trying to find out if we have to pay a 50.00 specialist co-pay every time he has his radiation treatments along with his weekly chemo....that's $300.00 a week for 7 weeks. I have to learn to take a deep breath, organize them in a pile, and make payment arrangements because I'm getting so overwhelmed every time I bring in the mail. I'm concerned more though about the prescriptions and his nutrition that I have to pay right away.


    The information I read from everyone is so helpful here. Thank you so much!

    Donna
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
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    depressed63 said:

    I will have a lot to learn about the Peg
    Thanks for all of the replies. I feel more comfortable about asking some of the questions Tuesday when my husband has surgery for it. Strange thing was the Doctor said they put him to sleep to put the peg in but when he gets it out he's awake.

    I have an IV pole. He wasn't doing to good on the chemo and he needed hooked up to an IV. The home nurse that came to the house showed me how to hook that up. I am so thankful that I have this forum to ask questions. My husband isn't to happy about the stomach peg but he said he will follow the radiologist advice.

    I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. I hope they cover the food for the peg. Were still trying to find out if we have to pay a 50.00 specialist co-pay every time he has his radiation treatments along with his weekly chemo....that's $300.00 a week for 7 weeks. I have to learn to take a deep breath, organize them in a pile, and make payment arrangements because I'm getting so overwhelmed every time I bring in the mail. I'm concerned more though about the prescriptions and his nutrition that I have to pay right away.


    The information I read from everyone is so helpful here. Thank you so much!

    Donna

    Yeah, the bills can get
    Yeah, the bills can get overwhelming, but don't focus on that. I wasn't working through treatments and I had just left my ex husband the year before, and left with nothing, so I filled out applications for aid through the hospital, and was accepted. You might want to do that.
  • sweetgammy
    sweetgammy Member Posts: 24 Member
    #11
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    Jevity
    Yes, JEvity is a can of liquid food perfectly balanced to be a complete meal. You can drink it or put it in a feeding tube. Yes, it's like ensure only better. In order for your insurance company to cover the cost you must not be able to swallow! verified by your doctor. there's a specific designation for it.Sorry I can't remember it! It comes in only vanilla. It doesn't taste bad and you can add chocolate syrup or something else to alter the taste if you don't like it. You can live on it alone. I think the recommendation is at least 6 cans a day for the needed calories. It costs $50 for a case of 24! Good luck with it!

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