G-Tube Feeding Not Going Well

ERNatynski
ERNatynski CSN Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My father has been tube feeding since surgery in November. Initially it was horrible because he had an infection and couldn't keep any food in (diarreha). He's able to tolerate the food now but can only get 2-3 cans in each day because he feels full and starts to get bile in his throat. He's not maintaining his weight and with radiation therapy I'm afraid he doesn't have enough nutrients to stay healthy. Any ideas of what is causing him to be so full after only eating a little? He eats slowly (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off) but still gets too full to eat. Thanks for any insight you have!

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown CSN Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
    Hello,

    You may want to contact the American Cancer Society's National Cancer Information Center. Cancer Information Specialists are available 24 hours a day and can assist you with your questions. They can be reached at 1-800-227-2345 or by clicking on the "Contact ACS" link at the top of the page.

    Take care and be well,

    Dana
    CSN Dana
  • MEldridge
    MEldridge CSN Member Posts: 7
    #3
    I had the same problem 18 months ago during radiation treatment. (I am a throat cancer survivor) You might want to try using a drip bag set to slow and have him take nourishment over a broader period of time. Sometimes it would take me 4 hrs to get in 16oz of liquid. I hope this helps.
  • jillianjohnson
    jillianjohnson CSN Member Posts: 2
    #4
    I had a feeding tube placed pre-treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and I could barely get anything in my G-tube the most of time it was in place. I had the same problem with the bile in my throat and mouth. Does your father have a port? Eventually I was put on TPN through mine. It worked wonderfully, and I could get the treatment at home. Eventually the tube became useful, but when it wasn't the TPN was a godsend.

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