PEG tube feeding question - 8 oz. bolus anyone?

Johnny Mac
Johnny Mac Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi everybody!

First, I wish everybody here as good a recovery as I have been blessed with. I'm sure my "problem" is insiginificant compared to almost everybody here, but it is important to me. I went through the entire chemo/radiation treatment for cancer at the base of my tongue almost three years ago. Complications from that caused enough scar tissue that my esophogus sealed shut. So I have been on a PEG tube since 12/11. I am totally good with it. Kind of like it now in a weird, high efficiency form of consumption way. Which leads to my problem - the little two ounce bolus is a pain in the ****. I would really like something durable in the 8-16 ounce range. Something I can put in my backpack. Does anybody know of a larger container with a small enough funnel for PEG tube feeding? I was thinking of taking a restaurant grade 8 oz. squirt bottle and cutting out the bottom so I could fill that up.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Get well! And never, EVER, give up!

Cheers!

Johnny Mac

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    Hi Johnny

    I was trying to figure out if you were trying to do better than the 2 ounce syringe by replacing it with something that is gravity flow.  Personally, I have found gravity flow to be so slow that i completely gave it up, just relying on the old syringe and pushing in  the entire amount as quickly as I can.  It is a pain, but unless you have a way to speed up gravity, it is still faster than waiting and waiting and waiting. 

     

    Pat

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #3
    I agree with Pat. the Bolous

    I agree with Pat. the Bolous is much faster. My husband was on the slow drip for several months, when we found out about the syringe we were much happier. We were able to do a lot more than with the sloe drip, drip. Congrats on the NED for 3 yrs.

    Debbie

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #4
    PEG tube

    I've been on a PEG tube feed for 8 months for same reason as you. I syringe feed but take out the plunger and pour the bottle contents straight into the syringe base and hold it high. gravity does the rest, take about 15 to 20 minutes to feed then change the syringe base for medication and water. Food goes down faster if you pour in a drop of water with the 'food'. I have two bottles of 'ensure ' at a time three times a day, my weight stays the same healthy weight, has done for the eight months

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
    jackflash22 said:

    PEG tube

    I've been on a PEG tube feed for 8 months for same reason as you. I syringe feed but take out the plunger and pour the bottle contents straight into the syringe base and hold it high. gravity does the rest, take about 15 to 20 minutes to feed then change the syringe base for medication and water. Food goes down faster if you pour in a drop of water with the 'food'. I have two bottles of 'ensure ' at a time three times a day, my weight stays the same healthy weight, has done for the eight months

    No help

    Sorry, no help here but love your positive attitude...it's encouraging!

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