feeding tube

terryscarlett
terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Should there be an strong odor from the tube? had it for about 6 months now, and just noticed a foul odor around my husband?

Comments

  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #2
    Odor
    Same tube after 6 months? That could be the reason. It should be changed every three months. Check PEG site for redness and drainage. There could be an infection. I would suggest you contact the doctor. Karen
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #3
    buzz99 said:

    Odor
    Same tube after 6 months? That could be the reason. It should be changed every three months. Check PEG site for redness and drainage. There could be an infection. I would suggest you contact the doctor. Karen

    tube
    should be changed every 3 months? I didn't know that, no Doctor has ever told us anything about that!!! It is the same tube for 6 months now. Thanks I will call the doctor right now. Thank you so much. That could be why David feels so sick to his stomach all the time and no appetite. Thank you.
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #4
    terryscarlett said:

    tube
    should be changed every 3 months? I didn't know that, no Doctor has ever told us anything about that!!! It is the same tube for 6 months now. Thanks I will call the doctor right now. Thank you so much. That could be why David feels so sick to his stomach all the time and no appetite. Thank you.

    we had same tube
    we had the same tube for 9months... odor isn't normal.. I would call and have someone look at it.. especially if the odor is new.
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #5
    wifeforlife said:

    we had same tube
    we had the same tube for 9months... odor isn't normal.. I would call and have someone look at it.. especially if the odor is new.

    odor in feeding tube
    I had the same thing, but the odor was only in the top part of tube (where the feeding line goes) and was told by my ENT to use ginger ale and put it thru the feeding tube once in a while.... maybe once a week. The odor I had smelled like spoiled baby formula (which was the osmolite getting stuck in the very top of the tube where the valve is).... have been doing the ginger ale thing for several weeks without any further odors. my tube has only been in for 2-1/2 months but was told it could stay in for 6-8 months or until it leaks.
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #6
    Tube, or me
    Hi Terry, I had my PEG for almost 8 months. Was never told it needed changing unless there was a problem. Odor and discoloration happened with mine, like earlier poster, in the upper tube, the part nearest the stomach. It happened there, in my case, because that was the section of the tube that is not closed off to the stomach when not in use. Stomach contents and gas can back up or remain in that area as it is before the "pinching" device that is opened and closed for feeding. If David has thrown up bacause of stomach upset, that will increase the problem, as stomach stuff usually filled that portion of the tube for a moment when I threw up. Flushing after regurgitation will help.

    Washing the tube well with soap when showering will help the smell. Coke or Seven Up allowed to set in that section of the tube can help to clean it out also.

    best, Hal
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    Hal61 said:

    Tube, or me
    Hi Terry, I had my PEG for almost 8 months. Was never told it needed changing unless there was a problem. Odor and discoloration happened with mine, like earlier poster, in the upper tube, the part nearest the stomach. It happened there, in my case, because that was the section of the tube that is not closed off to the stomach when not in use. Stomach contents and gas can back up or remain in that area as it is before the "pinching" device that is opened and closed for feeding. If David has thrown up bacause of stomach upset, that will increase the problem, as stomach stuff usually filled that portion of the tube for a moment when I threw up. Flushing after regurgitation will help.

    Washing the tube well with soap when showering will help the smell. Coke or Seven Up allowed to set in that section of the tube can help to clean it out also.

    best, Hal

    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES
    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES get changed every three months. I had a tube for 18 months. The ones with the long hose, I had that first one for 9 months. They changed it for one with a smaller hose when they did my first dilation. The ones with the long hose drove me crazy because I could always smell the sour formula smell. I could not stand it. Yes, after vomiting, it was worse.

    The next time I got stretched they gave me the Mic-key button. Sooo much better!!!!! No smell ever. Easy to take care of and no hose in the way constantly. No smell! Had that kind for almost 9 months.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #8
    sweetblood22 said:

    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES
    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES get changed every three months. I had a tube for 18 months. The ones with the long hose, I had that first one for 9 months. They changed it for one with a smaller hose when they did my first dilation. The ones with the long hose drove me crazy because I could always smell the sour formula smell. I could not stand it. Yes, after vomiting, it was worse.

    The next time I got stretched they gave me the Mic-key button. Sooo much better!!!!! No smell ever. Easy to take care of and no hose in the way constantly. No smell! Had that kind for almost 9 months.

    Yes
    My Surgeon said he likes the balloons because of how easy replacements can be. Lady patient he has must have had her's for many years, as her's was converted to the balloon, and has already had replacements three times. Mine- same tube for 15 months with the cup-shaped part in my stomach measuring 15/16" in diameter, and not the kind one would want to have replaced. Smell issues were minor, but I'm a man, and we stink most of the time, anyway.

    kcass
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #9
    wifeforlife said:

    we had same tube
    we had the same tube for 9months... odor isn't normal.. I would call and have someone look at it.. especially if the odor is new.

    Ordor
    yes its new and loud, kind of like spoiled milk..We made an appointment yesterday, but will be the 20th before they can see him, I hate that stuff waiting if it is an infection it will be way worse by then. Doctors!!! They don't care..
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #10
    Hal61 said:

    Tube, or me
    Hi Terry, I had my PEG for almost 8 months. Was never told it needed changing unless there was a problem. Odor and discoloration happened with mine, like earlier poster, in the upper tube, the part nearest the stomach. It happened there, in my case, because that was the section of the tube that is not closed off to the stomach when not in use. Stomach contents and gas can back up or remain in that area as it is before the "pinching" device that is opened and closed for feeding. If David has thrown up bacause of stomach upset, that will increase the problem, as stomach stuff usually filled that portion of the tube for a moment when I threw up. Flushing after regurgitation will help.

    Washing the tube well with soap when showering will help the smell. Coke or Seven Up allowed to set in that section of the tube can help to clean it out also.

    best, Hal

    seven up
    Oh Hal thank you that makes me feel so much better, I will try that and thank you so much for the info. You all are life savers for us..Have a wonderful day.
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #11
    Kent Cass said:

    Yes
    My Surgeon said he likes the balloons because of how easy replacements can be. Lady patient he has must have had her's for many years, as her's was converted to the balloon, and has already had replacements three times. Mine- same tube for 15 months with the cup-shaped part in my stomach measuring 15/16" in diameter, and not the kind one would want to have replaced. Smell issues were minor, but I'm a man, and we stink most of the time, anyway.

    kcass

    Hahahaha
    Thanks for the information and the good laugh this morning Thanks Kent
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #12
    sweetblood22 said:

    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES
    No, ONLY THE BALLOON TUBES get changed every three months. I had a tube for 18 months. The ones with the long hose, I had that first one for 9 months. They changed it for one with a smaller hose when they did my first dilation. The ones with the long hose drove me crazy because I could always smell the sour formula smell. I could not stand it. Yes, after vomiting, it was worse.

    The next time I got stretched they gave me the Mic-key button. Sooo much better!!!!! No smell ever. Easy to take care of and no hose in the way constantly. No smell! Had that kind for almost 9 months.

    Sweetblood
    I think his is the balloon type, has had it 6 months now, We see the doctor on the 20th hopefully they can emove it as he is eating pretty regular now, just hope theres no infection there. It will be way worse by the time we get into the doctor, they said that is the earliest they can get him in....terrible. Thanks for the information. I know I can always come here and get the truth and experience of all you guys, and I love you all. Have a great day Sweet
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #13
    terryscarlett said:

    seven up
    Oh Hal thank you that makes me feel so much better, I will try that and thank you so much for the info. You all are life savers for us..Have a wonderful day.

    7-up or Ginger Ale --- use diet
    Hi Terry & Sweet: If you decide to put something thru the tube, I was told not to use coke because it could discolor the feeding tube (??), so I happened to have ginger ale in the house (diet) and it got rid of the smell immediately.... Like Hal said, 7-up works also. I would at least give it a try so you don't have to worry for 8 days.

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