Jevity vs others for peg

Greend
Greend Member Posts: 678
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
As some of you know I am now using my peg for 100% (no cancer, dealing with long term after affects) of my nutrition but I am also still not as educated as I should be about this pesky little life saver. I have been reading about Jevity on the board for quite a while and assumed it was the "Cadillac" of nutrition so I broke down and bought a case. Need to say that it cost a lot more than the generic "Ensure" I have been using and has fewer calories per can/bottle and nothing I can see much different. Also the plastic bottles are much easier to hold and pour down my tube as compared to a can. Am I missing something and if so what?
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Comments

  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #2
    product choices
    My husband has been on several different supplements throughout his treatment. From Osmolite to Peptin to Jevity to Vital. I believe they are all Abbott products. Their website is very informative: abbott.com I believe. Then you can browse their nutritional products. Jevity was expensive but Vital HN is even more expensive. We just said the right things to jump through the insurance hoops so that they would pay for it. A friend of mine has worked for Abbott for 30 years and has guided us through this. Vital HN is easily absorbed and has a lot of Omega 3 fatty acids. She also has him on Juven which is another major expense but helps to maintain lean body tissue. Guess since we never eat out any more, we can justify expensive liquid nutrition....
    Anyhow, their website will be more informative than I can be!
    Robinleigh
  • sue5749
    sue5749 Member Posts: 170
    #3
    Jevity
    My husband has been on Jevity now for about8 months. This is allhe has had. I pour it right down his tube with no problems. It is very expensive but our insurance pays for it. We had to go on the computer and found a place that pays 100% at first we were buying it ourselves got lucky! It was 55 dollars and then we had to pay for the shipping cost. I think the name of the place where we order it is called Barnes. So maybe you can check it out hopefully your ins will pay for it! Good luck!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Publix Brand
    Denny, I should have had you check out the Publix brand when you were here.

    Publix makes their brand of Ensure that has all of the identical ingredients as best I can tell. Also the same amount of calories, 350/can..all the same amounts of vitamins and minerals...

    Oh, and it's about 30% less cost than Ensure Plus as best I can remember.

    Check out the store brands and compare to Ensure next time your in one of the stores...

    Best,
    John
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Publix Brand
    Denny, I should have had you check out the Publix brand when you were here.

    Publix makes their brand of Ensure that has all of the identical ingredients as best I can tell. Also the same amount of calories, 350/can..all the same amounts of vitamins and minerals...

    Oh, and it's about 30% less cost than Ensure Plus as best I can remember.

    Check out the store brands and compare to Ensure next time your in one of the stores...

    Best,
    John

    Been there and done that
    I think I have used every brand possible. My insurance doesn't pay (I'm hoping the VA will...find out later in Oct). I have no problems with any of them other than I prefer the bottle over cans. I've been using Walgreen's generic for about six months and it is doing fine. I just thought Jevity was more than it is (I did read the web site but honestly assume the ads are like the ones on TV - spray paint for baldness and in fact if you compare ingrediants and nutritional value then Carnation Instant Breakfast is the same. I'll use what I have and just keep on going.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    sue5749 said:

    Jevity
    My husband has been on Jevity now for about8 months. This is allhe has had. I pour it right down his tube with no problems. It is very expensive but our insurance pays for it. We had to go on the computer and found a place that pays 100% at first we were buying it ourselves got lucky! It was 55 dollars and then we had to pay for the shipping cost. I think the name of the place where we order it is called Barnes. So maybe you can check it out hopefully your ins will pay for it! Good luck!

    Limited-
    experience that I have, being some 9-10 weeks back in early-09, with Jevity as my exclusive source of eating, I do remember being told it's okay to substitute it with Ensure for the short-term- this is the only reason I assumed the Jevity could provide better Nutrition when one can only get intake thru a PEG. I never compared the ingredients or overall Nutritional values. I would suggest you do this in great detail, including the amounts of Sugar and Sodium, and Fiber, to see just what difference there is. I would not be surprised to learn that Ensure and Boost are simply the new generations of what was started with Jevity long ago, and may be just as good to use as the Jevity. For H&N, this would be really excellent to know the bottom-line, as Ensure and Boost can be gotten in a number of stores, and it'd be so much easier to be able to use them, than to go thru all the hassles of getting Jevity ordered.

    kcass
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Denny
    When you get it all figured out let me know as I am thinking about getting a PEG to help me gain weight. Right now I just can’t get enough calories in through the mouth and I am getting afraid I will blow away with a strong wind.

    The picture you see of me here is two years ago when I was 180lbs, I am now 154lbs and it is a struggle to keep it.

    Thanks
    Hondo
  • susan0803
    susan0803 Member Posts: 90
    #8
    Hondo said:

    Denny
    When you get it all figured out let me know as I am thinking about getting a PEG to help me gain weight. Right now I just can’t get enough calories in through the mouth and I am getting afraid I will blow away with a strong wind.

    The picture you see of me here is two years ago when I was 180lbs, I am now 154lbs and it is a struggle to keep it.

    Thanks
    Hondo

    TWOCALHN
    I have 1 case left of the TwoCalHn. It is due to expire Sept 2011.

    Could ANYONE on this board use it?

    I would pay for the shipping.

    Please let me know and maybe send me a PM with you address if you are interested in it.

    Thanks.
    Suzanne
  • nwasen
    nwasen Member Posts: 235 Member
    #9
    nutrition
    I used Osmolite which I got thru Walgreens and they delivered. Thankful my insurance paid for most of it as it was not cheap. If you have a local cancer association check with them. Ours here in our small town gives each cancer patient a $100 per month stipend and they supply with a supplement for a discounted price.
    I know while I was on the PEG feedings I sure got great nutrition as my thin weak fingernails became very strong and I SWEAR my night blindness was gone (back now that I am off the PEG tube). All my docs poo hooed the night blindness but I know I could see even at night when it was raining. All bad things do have an upside.
    Good luck with your tube. I loved/hated mine but it saved me from wasting away.
    Peace
    Nancy aka toughcookie
  • nwasen
    nwasen Member Posts: 235 Member
    #10
    nutrition
    I used Osmolite which I got thru Walgreens and they delivered. Thankful my insurance paid for most of it as it was not cheap. If you have a local cancer association check with them. Ours here in our small town gives each cancer patient a $100 per month stipend and they supply with a supplement for a discounted price.
    I know while I was on the PEG feedings I sure got great nutrition as my thin weak fingernails became very strong and I SWEAR my night blindness was gone (back now that I am off the PEG tube). All my docs poo hooed the night blindness but I know I could see even at night when it was raining. All bad things do have an upside.
    Good luck with your tube. I loved/hated mine but it saved me from wasting away.
    Peace
    Nancy aka toughcookie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    Kent Cass said:

    Limited-
    experience that I have, being some 9-10 weeks back in early-09, with Jevity as my exclusive source of eating, I do remember being told it's okay to substitute it with Ensure for the short-term- this is the only reason I assumed the Jevity could provide better Nutrition when one can only get intake thru a PEG. I never compared the ingredients or overall Nutritional values. I would suggest you do this in great detail, including the amounts of Sugar and Sodium, and Fiber, to see just what difference there is. I would not be surprised to learn that Ensure and Boost are simply the new generations of what was started with Jevity long ago, and may be just as good to use as the Jevity. For H&N, this would be really excellent to know the bottom-line, as Ensure and Boost can be gotten in a number of stores, and it'd be so much easier to be able to use them, than to go thru all the hassles of getting Jevity ordered.

    kcass

    Abbot Nutrition Products
    Kent, here you go....

    Abbot Nutrition Products lists many products with the specifics...

    Jevity 1.5

    Ensure Plus

    Abbot Nutrition

    Best,
    John
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #12
    Hondo said:

    Denny
    When you get it all figured out let me know as I am thinking about getting a PEG to help me gain weight. Right now I just can’t get enough calories in through the mouth and I am getting afraid I will blow away with a strong wind.

    The picture you see of me here is two years ago when I was 180lbs, I am now 154lbs and it is a struggle to keep it.

    Thanks
    Hondo

    Good idea
    I was down to 147 last Jan when Dr told me the either get the peg now or I would be too skinny for them to put one in. I think in your case you will love it since you have even more trouble opening your mouth. Now its just a routine thing. I'm using the walgreen generic "PLUS". I get 350 calories per bottle coming out to $6.50 per day by using six bottles a day (2100 calories). Option is to not use plus which is 250 calories but then I use eight bottles. I used the CVS generic but it came in cans and I just don't like using them for some reason - might be some UVD in here somewhere.

    You will love being able to finish a meal in 10 minutes.

    Negative has been that twice I've had to get the tube reinserted at the emergency room. Doesn't hurt but it is inconvient.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #13
    Greend said:

    Good idea
    I was down to 147 last Jan when Dr told me the either get the peg now or I would be too skinny for them to put one in. I think in your case you will love it since you have even more trouble opening your mouth. Now its just a routine thing. I'm using the walgreen generic "PLUS". I get 350 calories per bottle coming out to $6.50 per day by using six bottles a day (2100 calories). Option is to not use plus which is 250 calories but then I use eight bottles. I used the CVS generic but it came in cans and I just don't like using them for some reason - might be some UVD in here somewhere.

    You will love being able to finish a meal in 10 minutes.

    Negative has been that twice I've had to get the tube reinserted at the emergency room. Doesn't hurt but it is inconvient.

    Pros and cons to anything

    I guess as with anything there is good and bad, like you right now I think I need to do something to get the weight back on or like I said I will blow away. I have my next PET scheduled in December if I have not gained anything by then I will get the PEG tube put in.

    Thanks for your advice and help my friend
    Hondo
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #14
    Skiffin16 said:

    Abbot Nutrition Products
    Kent, here you go....

    Abbot Nutrition Products lists many products with the specifics...

    Jevity 1.5

    Ensure Plus

    Abbot Nutrition

    Best,
    John

    john's list
    I'm not computer savvy enough but, John may want to add Vital 1.5 to the list.
    I believe it is one of their newest products and has a lot of prebiotics in it .
    However, it's expensive unless you can get insurance to cover it. We didn't have a problem with that.
    Good luck in your research.

    Robinleigh
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #15
    robinleigh said:

    john's list
    I'm not computer savvy enough but, John may want to add Vital 1.5 to the list.
    I believe it is one of their newest products and has a lot of prebiotics in it .
    However, it's expensive unless you can get insurance to cover it. We didn't have a problem with that.
    Good luck in your research.

    Robinleigh

    Vital 1.5
    It's on the main Abbott List, but here is the link for it;

    Vital 1.5

    JG
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #16
    nwasen said:

    nutrition
    I used Osmolite which I got thru Walgreens and they delivered. Thankful my insurance paid for most of it as it was not cheap. If you have a local cancer association check with them. Ours here in our small town gives each cancer patient a $100 per month stipend and they supply with a supplement for a discounted price.
    I know while I was on the PEG feedings I sure got great nutrition as my thin weak fingernails became very strong and I SWEAR my night blindness was gone (back now that I am off the PEG tube). All my docs poo hooed the night blindness but I know I could see even at night when it was raining. All bad things do have an upside.
    Good luck with your tube. I loved/hated mine but it saved me from wasting away.
    Peace
    Nancy aka toughcookie

    Wasting away

    Yep that is what I fell like sometimes when I try to eat everything I can and weigh myself only to find I lost another pound. I am eating just don’t understand why I am not gaining. I made a muscle the other day or what I think was a muscle when I bent my arm and it was so small I could hardly see it. I need someone to open a jaw of anything for me now, just no back-up straight anymore.

    Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining as I am enjoying life to much, but it should would be good to do things for myself again.

    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #17
    Denny
    To address your original question, though I didn't look at the links, IIRC, the Jevity is a fibre based nutrition and contains like 20 grams or more of fibre. I don't believe the Ensure, or other products contain fibre, or if they do, I do not believe that it would be as much as the Jevity.

    The Juven that was mentioned up there, I think contains the l-glutamine, and a couple of other things that I cannot think of at the moment. I think also it contains Revigor?? I think there is a type of Ensure that has the Revigor as well.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #18
    sweetblood22 said:

    Denny
    To address your original question, though I didn't look at the links, IIRC, the Jevity is a fibre based nutrition and contains like 20 grams or more of fibre. I don't believe the Ensure, or other products contain fibre, or if they do, I do not believe that it would be as much as the Jevity.

    The Juven that was mentioned up there, I think contains the l-glutamine, and a couple of other things that I cannot think of at the moment. I think also it contains Revigor?? I think there is a type of Ensure that has the Revigor as well.

    CorrectoMondo....
    The Jevity on the list is Big Time Fiber based....

    Ensure has Sugar for those of you that have a problem with that.

    JG
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #19
    Skiffin16 said:

    CorrectoMondo....
    The Jevity on the list is Big Time Fiber based....

    Ensure has Sugar for those of you that have a problem with that.

    JG

    CorrectoMondo
    Thank u Fonzarelli!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #20
    sweetblood22 said:

    CorrectoMondo
    Thank u Fonzarelli!

    Hey........
    Sweettssssss......, LOL
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #21
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hey........
    Sweettssssss......, LOL

    John and Sweet
    Thanks for the linx and info. Had wondered about the Fiber angle, which is why I mentioned it. Still drink 2 Ensure for a quick breakfast every morning, without failure, and it does seem to agree with me.

    kcass

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