Long term peg

robinleigh
robinleigh Member Posts: 297
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am wondering at what point does a peg tube need to be replaced? Andy has had his 10 months and I just recently started wondering if there is an "expiration date" so to speak. Don't want any weird germs to invade!

Comments

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
    It's not the germs, but the Merlot
    There have been some on here who have kept them for 2-3 years and I remember reading 15 years???? The material will start to wear out, fade, discolor and just generally begin to fail because of wear and exposure to gastric acids. I'm thinking 10 months is still within the expected usage period of a peg. You will get some good feedback from personal experiences here. For the record mine was in about nine months total with just some discoloration and staining within the tube. Must have been all that merlot.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    GreenD
    Ask Denny, I'm sure he is the resident expert....he's had a tube for several years.

    JG
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #4
    ratface said:

    It's not the germs, but the Merlot
    There have been some on here who have kept them for 2-3 years and I remember reading 15 years???? The material will start to wear out, fade, discolor and just generally begin to fail because of wear and exposure to gastric acids. I'm thinking 10 months is still within the expected usage period of a peg. You will get some good feedback from personal experiences here. For the record mine was in about nine months total with just some discoloration and staining within the tube. Must have been all that merlot.

    You, sir
    are a funny man.
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #5
    ratface said:

    It's not the germs, but the Merlot
    There have been some on here who have kept them for 2-3 years and I remember reading 15 years???? The material will start to wear out, fade, discolor and just generally begin to fail because of wear and exposure to gastric acids. I'm thinking 10 months is still within the expected usage period of a peg. You will get some good feedback from personal experiences here. For the record mine was in about nine months total with just some discoloration and staining within the tube. Must have been all that merlot.

    I hope you didn't buy the
    I hope you didn't buy the expensive stuff.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #6
    Peg tube replacement
    My tube, which was the type inserted beneath the rib and into the stomach and held in place with a bubble filled with saline or some such, was in for four years. However, about once a year the bubble would collapse and the tube would fall out. This required an immediate trip to the ER, so that the hole couldn't close. A temporary one would be inserted until I could be scheduled for a new 'permanent' one.

    With regard to germs, I always had a 2x2 or 3x3 patch around mine (like a huge square bandaid) under which we would apply some sort of ointment, some times even the anti-fungal stuff or the diaper rash stuff, to help the wound, which technically is what that hole the tube goes into is.

    Good luck!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #7
    soccerfreaks said:

    Peg tube replacement
    My tube, which was the type inserted beneath the rib and into the stomach and held in place with a bubble filled with saline or some such, was in for four years. However, about once a year the bubble would collapse and the tube would fall out. This required an immediate trip to the ER, so that the hole couldn't close. A temporary one would be inserted until I could be scheduled for a new 'permanent' one.

    With regard to germs, I always had a 2x2 or 3x3 patch around mine (like a huge square bandaid) under which we would apply some sort of ointment, some times even the anti-fungal stuff or the diaper rash stuff, to help the wound, which technically is what that hole the tube goes into is.

    Good luck!

    Take care,

    Joe

    Tube since September 2010
    My husband has had his tube since Sept 2010 - so about 17 months or so. He does not have the MIC but the old fashioned kind with a bit of tubing coming out of his stoma/hole. I think it LOOKS nasty - stained on inside of tube - and he should have it replaced. HE, on the other hand, says it is just fine. He does his own feeds - bolus - and puts medicine down the thing and only occasionally has a minor clog, so I guess it is fine.

    He is going into the hospital on Monday for surgery and I am anxious for a trained medical professional to see the nasty thing and maybe they will slip him a new one while he's in there, lol. (I doubt it but I can hope)
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #8
    kimmygarland said:

    Tube since September 2010
    My husband has had his tube since Sept 2010 - so about 17 months or so. He does not have the MIC but the old fashioned kind with a bit of tubing coming out of his stoma/hole. I think it LOOKS nasty - stained on inside of tube - and he should have it replaced. HE, on the other hand, says it is just fine. He does his own feeds - bolus - and puts medicine down the thing and only occasionally has a minor clog, so I guess it is fine.

    He is going into the hospital on Monday for surgery and I am anxious for a trained medical professional to see the nasty thing and maybe they will slip him a new one while he's in there, lol. (I doubt it but I can hope)

    ask for one
    with some nice floral print on it:)
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #9
    Skiffin16 said:

    GreenD
    Ask Denny, I'm sure he is the resident expert....he's had a tube for several years.

    JG

    Don't worry about changing it unless something happens. My first tube started leaking around the area where I clamped it each day. Lesson learned was don't pinch it off in the same place each time. I replaced that one with a larger and stiffer tube and that was a mistake. It lasted two months and just fell out one morning. I just replaced one a few days ago (in Mexico of all places). I had actually discussed having it changed before I came down because it was all shriveled up and I just had a feeling it was about to cause problems. Sure enough I got up, had a cup of coffee (drank it) and I suddenly had that warm feeling you normally accociate with ... oh well. Went to the hospital and they drained the fluid from the balloon, pulled it out and had a new one in place in 20 minutes with no pain at all. Be advised that the one you get the first time probably has the "mushroom" holding it in place vs the balloon so when they extract it it is a bit more uncomfortable so I would not touch it unless it starts leaking or you can't seal it after meals.

    Long story made short - if it ain't broke then don't fix it.
  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #10
    kimmygarland said:

    Tube since September 2010
    My husband has had his tube since Sept 2010 - so about 17 months or so. He does not have the MIC but the old fashioned kind with a bit of tubing coming out of his stoma/hole. I think it LOOKS nasty - stained on inside of tube - and he should have it replaced. HE, on the other hand, says it is just fine. He does his own feeds - bolus - and puts medicine down the thing and only occasionally has a minor clog, so I guess it is fine.

    He is going into the hospital on Monday for surgery and I am anxious for a trained medical professional to see the nasty thing and maybe they will slip him a new one while he's in there, lol. (I doubt it but I can hope)

    Tubes
    LOL! That would be a nasty lawsuit you would have too. I had my second one put in in August of 2010. It got really grungy, nasty and a little weakened in spots from the clip so I had mine replaced when I was scheduled for one of my esophageal dilations in November of 2011 so mine lasted 16 months. If his gastroenterologist is available that day, it would be wise of him to have it done all at once.
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #11
    PEG Tube Experience
    Hey robinleigh, I've had my best buddy PEG tube for 11 1/2 years (I never leave home without it)and because I always get the diaphram bumper type anchor, as opposed to the baloon, I go as long as possible in between replacements. My record was almost 2 years between changes. I prefer the diaphram type because it doesn't accidentally defate and slip out which, as you've heard happens at times with the saline filled baloon type.
    I get my tube changed when the flora and fauna inside it become worthy of scientific examination. I delay the change as long as possible, because the procedure is nooooo much fun (yank the old clunker out, and punch the new sporty model in). It always fascinates me to see what the growths will look like,e.g., black, white, brown, etc. I've never suffered any ill effects from the inner tube colonies, and I haven't yet found a way to prevent them. For the first couple of years I used an acidic soda like pepsi or coke to flush it out on a daily basis, and during the flushing I used a foot long pipe cleaner, that I got at a craft store to clean it out. A couple of years ago I discovered a company (Medical Engineering Labratory) on line that makes peg tube cleaning brushes which I have been using. I use both soda, and white vinegar with the brush to clean my tube these days. The little organisims still seem to be undaunted and eventually always grow, but I'm thinking that the periodic cleanings slow them down.
    My motto for what goes into my tube is, "if it flows it goes," and with our Vitamix Blender, whatever my family is having for any given meal can be blended within 3 minutes to a silkey, smooth liquid and then poured down my tube. So, I figuratively eat whatever my family eats. The Vitamix is expensive (I think that they give a discount for people who buy them for medical issues), but I belileve that in the long run, nutritionally it's worth it. When I'm out, I toss a couple of cans of Fiber Source HN down, for a comlete and appetite satisfying meal.
    To keep my tube in place, I tape it to my chest with two pieces of cloth tape (I find that Nexcare works best for me). When I am engaged in a vigorous or sweaty activity, like running, hiking, backpacking, biking, or surfing (pre larynjectomy)I tape my tube, and then don a microfiber, skintight fitting, Heat Gear athletic shirt by Under Armour, which keeps my tube comfortably in place, and I can knock myself out having fun.
    Well, this is my experience with my best bud PEG, and probably a whole lot more information than you were looking for, but hopefully some of it helps. So the short answer (way too late for that) to your original question is that I find that about once a year is par for the course, but certainly, always check with your GI doc for the final word.

    PATRICK
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #12
    much thanks
    great feedback and I feel clear now about it. I will pass the thread on for Andy to read and let him decide if a doc needs to take a look at it. He had his put in when we were at Mayo so, we don't specifically have a GI doc. Hopefully, the oncologist will be able to decide so we don't have an additional doc trip to make. Just way too many doc appointments makes you feel like you are sick or something. LOL
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #13
    robinleigh said:

    much thanks
    great feedback and I feel clear now about it. I will pass the thread on for Andy to read and let him decide if a doc needs to take a look at it. He had his put in when we were at Mayo so, we don't specifically have a GI doc. Hopefully, the oncologist will be able to decide so we don't have an additional doc trip to make. Just way too many doc appointments makes you feel like you are sick or something. LOL

    Robin
    I think we live in the same town. My GI Doc is in Bham and you never know when it will need to be changed. My last two changes (before Mexico)were done at Jackson ER but I must say the folks at the front desk really didn't know what to do. Both times thay wanted to call a surgeon and I had to "discuss" with them the need for a GI doc. They wanted me to see "my GI doc" but the fact is you have apx 12 hours before the holle closes to the point they may have to insert it again through surgery. My next visit per a surgeon friends recommendation will be to Baptist.

    Great info from others...I'm going to investigate the cleaning kit.
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #14
    patricke said:

    PEG Tube Experience
    Hey robinleigh, I've had my best buddy PEG tube for 11 1/2 years (I never leave home without it)and because I always get the diaphram bumper type anchor, as opposed to the baloon, I go as long as possible in between replacements. My record was almost 2 years between changes. I prefer the diaphram type because it doesn't accidentally defate and slip out which, as you've heard happens at times with the saline filled baloon type.
    I get my tube changed when the flora and fauna inside it become worthy of scientific examination. I delay the change as long as possible, because the procedure is nooooo much fun (yank the old clunker out, and punch the new sporty model in). It always fascinates me to see what the growths will look like,e.g., black, white, brown, etc. I've never suffered any ill effects from the inner tube colonies, and I haven't yet found a way to prevent them. For the first couple of years I used an acidic soda like pepsi or coke to flush it out on a daily basis, and during the flushing I used a foot long pipe cleaner, that I got at a craft store to clean it out. A couple of years ago I discovered a company (Medical Engineering Labratory) on line that makes peg tube cleaning brushes which I have been using. I use both soda, and white vinegar with the brush to clean my tube these days. The little organisims still seem to be undaunted and eventually always grow, but I'm thinking that the periodic cleanings slow them down.
    My motto for what goes into my tube is, "if it flows it goes," and with our Vitamix Blender, whatever my family is having for any given meal can be blended within 3 minutes to a silkey, smooth liquid and then poured down my tube. So, I figuratively eat whatever my family eats. The Vitamix is expensive (I think that they give a discount for people who buy them for medical issues), but I belileve that in the long run, nutritionally it's worth it. When I'm out, I toss a couple of cans of Fiber Source HN down, for a comlete and appetite satisfying meal.
    To keep my tube in place, I tape it to my chest with two pieces of cloth tape (I find that Nexcare works best for me). When I am engaged in a vigorous or sweaty activity, like running, hiking, backpacking, biking, or surfing (pre larynjectomy)I tape my tube, and then don a microfiber, skintight fitting, Heat Gear athletic shirt by Under Armour, which keeps my tube comfortably in place, and I can knock myself out having fun.
    Well, this is my experience with my best bud PEG, and probably a whole lot more information than you were looking for, but hopefully some of it helps. So the short answer (way too late for that) to your original question is that I find that about once a year is par for the course, but certainly, always check with your GI doc for the final word.

    PATRICK

    Great info
    I didn't know about the cleaning kit and will look into it because the growth in the tube really gets my wife excited (bad way)and she too wants me to use coke thinking that will clean it up - it didn't.. I still get the balloon because mine have all (one exception) been changed because they leak not from loss of saline. I don't know why but I stopped taping the tube long ago and it doesn't seem to cause any problems. I set my depth number to one higher than the doctor recommended to give me room to wash the area without tugging the tube. Loosening the pressure also stopped the rashes I wold get if the fit was too snug.

    Didn't get a Vitamix but to get the 1200 amp three bladed Ninja and I too eat the same as the family.
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #15
    Greend said:

    Robin
    I think we live in the same town. My GI Doc is in Bham and you never know when it will need to be changed. My last two changes (before Mexico)were done at Jackson ER but I must say the folks at the front desk really didn't know what to do. Both times thay wanted to call a surgeon and I had to "discuss" with them the need for a GI doc. They wanted me to see "my GI doc" but the fact is you have apx 12 hours before the holle closes to the point they may have to insert it again through surgery. My next visit per a surgeon friends recommendation will be to Baptist.

    Great info from others...I'm going to investigate the cleaning kit.

    neighbors
    Yes, Greend! We are neighbors and I appreciate the hospital feedback. Hope we can manage it without an emergency visit! Hope you're doing well.
    Robin
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #16
    Robin
    It depends on the
    Robin

    It depends on the style of tube that Andy has. You should ask his doctors. I had three different types. The last one, with the balloon, needed changed every three months.
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #17
    sweetblood22 said:

    Robin
    It depends on the
    Robin

    It depends on the style of tube that Andy has. You should ask his doctors. I had three different types. The last one, with the balloon, needed changed every three months.

    Which one is #3
    I've had the balloon and the sponge mushroom (first one they put in all G-pegs). Wondering what is behind door # 3?

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