PEG TUBE FITTING

biggles1955
biggles1955 Member Posts: 15 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I'm having a PEG Tube fitted on Monday, and am absolutely scared to death. They have told me it's a simple procedure performed under sedation, and yet they insist I stay for 2 nights in Hospital! I understand the rationale about having one fitted at this stage ( 2 weeks into treatment)as an Insurance against not being able to eat properly, but I am so tempted to refuse. How good is the sedation? Do you remember anything? Are you aware of anything, Any Pain? I am really looking for some positive comfort here!!!
Thanks

This post dated 30 June 2012, not as shown on the preview...(January 1 1970) !!!

Comments

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #2
    PEG
    Not sure why they're keeping you in the hospital, but they must have a good reason. I was out before Noon on the morning I got mine (even drove myself home). The Op itself is not a big deal- you're asleep and feel nothing. There is a little discomfort after you get it, which men seem to have less trouble with than women- likely due to our physical difference of the innards. Might wanns take things slow/careful for a couple days.

    kcass
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #3
    Kent Cass said:

    PEG
    Not sure why they're keeping you in the hospital, but they must have a good reason. I was out before Noon on the morning I got mine (even drove myself home). The Op itself is not a big deal- you're asleep and feel nothing. There is a little discomfort after you get it, which men seem to have less trouble with than women- likely due to our physical difference of the innards. Might wanns take things slow/careful for a couple days.

    kcass

    Peg placement
    Hello !
    From what I'm hearing pegs are simple to get in....but what about removal ? Just wanting info in case in my journey leads me to this option again. Knowledge ahead makes the decission less scary. Any good sites to look into this ? Thanks, Katie
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #4
    katenorwood said:

    Peg placement
    Hello !
    From what I'm hearing pegs are simple to get in....but what about removal ? Just wanting info in case in my journey leads me to this option again. Knowledge ahead makes the decission less scary. Any good sites to look into this ? Thanks, Katie

    no problem -- yanked right out
    Kate,
    no worries about removal. I told my onc on an office visit in April, that I was ready to have the PEG removed, and he literally told me to lay down and he yanked it out before I even knew what was going on.....was a little sore for about 2 days and now all I have is a second belly button. not a big deal at all.

    but "don't try this at home" LOL
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #5
    I do not know why you would
    I do not know why you would stay two days in hospital unless you have a medical problem like diabeties or heart problem. You would do better to get it now as it would be harder on you during treatment when the immune system is down. Jim would have died of malnutrician if he had not had a peg. As it was he went down to 159 at one point (he is 6'2'). There was also about 5 months he could not eat anything by mouth because of the taste being really bad. Even water made him sick. He still has his peg 1 year later because he can't eat enough calories to maintain strength and weight. But everyone is different many have had their peg removed within a few months of treatment. I think Jim is the longest to keep a peg of anyone on this board. Removal is not bad either. Jim pulled his out in his sleep one night and didn't notice it till morning. The rough part was the re-insertion of the peg because the stomach closes fast. That was very painful Jim said.

    Praying for an easy time getting it in.
    Debbie
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #6
    peg
    Got mine 02/15 under twilight drug before leaving hospital. Such a relief getting tube out of my nose, I was glad to get it. Only caused a problem once and that was after a couple of months. The stitch holding it in place was pulling. They snipped the stitch and it has been fine since. Today it is just in as precaution. Not at all painful.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    I was already in the hospital when I had mine put in
    but was in for a punctured lung (got that when they did my port). I was glad I was there. You don't feel the surgery, nor remember anything about it...but being in the hospital after you get it put in, means you have access to good pain killers afterwards. Many people, like Kent, didn't have any pain problems...myself, however, was in a lot of pain afterwards...bad cramps....they just kept me knocked out.

    I'm glad I had in put in early, tho...I wouldn't have wanted to go thru that while I was doing chemo, amifostine, and radiation...(hindsight, here...but getting my PEG during all that would have really frosted my cake).

    p
  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #8
    phrannie51 said:

    I was already in the hospital when I had mine put in
    but was in for a punctured lung (got that when they did my port). I was glad I was there. You don't feel the surgery, nor remember anything about it...but being in the hospital after you get it put in, means you have access to good pain killers afterwards. Many people, like Kent, didn't have any pain problems...myself, however, was in a lot of pain afterwards...bad cramps....they just kept me knocked out.

    I'm glad I had in put in early, tho...I wouldn't have wanted to go thru that while I was doing chemo, amifostine, and radiation...(hindsight, here...but getting my PEG during all that would have really frosted my cake).

    p

    PEG Tube
    When my husband's first PEG tube was done, it was outpatient. Then in May when he was starting treatment for another tumor, the PEG tube was inserted and he had to spend 23 hours in the hospital. That's just the way this doctor did it compared to the first PEG tube. The removal of the first PEG tube was done in the doctor's office. He just pulled it out and yes my husband was sore for a couple of days after that but nothing big.

    At first they weren't going to do a PEG tube for this go round but decided to since my husband was still having trouble swallowing after his laryngectomy in March 2011. Sure am glad they went ahead and inserted a PEG tube because he needs it.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #9
    Ladylacy said:

    PEG Tube
    When my husband's first PEG tube was done, it was outpatient. Then in May when he was starting treatment for another tumor, the PEG tube was inserted and he had to spend 23 hours in the hospital. That's just the way this doctor did it compared to the first PEG tube. The removal of the first PEG tube was done in the doctor's office. He just pulled it out and yes my husband was sore for a couple of days after that but nothing big.

    At first they weren't going to do a PEG tube for this go round but decided to since my husband was still having trouble swallowing after his laryngectomy in March 2011. Sure am glad they went ahead and inserted a PEG tube because he needs it.

    Hi Biggles...
    My feeding tube was put in through my stomach wall before I ever started treatments...it became my best friend :) I lost 70lbs in treatment and now have lost a total of 85lbs ...but I was a big guy to begin with.

    My placement went very well and easy. Pain afterwards was moderate to be honest ...but went away rather quickly. Some nausea after placement (guess my tummy was mad) ...but again, went away soon.

    You will be fine and it will go fine ...and you MUST have nourishment while in treatment...so it is a needed step to getting well.

    I whispered a prayer as I typed this for you Biggles! :)

    Best,

    Tim
  • yensid683
    yensid683 Member Posts: 349
    #10
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi Biggles...
    My feeding tube was put in through my stomach wall before I ever started treatments...it became my best friend :) I lost 70lbs in treatment and now have lost a total of 85lbs ...but I was a big guy to begin with.

    My placement went very well and easy. Pain afterwards was moderate to be honest ...but went away rather quickly. Some nausea after placement (guess my tummy was mad) ...but again, went away soon.

    You will be fine and it will go fine ...and you MUST have nourishment while in treatment...so it is a needed step to getting well.

    I whispered a prayer as I typed this for you Biggles! :)

    Best,

    Tim

    Get the Tube!
    By all means, get the tube. I had mine installed before I started radiation treatments and I am SO glad I did. I too was scared to death over the insertion, having watched youtube video's on how it was done, but it was a piece of cake. They start an IV, wheel you into a procedure room, you get a sedative (I got versed) and when I woke up I was in recovery with about 20 inches of tubing sticking out of my gut.

    I was released the same day but did not drive myself home, though I felt like I could.

    I had some after care issues and it would have been nice to have been in hospital for a day or so follow up. I had troubles with tape and blood seepage for a few days. Luckily my radiation oncology nurse asked about it and she set me up with drain sponges, care and cleaning instructions, and a net like bandage called "Spandage" to keep it secured in place. So much easier on my skin than the tape.

    It is normal to be afraid, who wants a tube sticking out of their stomach? Don't be too worried, it will work out so very well and the tube makes life so much easier, especially once your throat starts to really hurt.
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #11
    yensid683 said:

    Get the Tube!
    By all means, get the tube. I had mine installed before I started radiation treatments and I am SO glad I did. I too was scared to death over the insertion, having watched youtube video's on how it was done, but it was a piece of cake. They start an IV, wheel you into a procedure room, you get a sedative (I got versed) and when I woke up I was in recovery with about 20 inches of tubing sticking out of my gut.

    I was released the same day but did not drive myself home, though I felt like I could.

    I had some after care issues and it would have been nice to have been in hospital for a day or so follow up. I had troubles with tape and blood seepage for a few days. Luckily my radiation oncology nurse asked about it and she set me up with drain sponges, care and cleaning instructions, and a net like bandage called "Spandage" to keep it secured in place. So much easier on my skin than the tape.

    It is normal to be afraid, who wants a tube sticking out of their stomach? Don't be too worried, it will work out so very well and the tube makes life so much easier, especially once your throat starts to really hurt.

    Pneumonia
    When they put in my tube they wanted me to stay overnight but I was hardheaded. The next night I was back for a 5 night stay because I got pneumonia from the anesthesia.

    Love my tube and getting it out is nothing to even worry about (I'm on number five right now)
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #12
    yensid683 said:

    Get the Tube!
    By all means, get the tube. I had mine installed before I started radiation treatments and I am SO glad I did. I too was scared to death over the insertion, having watched youtube video's on how it was done, but it was a piece of cake. They start an IV, wheel you into a procedure room, you get a sedative (I got versed) and when I woke up I was in recovery with about 20 inches of tubing sticking out of my gut.

    I was released the same day but did not drive myself home, though I felt like I could.

    I had some after care issues and it would have been nice to have been in hospital for a day or so follow up. I had troubles with tape and blood seepage for a few days. Luckily my radiation oncology nurse asked about it and she set me up with drain sponges, care and cleaning instructions, and a net like bandage called "Spandage" to keep it secured in place. So much easier on my skin than the tape.

    It is normal to be afraid, who wants a tube sticking out of their stomach? Don't be too worried, it will work out so very well and the tube makes life so much easier, especially once your throat starts to really hurt.

    Pneumonia
    When they put in my tube they wanted me to stay overnight but I was hardheaded. The next night I was back for a 5 night stay because I got pneumonia from the anesthesia.

    Love my tube and getting it out is nothing to even worry about (I'm on number five right now)
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #13
    yensid683 said:

    Get the Tube!
    By all means, get the tube. I had mine installed before I started radiation treatments and I am SO glad I did. I too was scared to death over the insertion, having watched youtube video's on how it was done, but it was a piece of cake. They start an IV, wheel you into a procedure room, you get a sedative (I got versed) and when I woke up I was in recovery with about 20 inches of tubing sticking out of my gut.

    I was released the same day but did not drive myself home, though I felt like I could.

    I had some after care issues and it would have been nice to have been in hospital for a day or so follow up. I had troubles with tape and blood seepage for a few days. Luckily my radiation oncology nurse asked about it and she set me up with drain sponges, care and cleaning instructions, and a net like bandage called "Spandage" to keep it secured in place. So much easier on my skin than the tape.

    It is normal to be afraid, who wants a tube sticking out of their stomach? Don't be too worried, it will work out so very well and the tube makes life so much easier, especially once your throat starts to really hurt.

    Pneumonia
    When they put in my tube they wanted me to stay overnight but I was hardheaded. The next night I was back for a 5 night stay because I got pneumonia from the anesthesia.

    Love my tube and getting it out is nothing to even worry about (I'm on number five right now)
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #14
    Hi
    You might check back with your doctor about what will be taking place. A few folks on here got a "G" Tube rather than a "PEG" Tube and the surgical process to install the G tube is a bit more complex. You end up with clips and/or staples for a short while, to keep the tube in place while it heals. I got the PEG, got it three weeks into my treatment, was in and out in half a day, and using it the same day. That being said, it's different for everyone.

    Deb

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