On a liquid diet

Steve5
Steve5 Member Posts: 147
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Now that the mouth soars and getting worse the radiation oncologist has directed me to high calorie liquid intake only - I have a PEG but do not have to use it yet - my question is best time to flush the PEG now - I have been drinking water all day, sucking down milkshake and ensure, when I went to flush and opened the PEG the liquid came pouring out - has anyone an estimate on time waited after liquid intake that would be best - I was doing it routinely around 5 PM a break between some kind of food at lunch and some kind of food at dinner.  Or do I just pinch off the tube, open it, put the syring in and then flush and pinch again to close -

Thanks

Steve

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I just flushed it at my convenience...

    and I kept it pinched all the time, except when I was flushing it, or pouring food down it. 

    p

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #3
    Where's the clamp.

    Really, why don't those things all come with a clamp?

    I'm new to this tube thing (Sept 30)  The one I got first (yes, first) had a clamp.  Still had some accidents with it, but it was easy to flush, meds, flush, food, water, and then flush - WITH THE CLAMP!

    Don't know what went wrong with 1 (leaking at tube site), but 2 didn't have a clamp.  Uggh. 

    Don't know what went wrong with 2 (leaking worse at tube site), but got a new one yesterday.  (I was getting my throat dilated for 2 and 3, so while he was there...) And of course, the one he wanted to use and ordered just for me - came in 2 hours after the procedure.

    #3, no clamp, but 18 hours, and it hasn't slipped yet. At least this one is more flexible than number 2, so it is easy to pinch (actually, fold over and pinch).

    Anyway - be sure to pinch.  Otherwise - it can be quite a mess.  Laughing

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    PEG

    Steve,

    Sounds like you are topping off the tank.  Anyway, make sure you are not in a reclining position (too far back) when using the PEG.  To get maximum available space, flush while standing.  If you are still to full, stop drinking for an hour or borrow a hollow leg.

    The point is, even if you are not using the PEG, daily flushing is recommended.  They do not specify what time of day, do it in the morning when there is maximum volume available.

    Flush on,

    Matt

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #5
    Pinch that sucker, even if

    Pinch that sucker, even if you aren't full. I also found that standing helps and making sure the tube is raised higher than the insertion point. Good luck.

     

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