Best way to get crushed pills down G-tube into stomach

Logan51 said:

Crystal

What type of pudding? It seems to me that it would be too thick to go down the tube, unless his tube is like the one I will get in a couple weeks. The one I have now is 21" long (for a reason unbeknownst to me that I plan on asking the Surgeon about).

Dave, Sorry I wasn't specific.  Mix crushed meds with water.  Then just add a spoonful or two of any ready to eat pudding.  Thickens the water enough the meds stay suspended in liquid.  No problem running straight thru tube.  Crystal

Have you considering supplementing your formula with blenderized real food? I have had a FT for 4 months now and prior to that had an NG tube for 9 weeks. While on the NG tube it was nearly 100% Ensure Enlive and a little homemade carrot juice on occasion. Once I switched to the G-tube I started real blenderized food and only then was I able to start gaining a little weight back. Now, I still use an Ensure and a Kate Farms formula in the blender mixed with real food to make it thin enough for the tube. If it weren’t for that I would not use much formula except maybe for the convenience factor. As for the pill crushing and all that stuff, I tried several different pill crushers and finally settled for the industrial strength version called the "Silent Night". Its pretty simple and fast. Currently I take lots of meds and some vitamins as well all via the tube. After I crush the meds I put them in a clear plastic cup and add only enough warm water do dissolve the powder. Then suck it up with the same syringe I use for feeding and pump it in. After adding just, a little water a couple more times the cup is clean. 

Also there are some other resources available on tube feeding that can be helpful. Here is just one I found helpful.

https://www.inspire.com/groups/oley-foundation?source=email&utm_source=email&utm_medium=AS&utm_campaign=AS&utm_content=2019-09-29

Good Luck

Mark

Logan51 said:

MGC

Thank you for your response. Remember many others using blender to mix such as you do, but have been wary of doing because I realize how danged small the diameter at the tip of FT is- would have to shoot into FT w/syringe, rather than pour, in my opinion. So, that's why I've just been using the Jevity. Tim/Hondo, for instance, was very detailed in his feeding ingredients.

Update: met w/Surgeon today. Asked him point blank why he installed a 21" tube (my G-tube in C tx was 11"). Said it was so there was excess he could cut off if problems developed! Did not know they could do, and seal would be cool. So, I had him cut off 4-5", and he put the tip section back in without any hassles whatsoever. Told him I had read articles telling of frequent problems w/balloon tubes, and he agreed- So, I am keeping the one put in via the Endoscopy way for as long as I can.

And, just before I left for his Office I got the Boost VHC delivered to my doorstep. 27 for $46 and in a box within a box by Twin Lights Medical, bought on Amazon. Heard of other Sellers sending it that's past the USE BY date. These are good for another year- Oct. of 2020.

Bit of an issue today that I am wondering if others experience: bleeding. Got FT on 8/6 and today is 10/1. Have experienced a lot of gas from air, I believe, that gets into stomach. Very typical for me, but today when I'm changing my clothes I see blood on my shorts, and my stools were not typically good. Has spooked me some, and will certainly be monitoring. Had done nothing different than usual, so...

Also- should I see a GI Dr.? In other words: do you with FTs see a GI Dr.? I've just been winging it w/trial and error, common sense, and what I can find on the net, AND learn on this Forum. And up until today my only complaint has been the inability to get the calories needed with 1.2 Jevities without Aspiration.

Thinking if you Dave and praying you get to intake some good calories and keep them on.  I will continue to pray for you and your dealings with the FT to go smoothly.  I think seeing a GI Doctor might not be a bad idea never thought of that but it makes sense.  Hope all is well and Keep Strong Dave you are doing great with your progress on FT.  VHC should pump in those calories you are needing I think I hope. 

Logan51 said:

Crystal

Will look into TwoCal. As is, I just ordered another 27 of the Boost VHC. Will ask at the Home Supply place about.

10 years and 8 months is a long time...I thought I may have seen a Dietician at the Chemo Dr.s office, and now I'm sure I did (Chemo and Rad are in the same building as the only residents). All I remembered was a lady who told me I needed 2100 calories/day. Dang. The Dietician I did see this time had never even heard of Boost VHC, and brought it up on her computer during our visit to look at the ingredients.

Sad to see you only got it to last 4 years, because I was hoping for it being permanent. Guess I'm naive about such.

Could be the Hospital system did hook me up with a GI Surgeon. I just figured he was a regular Surgeon, but on my visit he sure did know a lot about the different types of FTs- and told me if I have any issues with it to come to him for resolution.

Not sure what kind of FT your Hubby had, but mine has a 1" diameter holding it in place against stomach wall, so I cannot see it coming out. Look on the Expressions page in my Profile- have a picture of the one I have. Was your Hubby's like that, Crystal?

Look on Civil Matt's Expression's page- he has a picture of what mine looks like on the inside of the stomach. And, thanks Matt.

 

Very similar, Dave.  They have not all been exactly the same over the years.  If it should ever leak around opening, Dr can re-inflate balloon.  At least Dr has done for husband.

Crystal