G tube

ihbgal
ihbgal Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Can anyone tell me the average time of
having a G tube? Also how long until some
energy return after radiation treatments?

Comments

  • garyr
    garyr Member Posts: 27
    #2
    I did not have a G tube, but I had 63 radiation treatments. Your strength will slowly return. It took me close to a year before I felt normal.
    Gary
  • ilevin
    ilevin Member Posts: 24
    #3
    From my experience there is no such thing as "average." I had such bad radiation burn that I stopped eating 4 weeks into treatment and had to be hospitalized. The doctors thought I'd get better after radiation ended and I really didn't want a feeding tube. From the time I stopped eating until they finally put in the tube was almost 3 months (I was in the hospital on IV nutrition and massive doses of pain medication). I had the tube for 3 months so for me the whole non eating experience was close to 6 months. I wasn't eating much in the way of solids (if you can call what I eat solid) when they finally removed the tube but I wax able to drink sufficient amount of ensure to get by without the tube. Looking back I know that I had no choice but to get the tube - I couldn't eat anything, I couldn't take medication - about all I swallowed was bits of water from melted ice chips. Its just one more unpleasant experience in the treatment process. Some people have the tube for much less time and others for longer. My radiation ended in mid-June 2001 and I still don't have my full energy back. Other cancer survivors have told me it takes a year from the end of treatment until they really felt themselves again.
    ilene
  • minnesotamark
    minnesotamark Member Posts: 4
    #4
    I have had my G tube inplace for about 2 1/2 months. It was put in midway through my 38 radiation treatments, and I typically use it for medication and some supplemental tube feedings as I am now starting to eat solid foods again. My treatments ended on February 8th and my energy level is about 60% of where it was when I started. If you are having weekly blood tests done, look at your hemoglobin levels. They are probably quite low if you recently finished radiation. I tracked my progress on a weekly basis and I am getting closer to the normal range, although I am still below normal. Your doctor should be able to give you the results and let you know where you stand. I also was given shots of Procrit which increased my hemoglobin rapidly. You should investigate.

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