PEG tube Problems

I strongly believe that a third opinion from another GI would be appropriate in your situation.  I had a PEG tube (never left home without it) for 13 1/2 years, and never had the problems that you are having.  I hope that you can resolve these issues real soon.  For excellent sources of nutrition I recommend Fiber Source HN, and Boost Very High Calorie, which should be available at your local medical supply store, and are hopefully covered by your insurance.

For long term tubers, if your GI gives you the green light to put anything that flows into you tube, like mine did eons ago, I more than highly recommend investing (and it really is an investment) in a Vitamix blender.  We were turned on to the Vitamix by friends after Diane had literally burned out the motors of 5 conventional blenders in the process of blending table meals liquidey enough to go down my tube; it was an arduous, time consuming process.  The Vitamix will liquify anything, including the kitchen sink in 3, that's right three minutes to a consistency smooth enough to flow swimmingly down your tube.  So, for a number of years (I lose track) I have been enjoying the benefits of tubing whatever the family is having at every meal.  Of course one does have to watch out for those calories attached to the death by chocolate cake, I'll have a small slice please.  The blender is pricy, but for folks who have a medical necessity regarding being on a liquid diet, the company (very consumer friendly and helpful) offers a discount on their factory reconditioned models, which come with their standard warranty for all models.  You can check them out on the web and give them a call to find out about the details regarding the discount.

When I am out and about I still rely on Fiber Source HN for my meals, and when traveling or camping I use Fiber Source and Boost Very High Calorie (breakfast).  My weight has always been stable while on the cans for many years, and of course since the blending began.  

PATRICK   

Hard12Find said:

peg problems,

I had issues when my tube was first put in with infection around the stitches, finally got a nurse to do a test and sure enough staph....got it cleaned up, pulled all the stitch remnents myself since they were hesitant to do it, , clean clean clean, and use a q tip to clean more, extrude as much of the drainage as you can, it will get better, after treatment was complete, but was still dependant on the tube, one night at about 10:30 pm, my tube just popped out onto my lap, freaked me out, called the nurse, and was told to go to the ER, so went to the ER, and they had a hard time finding one the same size, and then couldn't get it inserted, I tried off and on for the remainder of the night to put the tube in myself, with no luck, next morning they sent me to radiology where the threaded a small fiber that could be seen on the scope as a guide, and they were able to get the tube in, but it was not much fun, first time you are under general anesthesia, so you wake up sore, second time you will get a topical, but it didn't help much, not meaning to scare you but just sharing my experience, about a month later the second tube came out like the first one did, and I just said screw it, as I had been able to swallow small soft foods, and was less dependant...seemed like it was time to be moving onto food as best I could...Hope yours goes better, lasts longer.....mine was a life saver went from 230 lbs to 140 lbs during treatment, now somewhere around 160 170 and feel pretty good, not much stamina, but working on it....

Remember its just another step in the road to being done with all that crap.....

 

I agree with Patrick Vitamix blender is the best on the market, but if you are like me and travel a lot you need something smaller to carry with you and I found NutriBullet works well. As for PEG tube get a Kimberly Clark Low-Profile Button it will give you your life back so you don’t have that tube hanging on you all the time

Hondo

As a lot of these threads are old I'm not sure how much this will help but I'm posting this with the hope that it will help someone. I myself as a nurse wasn't aware for many years but there is a peg tube (g-tube) called a MIC-KEY button. It's usually used in children however I have many adult patients with it. What's great about it is that it is simply...a button!!!! You only attach the tube when you need to do feedings, meds, flushes which is great since it seems that most complaints that I've seen have said thier problems have came from thier tubes pulling due to gravity. I will add however they work the best when you have a larger Mickey such as a 20 FR or so on. When you go into smaller sizes say a 14 FR. it's not impossible, it's just that they clog easier. Even if you already have a regular peg tu be in they can be changed to a MICKEY. If you have the balloon type simply tell your doctor, ( you will need the order) these are put in the same way. The balloons are filled with sterile or distilled water. If you have the ones in which the disc has to be removed by your physician, they still need to be changed at se point so let them know. Even if it's not time and you are having coplications with the one you have, ask about this option! They are great!! I change my clients in the home every 6 months...

Hopefull2017 said:

Has anyone had a problem with the hole in you stomach not healin
My tube fell out in December 2016 and the hole in my stomach has not closed yet. Anyone else ever had this problem?

I had one that did not close.  I did the grape juice test.  I drank it, and if it came out on the bandage - it is open.

I had to go in for an out patient procedure to get it closed from the inside - via the throat/esophagus.  Went through the GI department, since they are the ones that put it in originally.

Lorna 2007/2014

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