J tube problems!!!!

Donna70
Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has experience with j tubes. I was doing so well and since last week have had a lot of drainage, sometime having to change the pads after 3-6 hrs. The nurse checked it last week during my chemo and it wasn't infected but now over the weekend, it is getting a pink area spreading out from the plastic gasket and more drainage and some blood. I am waiting for a call back from the cancer center, with our big snow here in Baltimore there are not many things open but the nurse is making calls from her house. they say don't manipulate it much but keep it dry and with constant drainage, you have to manipulate it to get the clean bandages on it. Getting tired of this no trouble for 9 wks and now lots of trouble and the worse thing I have to keep it in till Easter. Adding to the pain in my ribs, kind of discouraged. I clean it put antibiotic cream on the stoma which does not look good and then Desitin like my home nurse told me. I don't have her anymore but I might call her, she might tell me something to do. Thanks if anyone has had experience with this. Prayers for all. take care,
Donna70

Comments

  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #2
    Donna
    I would call the DRs on call and tell them what is going on and take your temp. If you think there is a problem go to the ER do not put antibiotic ointment or anything else on it until some one looks at it. If the drainage has any odor of any kind go to the ER. I doesn't take alot for these things to get a bacterial or fungal infection because they are warm and wet and
    don't get much air to them.

    IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE!!!I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER WE HAD A HECK OF A TIME TAKING AL FOR HIS PET CT TODAY AND ARE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE DOCS ON THURS. THAT JUST ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ANOTHER 6-10 INCHES ON THE WAY.

    Please don't let this go to long O.K. Let me know what happens,
    God Bless,
    Kath
    P.S Call an ambulance if you have to.
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #3
    mumphy said:

    Donna
    I would call the DRs on call and tell them what is going on and take your temp. If you think there is a problem go to the ER do not put antibiotic ointment or anything else on it until some one looks at it. If the drainage has any odor of any kind go to the ER. I doesn't take alot for these things to get a bacterial or fungal infection because they are warm and wet and
    don't get much air to them.

    IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE!!!I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER WE HAD A HECK OF A TIME TAKING AL FOR HIS PET CT TODAY AND ARE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE DOCS ON THURS. THAT JUST ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ANOTHER 6-10 INCHES ON THE WAY.

    Please don't let this go to long O.K. Let me know what happens,
    God Bless,
    Kath
    P.S Call an ambulance if you have to.

    Hi Donna,
    Please go have
    Hi Donna,

    Please go have that looked at. I don't have any experience with these feeding tubes, but since it's been 9 weeks and now you are having all those problems. We do have the other storm coming, so please try to have it taken care of. Let us know how things turn out.

    Hugs!!
    Erika
  • dwhite0002
    dwhite0002 Member Posts: 126 Member
    #4
    J-Tube Woes
    Donna,

    I have had j-tubes since Dec. 2006. I keep it because I cannot eat enough, due to nausea, to sustain my weight.

    J-tubes can be a pain. What you are describing is normal.

    It sounds like you have a yeast infection around the site, which is also very normal. You need Nystatin ointment or powder. I use it everyday and it keeps the yeast at a minimum (still not perfect).

    I have had several types of j-tubes, so i consider myself the expert (haha). The round disc did not work for me. It caused more trouble than it was worth. I simply use two drain sponges and then tape over it, while taping the tube to my body. I change the dressing when it starts to itch, or is too wet. Sometimes 2-3 times a day. Its a pain, but you learn to manage.

    I would be happy to talk to you some more if you'd like. You could call me at home. Send me a message or e-mail if you want more information.

    Good Luck,
    David
    Hillsboro, OH
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #5
    dwhite0002 said:

    J-Tube Woes
    Donna,

    I have had j-tubes since Dec. 2006. I keep it because I cannot eat enough, due to nausea, to sustain my weight.

    J-tubes can be a pain. What you are describing is normal.

    It sounds like you have a yeast infection around the site, which is also very normal. You need Nystatin ointment or powder. I use it everyday and it keeps the yeast at a minimum (still not perfect).

    I have had several types of j-tubes, so i consider myself the expert (haha). The round disc did not work for me. It caused more trouble than it was worth. I simply use two drain sponges and then tape over it, while taping the tube to my body. I change the dressing when it starts to itch, or is too wet. Sometimes 2-3 times a day. Its a pain, but you learn to manage.

    I would be happy to talk to you some more if you'd like. You could call me at home. Send me a message or e-mail if you want more information.

    Good Luck,
    David
    Hillsboro, OH

    J tube
    Hi,
    Want to thank you all for your replies. The NP called and has me taking Levaquin in case of infection and I am to see the surgeon this week if we can get thru the snow. I don't have a fever and they just want me to manage it till I see the dr. It doesn't smell so that is good but in the middle of this, have gotten severe hip and back pain which have no idea where that came from, got Taxotere last week and don't know if that is a side effect or it is the Levaquin, had to dose up with loads of pain meds to get thru yesterday afternoon and night. David and anyone else, my email is hoperene@aol.com and I would be glad to have you as a resource. I am glad you have this as a resource for nutrition but boy admire you for keeping it so long. I thought till Easter was too long for me. I already spent 3 wks with a yellow NG tube sticking out of my nose before surgery. I am sorry you have to have the tube that long even with the tube feedings plus eating 6 small meals, not able to gain any sustainable weight and I have an appetite and have to hold back from eating more than the half cup and know how lucky I am. take care and thanks all of you, stay strong.
    Donna70

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