how long to get used to feeding tube?

CynR
CynR Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Tyler had a g-tube inserted 5 days ago. We talked to the nurses from the formula company as well as hospital dietitian. They said to gradually increase amounts of formula and either syringe or IV bags could be used, whatever was tolerated. Things seemed ok with the syringe until yesterday. From Monday midnight til Tuesday evening, poor Tyler threw up the formula, then nothing, intermittently all night and all day. The formula nurse says to cut back on the formula amount and to use the iv bag for slower feeding. I'm wondering how long does it usually take before the patient can get all of the calories in, however they go in? Tyler also started round 2 of chemo Monday (he uses a pump and has a port); he'll return the pump Thursday. Fluorouracil and cisplatin. And his oncologist prescribed metoclopramide to hasten the stomach emptying.
Don't know if the nausea is from the chemo, from too much or too fast tube formula, or both. The cancer center nurse did say each successive round of chemo is usually worse; is that generally the case?
For those of you who have had feeding tubes, how long did it take to get used to them and to the formula? He was also supposed to begin another round of radiation yesterday but cancelled until today. I had high hopes that at least he wouldn't have to lose another 12 pounds as occurred during the last chemo/rad cycle. I hate to see him losing ground again - he never did regain the 12 pounds from the first go round. Thanks for any advice/ideas...
Cindy

Comments

  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #2
    feeding tubes
    Hi Cindy,
    I can't answer about g tubes, I have had a J tube since 12/8 when I had my esophagectomy and am doing chemo now. I hope you have had a good visiting nurse who knows what she is talking about because I would think you always go slow feeding with a bag and a lower drip rate to get the patient used to it. J tubes are different and higher up in the small bowel and my nurses are careful about the rate of flow etc. I have had trouble with my j tube after every chemo treatment and it takes me almost 2 wks to get back to normal, I have much more drainage and got yeast infections around the stoma. If he has trouble with the tube site they might be able to use a special dressing that is like your skin and it protects the skin better around the tube opening etc. Wish I had more to tell you, maybe someone out there with G tube experience could be more helpful. take care, prayers for all.
    Donna70
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • CynR
    CynR Member Posts: 9
    #4
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    using the drip bag
    now, and using less. Tyler's using Isosource - a thickish liquid that has 375 cal/250 ml. And yup, intermittent constipation (partly from the morphine, I think) but so far has been dealing with it pretty well (softeners and laxatives...) So no upchucking yesterday and I hope none today. Today the chemo pump comes off.
    I also wonder about further dilating. He sees the GI doc who placed the feeding tube next Tuesday. The doctor had told me when the tube was placed that he dilated the opening to just big enough for his equipment, maybe 6mm or so, not enough to eat solid food. It hangs up. But Tyler's in a radiation course right now, just 5 times, I think. Is dilating always delayed after radiation? Anyone have experience with how long after? I'm really worried after I read another post here from someone who didn't have pre-radiation dilation and then had the opening close completely and then was told dilating could NOT be done because of complete closure.
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #5
    CynR said:

    using the drip bag
    now, and using less. Tyler's using Isosource - a thickish liquid that has 375 cal/250 ml. And yup, intermittent constipation (partly from the morphine, I think) but so far has been dealing with it pretty well (softeners and laxatives...) So no upchucking yesterday and I hope none today. Today the chemo pump comes off.
    I also wonder about further dilating. He sees the GI doc who placed the feeding tube next Tuesday. The doctor had told me when the tube was placed that he dilated the opening to just big enough for his equipment, maybe 6mm or so, not enough to eat solid food. It hangs up. But Tyler's in a radiation course right now, just 5 times, I think. Is dilating always delayed after radiation? Anyone have experience with how long after? I'm really worried after I read another post here from someone who didn't have pre-radiation dilation and then had the opening close completely and then was told dilating could NOT be done because of complete closure.

    My dad has the G tube and it
    My dad has the G tube and it has been nothing but trouble. He is now having to drink the can stuff now. He's supposed to be taking in 7 cans a day, it's not happening. They are now 2nd guessing themselves, thinking he should have the J tube instead. The area around the tube has been infected 3 times. It's just a struggle. He's not even able to use the tube and it's been about a month or a little over. I really think he should of had the J tube as well and when it was discussed with the Dr. she insisted on the G tube. Hang in there, hopefully things will get better soon!!

    Erika
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #6
    emg09 said:

    My dad has the G tube and it
    My dad has the G tube and it has been nothing but trouble. He is now having to drink the can stuff now. He's supposed to be taking in 7 cans a day, it's not happening. They are now 2nd guessing themselves, thinking he should have the J tube instead. The area around the tube has been infected 3 times. It's just a struggle. He's not even able to use the tube and it's been about a month or a little over. I really think he should of had the J tube as well and when it was discussed with the Dr. she insisted on the G tube. Hang in there, hopefully things will get better soon!!

    Erika

    Erika
    Hi Erika,
    Just jumping in on this post to say that when I was having my j tube troubles they finally referred me to a wound care specialist nurse who knew more than the regular nurses and helped me get a better control of my yeast infections and drainage problems.Maybe someone like that should help your Dad. I wish they had considered the j tube for your Dad, from what I have heard G tubes are harder to manage. Hope your Dad does better for nutrition, drinking 7 cans would be very hard, can he eat at all??
    prayers for all,
    Donna70
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    Donna70 said:

    Erika
    Hi Erika,
    Just jumping in on this post to say that when I was having my j tube troubles they finally referred me to a wound care specialist nurse who knew more than the regular nurses and helped me get a better control of my yeast infections and drainage problems.Maybe someone like that should help your Dad. I wish they had considered the j tube for your Dad, from what I have heard G tubes are harder to manage. Hope your Dad does better for nutrition, drinking 7 cans would be very hard, can he eat at all??
    prayers for all,
    Donna70

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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