Vomiting

Can you Bolus feed?
Hi, I didn't have that problem but never tube fed during the night. Could laying down have anything to do with the vomitting? Using the syringe directly into the tube is much quicker and is easily done sitting up? Again if for some reason you can't feed this way just disregard my remarks altogether.

I had problems like that
It will start to get better when the mucus gets better. I had to feed myself more frequently during this time. Call the Doctor and see if he has any suggestions. - Judy

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

loss
I'm sorry for your loss, Rose. The holidays just seem to make it worse.

Hugs.

DrMary said:

Mucus and other causes of vomiting
Mucinex is just guaifensin - you can get it as a generic liquid or pill. Thick mucus can also mean he is dehydrated - we kept up IV hydration for weeks after. We didn't do the tube, but others are giving good advice about what and how to put in it.

With dehydration comes constipation, which can make your gag reflex more touchy - my mother the you-must-move-bowels-daily lady would love to hear me say this, but make sure he doesn't go more than 2 days without going.

The thick mucus will fade - we had about 4 weeks of it (3 at the end of treatment and 1 or so following the end).

Wonderful Pic
As Billy Crystal would say "You Look Mahvelous" - assuming you were on your way to an event, not getting ready to open pressies.

DrMary said:

Mucus and other causes of vomiting
Mucinex is just guaifensin - you can get it as a generic liquid or pill. Thick mucus can also mean he is dehydrated - we kept up IV hydration for weeks after. We didn't do the tube, but others are giving good advice about what and how to put in it.

With dehydration comes constipation, which can make your gag reflex more touchy - my mother the you-must-move-bowels-daily lady would love to hear me say this, but make sure he doesn't go more than 2 days without going.

The thick mucus will fade - we had about 4 weeks of it (3 at the end of treatment and 1 or so following the end).

Vomiting
I used a children's form of liquid Mucinex (and had to use alot for each dosage) and mixed it in with my cans of Two Cal or Boost Plus for pouring into the syringe of the Peg Tube. I "think" it helped, but I had so much mucus for about 6 weeks after the 7 weeks of concurrent chemo and radiation, I didn't think it would ever clear up. It finally did, but we measured progress on how few times I would vomit in a given 24 hour period. As the Mucus decreased, so did those horrible episodes.

Larry

Pam M said:

Wonderful Pic
As Billy Crystal would say "You Look Mahvelous" - assuming you were on your way to an event, not getting ready to open pressies.

About the Pic
I uploaded it and was going to say something, but it took a while to show up. That was from Doug's black tie event for work - my daughters made me buy a new dress and the younger one did my make-up. Doug's tux is one we bought at a tag sale 30 years back - it was vintage then (20's?) and Doug just fit into it. Now it's loose.

I thought it was time to update our look to reality - Doug's picture of us just after he won the championship is still the one he uses to post. There's a good bit of weight change - he lost 35 lbs and I gained about 5. He is winning the race - he was trying to get from 140 to 155 before I could get down from 165 to 155. He has 4 or so more to gain and I have 7 to lose.

This is one contest I don't mind losing. We will still celebrate at whatever weight we both weigh when we cross over.

Hondo said:

Hi Buzz
I too had the problems with thick mucus but was able to handle it with just rinsing two or three times a day, never let it get to the Vomiting part. I use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse, hope you find something that will work for you.

Take care

Happened to me, too
It wasn't violent vomiting, more what I'd call retching.
Either way, it was unpleasant for sure -- but it went away as the mucus went away.
That whole mucus business was hands-down the worst part of the whole ordeal. Thank God it doesn't last.

--Jim in Delaware

buzz99 said:

Mucus
Yes, Buzz mostly has retching or dry heaves. He too says that this problem is the worst part. He does sleep sitting up when he gets his feeding at night but I have added Reglan to his regime and that may help. I also started guaifenesin (generic Robitussin)which comes in a liquid form for adults. I think it has helped! Nice to know this new development does not last. Thanks for all the helpful comments!
Karen (I used to be an RN and now I am a private duty nurse for Buzz!)

About Relgan
Relgan helped us a lot, but be aware that it can take a few days for the full effect. A plus side is that it can also help increase appetite after a few weeks. Since it works by speeding up gastric emptying (as well as increasing motility and helping to strengthen the esophagus muscles) you want to look at his other anti-nausea drugs, as some slow down gastric emptying - no sense in having them conflict. We found Reglan and Decadron were our magic combo.

As you have likely read, it can cause Parkinson-like side effects, some of which are not reversible. We took it for about 5 weeks with no problems - I did watch carefully, however.