Not eating or dinking 6 days after chemo although can swallow. Has a PEG. Start using it?

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buzz99
buzz99 Member Posts: 404
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I could use some advise on what to do for my husband. His appetite has gone to nothing and all he managed to get down yesterday was a scrambled egg and 1 milkshake. He has been asking me to put water in the peg and I have done so. He can swallow still. We have not seen a dietitian about tube feedings but should I start putting Ensure or Boost into the tube? And if so, how much? I am a former RN and so have worked with peg tubes but dealing with a loved one makes all the difference.

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  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    #2
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    Definitely USE the peg!!! As
    Definitely USE the peg!!! As you know from being an RN, hydration is key and we went weekly to the infusion center to get IV fluids from weeks 4-8 of radiation just to keep up. Mike (my other half) started using his PEG 4 weeks in-he's a big guy (6'2 and baseline wt 283) and we were instructed to do bolus feedings of Ensure or Boost PLUS (we used generic CVS Plus because it was a little cheaper). We did 6 cans per day (around 2000 calories) and flushed with 60 ccs of water. Initially I was doing the feedings for him (also an RN) however he eventually did it himself and became quite proficient. I know some people use gravity feedings in bag however the bolus worked for Mike. He lost 63# total and is 3 months post treatment. He still can't eat solid foods but is maintaining his weight w/Scandishakes (600 cal/8 oz milk) and his PEG will come out in the next few weeks. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is KEEP YOUR HUSBAND SWALLOWING. Muscle memory loss happens relatively quickly when the swallowing muscles aren't used and it's hard to re-learn how to swallow and strengthen those muscles. Good luck and know you're not alone!!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    CLRRN said:

    Definitely USE the peg!!! As
    Definitely USE the peg!!! As you know from being an RN, hydration is key and we went weekly to the infusion center to get IV fluids from weeks 4-8 of radiation just to keep up. Mike (my other half) started using his PEG 4 weeks in-he's a big guy (6'2 and baseline wt 283) and we were instructed to do bolus feedings of Ensure or Boost PLUS (we used generic CVS Plus because it was a little cheaper). We did 6 cans per day (around 2000 calories) and flushed with 60 ccs of water. Initially I was doing the feedings for him (also an RN) however he eventually did it himself and became quite proficient. I know some people use gravity feedings in bag however the bolus worked for Mike. He lost 63# total and is 3 months post treatment. He still can't eat solid foods but is maintaining his weight w/Scandishakes (600 cal/8 oz milk) and his PEG will come out in the next few weeks. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is KEEP YOUR HUSBAND SWALLOWING. Muscle memory loss happens relatively quickly when the swallowing muscles aren't used and it's hard to re-learn how to swallow and strengthen those muscles. Good luck and know you're not alone!!

    Hi Buzz


    I agree CLRRN you need to start using the PEG tube and make sure he gets a lot of water each day
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #4
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    CLRRN said:

    Definitely USE the peg!!! As
    Definitely USE the peg!!! As you know from being an RN, hydration is key and we went weekly to the infusion center to get IV fluids from weeks 4-8 of radiation just to keep up. Mike (my other half) started using his PEG 4 weeks in-he's a big guy (6'2 and baseline wt 283) and we were instructed to do bolus feedings of Ensure or Boost PLUS (we used generic CVS Plus because it was a little cheaper). We did 6 cans per day (around 2000 calories) and flushed with 60 ccs of water. Initially I was doing the feedings for him (also an RN) however he eventually did it himself and became quite proficient. I know some people use gravity feedings in bag however the bolus worked for Mike. He lost 63# total and is 3 months post treatment. He still can't eat solid foods but is maintaining his weight w/Scandishakes (600 cal/8 oz milk) and his PEG will come out in the next few weeks. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is KEEP YOUR HUSBAND SWALLOWING. Muscle memory loss happens relatively quickly when the swallowing muscles aren't used and it's hard to re-learn how to swallow and strengthen those muscles. Good luck and know you're not alone!!

    Using the Peg
    Thanks so much the quick response! I need all the help I can get. I purchased some ensure today (the drugstore did not have the higher calorie version) and started with 1/2 can with a water flush of 100cc. I will give him 1/2 can every 2 hours today as he complains of fullness. Tomorrow we see the doctor. I am going to ask for a dietitian consult. He received Cisplatin and Taxotere on Monday and then 5FU over 5 days. I am hoping he feels better in a few days.

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