PEG tube beinng installed this morning.
Comments
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Well, I remember pain. ThatGreend said:tube
I don't recall any pain but I did get pneumonia from the anesthisa so that may have covered up the other discomfort :>)
You will do fine.
Well, I remember pain. That thing hurt and then the bumper was too tight. I wasn't happy with the one doctor that put mine in. I won't go into that, but it did hurt for a few days and getting out of the car when I came home, holy cow that hurt. I think after a few days I was ok. They gave me pain meds and I took them. I was over being a martyr at that point. Gimme the pain meds.0 -
No pain
No pain at all from the day they put it in til the day they yanked it out. Once the anesthesia wore off I felt fine. Probably shouldn't do any heavy lifting for a while but other then that the only restriction I can remember is not to get it wet for the first couple of days. After that you can shower as usual.
Care is quite simple, wash with soap while in the shower and while washing rotate the plug on the outside of his tummy. After showering pat dry then apply guaze around the outer plug and tape in place if necessary. I used hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip to wash around the tube where it entered the stomach but was told by the doctor who inserted the tube that this really wasn't necessary, just wash with soap and water. Just keep an eye on it for severe redness which may be a sign of infection.
Hopefully now he will be able to get some nutrition into his system and stay hydrated.
Stay strong,
Glenna0 -
Same
Congratulations on getting it installed. Nothing new from the others except regarding the hydrogen peroxide. There is a risk of it following the tube down into your tissue below the skin and causing harm. I was told multiple times not to use anything other than gentle soap and water. I think in the past docs might have recommended the peroxide but no longer. I guess my other advice would be to make your own tube food with a blender and stay away from the corn syrup and maltodextrin in a can that they hand out. This might be too much for you at this time so just do your best to get as many calories in him as he can handle.
Bob0 -
My hubs experience too- &sweetblood22 said:Well, I remember pain. That
Well, I remember pain. That thing hurt and then the bumper was too tight. I wasn't happy with the one doctor that put mine in. I won't go into that, but it did hurt for a few days and getting out of the car when I came home, holy cow that hurt. I think after a few days I was ok. They gave me pain meds and I took them. I was over being a martyr at that point. Gimme the pain meds.
My hubs experience too- & which I found out is due to the stomach being free floating which is now "buttoned" to the skin; so any movement is felt.
Mine had spasms; infections; gas; heartburn.0 -
Spasms - yes. Better if IDaddisgrl said:My hubs experience too- &
My hubs experience too- & which I found out is due to the stomach being free floating which is now "buttoned" to the skin; so any movement is felt.
Mine had spasms; infections; gas; heartburn.
Spasms - yes. Better if I did not let myself get hungry. Infections - None. Gas - yes and owie. Heartburn - yep, killer heartburn. They kept trying to give me prescriptions to make it go away.0 -
Discomfort-adventurebob said:Same
Congratulations on getting it installed. Nothing new from the others except regarding the hydrogen peroxide. There is a risk of it following the tube down into your tissue below the skin and causing harm. I was told multiple times not to use anything other than gentle soap and water. I think in the past docs might have recommended the peroxide but no longer. I guess my other advice would be to make your own tube food with a blender and stay away from the corn syrup and maltodextrin in a can that they hand out. This might be too much for you at this time so just do your best to get as many calories in him as he can handle.
Bob
for the first few days in the tube area, but was acceptable with hydrocodone, then went away. No complications, but daily dressing changes, and I agree with Bob to wash the area with soap and water, rather than the Peroxide I used. I used paper tape, but Sweet's use of a netting does make more sense, as even paper tape can cause skin reactions- though I was spared that problem.
Great to hear you are moving forward.
kcass0 -
UncomfortableKent Cass said:Discomfort-
for the first few days in the tube area, but was acceptable with hydrocodone, then went away. No complications, but daily dressing changes, and I agree with Bob to wash the area with soap and water, rather than the Peroxide I used. I used paper tape, but Sweet's use of a netting does make more sense, as even paper tape can cause skin reactions- though I was spared that problem.
Great to hear you are moving forward.
kcass
My husband had discomfort for a few days after. He didn't have to take any pain meds for it. Just took awhile to get used to it being there. I remember him keeping it covered for the first few days then showering as normal. They should give you intructions on how to care for it. Ask the nurses about it, they printed out a whole sheet for me when I asked.
I think everyones experience is different.0 -
FINALLY
Glad he gave in - I'm sure he'll be glad, too.
I was expecting a day or two of mild discomfort - it was more like pain for me, and lasted longer (when I asked doc if it was because I was heavy, he admitted that heavier patients could expect to experience a greater level of discomfort since more tissue was disturbed). I was in the hospital on pain meds when I got the tube installed
I had issues with the tape (dunno why - never had probs until cancer tx). I ended up buying ID badge clips at WalMart (very cheap), and attached one to my tube. I would clip the tube to my bra (or inside of undershirt when I didn't wear a bra). I always wore an undershirt, so my tube was never exposed when I moved around (except in the shower, where I usually wore a dental floss necklace with the tube clipped to it).
I did come up with an elaborate idea for creating a "kangaroo pouch" to hold my tube away from my body. I thought I'd cut a slit in a couple undershirts, and sew a baby washcloth to the front of each shirt, so I'd have a pocket to hold the tube away from my skin while still keeping the tube from dangling (yeah, thanks, Soccerfreaks - I was paranoid about catching my tube on a piece of furniture or something, and having it tugged out). Never tried it though - using the badge clip worked well enough.
I also had more issues if I went too long without eating or tube feeding - belly growls were not fun. Not painful, just uncomfortable and creepy.
I'm sure you'll be letting us know about him making a huge improvement very soon.0 -
Yeah!Pam M said:FINALLY
Glad he gave in - I'm sure he'll be glad, too.
I was expecting a day or two of mild discomfort - it was more like pain for me, and lasted longer (when I asked doc if it was because I was heavy, he admitted that heavier patients could expect to experience a greater level of discomfort since more tissue was disturbed). I was in the hospital on pain meds when I got the tube installed
I had issues with the tape (dunno why - never had probs until cancer tx). I ended up buying ID badge clips at WalMart (very cheap), and attached one to my tube. I would clip the tube to my bra (or inside of undershirt when I didn't wear a bra). I always wore an undershirt, so my tube was never exposed when I moved around (except in the shower, where I usually wore a dental floss necklace with the tube clipped to it).
I did come up with an elaborate idea for creating a "kangaroo pouch" to hold my tube away from my body. I thought I'd cut a slit in a couple undershirts, and sew a baby washcloth to the front of each shirt, so I'd have a pocket to hold the tube away from my skin while still keeping the tube from dangling (yeah, thanks, Soccerfreaks - I was paranoid about catching my tube on a piece of furniture or something, and having it tugged out). Never tried it though - using the badge clip worked well enough.
I also had more issues if I went too long without eating or tube feeding - belly growls were not fun. Not painful, just uncomfortable and creepy.
I'm sure you'll be letting us know about him making a huge improvement very soon.
Hope things improve minute by minute...the symptoms daddisgirl describes seem to fit my husband's! At this point with the pain your guy has had, hopefully this will be nothing. Take care!0 -
Lets see if I canPam M said:FINALLY
Glad he gave in - I'm sure he'll be glad, too.
I was expecting a day or two of mild discomfort - it was more like pain for me, and lasted longer (when I asked doc if it was because I was heavy, he admitted that heavier patients could expect to experience a greater level of discomfort since more tissue was disturbed). I was in the hospital on pain meds when I got the tube installed
I had issues with the tape (dunno why - never had probs until cancer tx). I ended up buying ID badge clips at WalMart (very cheap), and attached one to my tube. I would clip the tube to my bra (or inside of undershirt when I didn't wear a bra). I always wore an undershirt, so my tube was never exposed when I moved around (except in the shower, where I usually wore a dental floss necklace with the tube clipped to it).
I did come up with an elaborate idea for creating a "kangaroo pouch" to hold my tube away from my body. I thought I'd cut a slit in a couple undershirts, and sew a baby washcloth to the front of each shirt, so I'd have a pocket to hold the tube away from my skin while still keeping the tube from dangling (yeah, thanks, Soccerfreaks - I was paranoid about catching my tube on a piece of furniture or something, and having it tugged out). Never tried it though - using the badge clip worked well enough.
I also had more issues if I went too long without eating or tube feeding - belly growls were not fun. Not painful, just uncomfortable and creepy.
I'm sure you'll be letting us know about him making a huge improvement very soon.
Lets see if I can elaborate-
He was ok from 9/22 until about the 2nd week of November. His stomach hurt in the beginning but from memory it was more discomfort & getting used to it. He was ok as long as he watched what he did. Wearing a seat belt was uncomfortable & he did not return to work because he drives a truck & could not due to the tube discomfort.
He has Lupus- no tape would work on holding the tube end because he'd break out or his skin would rip. He could never let the tube hose dangle because of discomfort. What we ended up doing was similar to Pam & I wish I would have thought about a clip because that makes perfect sense. My hub is very slim- I got a sports bra that does not have cups- so it was really like a short tank top- it was the perfect length to hold the tube up & away. There are ladies camisoles that would work the same as long as there is lycra in it.
At some point he stopped letting me clean it twice a day- we were told to use a solution of 1/2 peroxide & 1/2 saline followed by saline. He was fine as long as we cleaned it with this at night- showering took care of the morning cleaning. Not sure if it's because of his lupus or what but once the skin started to get red again; it never got better & he had granulations on it that hurt. They grew pretty large- & hurt because it's like tongue with lots of nerve endings. He'd have it "burned" off but it continued to grow back.
It seemed that once it got red; he started with stomach pain; gas; spasms. His stomach never felt right with formula; he'd always feel like he was going to puke- I ended up mixing the formula with oatmeal & blending it & as long as it had something mixed with it; he was ok until a few weeks after treatment was done- then everything sat in his gut like a brick & we made the decision to lie that he was eating & had it out. His Dr was fine with it; she also thought it was doing more harm then good emotionally & said if he did not eat they can put one in his nose or put another in; which he did not want so he ate & hasn't looked back.
All of his symptoms went away by 24/48 hours
I always suggest to nip any symptoms in the beginning. From what I read; most have gas; acid reflux0 -
A minor suggestionDaddisgrl said:Lets see if I can
Lets see if I can elaborate-
He was ok from 9/22 until about the 2nd week of November. His stomach hurt in the beginning but from memory it was more discomfort & getting used to it. He was ok as long as he watched what he did. Wearing a seat belt was uncomfortable & he did not return to work because he drives a truck & could not due to the tube discomfort.
He has Lupus- no tape would work on holding the tube end because he'd break out or his skin would rip. He could never let the tube hose dangle because of discomfort. What we ended up doing was similar to Pam & I wish I would have thought about a clip because that makes perfect sense. My hub is very slim- I got a sports bra that does not have cups- so it was really like a short tank top- it was the perfect length to hold the tube up & away. There are ladies camisoles that would work the same as long as there is lycra in it.
At some point he stopped letting me clean it twice a day- we were told to use a solution of 1/2 peroxide & 1/2 saline followed by saline. He was fine as long as we cleaned it with this at night- showering took care of the morning cleaning. Not sure if it's because of his lupus or what but once the skin started to get red again; it never got better & he had granulations on it that hurt. They grew pretty large- & hurt because it's like tongue with lots of nerve endings. He'd have it "burned" off but it continued to grow back.
It seemed that once it got red; he started with stomach pain; gas; spasms. His stomach never felt right with formula; he'd always feel like he was going to puke- I ended up mixing the formula with oatmeal & blending it & as long as it had something mixed with it; he was ok until a few weeks after treatment was done- then everything sat in his gut like a brick & we made the decision to lie that he was eating & had it out. His Dr was fine with it; she also thought it was doing more harm then good emotionally & said if he did not eat they can put one in his nose or put another in; which he did not want so he ate & hasn't looked back.
All of his symptoms went away by 24/48 hours
I always suggest to nip any symptoms in the beginning. From what I read; most have gas; acid reflux
Prior to placement of my peg tube, I would remove my T-Shirt by grabbing the rear collar area of my shirt and pull it over my head. Don't do this when you have the tube in place. Remove pull-overs by grabbing the lower front of the shirt and holding it out from the body, then raising the shirt straight up over your head. This way the tube doesn't get all messed up in the shirt. It's funny, but I've been tubeless for around 13 months, and I still remove my pull-over shirts as though the tube is still there.
Larry0 -
NettingKent Cass said:Discomfort-
for the first few days in the tube area, but was acceptable with hydrocodone, then went away. No complications, but daily dressing changes, and I agree with Bob to wash the area with soap and water, rather than the Peroxide I used. I used paper tape, but Sweet's use of a netting does make more sense, as even paper tape can cause skin reactions- though I was spared that problem.
Great to hear you are moving forward.
kcass
I have a link to a picture here that you can see the netting. It worked well for me. Breathable. Just have to make sure you cut it long enough. A good almost 2 feet for me and I'm pretty tiny or it's useless. I always felt like a pork roast or a leg of lamb putting that thing on. Maybe that just because I'm food obsessed, IDK.
PHOTO OF MY TUBE0 -
Feeding tube
It all depends on the number of rads and chemos and if you have the Neck Dissection. I had 35 rads, 7 concurrent chemos and had a tennis size ball tumor taken out of my neck. I am 7 months out of surgery and still recovering. One suggestion to you. Get a Suction Machine for the Mucositis that you will experience. It is a result of the rads to the head and neck, mine helped me get through the whole thing. I was stage IV-a. I recently read an article that yours and my survival will depend on our will to make it. In the words of the great Jim Valvano---dont give up, dont ever give up. That is the key, my new friend. ATTITUDE will carry you through this whole thing. Go out and eat your favorite meal this week and enjoy it. I still have taste issues. But, hang in there, you will and can make it. Skiffin16 on this site was my inspiration so friend him and he has some excellent insight for you. He was a life saver for me, at my darkest hour, he picked me up and got me through my treatments. Take care and God bless you.0 -
My Bro...finz2lft said:Feeding tube
It all depends on the number of rads and chemos and if you have the Neck Dissection. I had 35 rads, 7 concurrent chemos and had a tennis size ball tumor taken out of my neck. I am 7 months out of surgery and still recovering. One suggestion to you. Get a Suction Machine for the Mucositis that you will experience. It is a result of the rads to the head and neck, mine helped me get through the whole thing. I was stage IV-a. I recently read an article that yours and my survival will depend on our will to make it. In the words of the great Jim Valvano---dont give up, dont ever give up. That is the key, my new friend. ATTITUDE will carry you through this whole thing. Go out and eat your favorite meal this week and enjoy it. I still have taste issues. But, hang in there, you will and can make it. Skiffin16 on this site was my inspiration so friend him and he has some excellent insight for you. He was a life saver for me, at my darkest hour, he picked me up and got me through my treatments. Take care and God bless you.
Hi you, man it's been awhile....hope your are doing well. Are you getting out and about and enjoying that beautiful coast of yours.....
Sure do miss fishing the piers at the fort and sound....
BTW, thanks for the compliment...it was all you brother, I just extended a hand.
Best,
John0 -
He is doing great. Nice toLelia said:Checking in
Hi Arndog, how are things going, both with the PEG and just generally? I think about you every day.
He is doing great. Nice to see him with some energy. Yesterday he was up and doing laundry all day. I told him not to over due it. I think he did, because today his stomach and throat hurts pretty bad. I told him to take it easy and rest because I don't want him getting sick.0
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