Posted By: lvredrock Feeding Tube - 04-28-2010 12:56 AM
I was checking to see if anyone has had problems with there feeding tube. It seems once a week I get an upset stomach and feels like I have a stomach flu. Can anyone tell me if this is normal with using a feeding tube.

Thank you
Posted By: ChristineB Re: Feeding Tube - 04-28-2010 01:10 AM

Several things can cause this with tube feedings. Water down the formula, it could be too concentrated. Second slow down the rate you are fed. No matter which way you are getting your feedings, slow it down to 1/2 of what you currently run it at. You will see it makes a difference. After a week, it can be gradually increased til you are back at the current rate.

Ive had my tube for a long time and have had many different issues with it. What works best for me is doing my feedings overnight with the pump. Its easier than doing bolus or gravity methods. If you dont have a pump, ask your gastro doc for one.
Posted By: Charm2017 Re: Feeding Tube - 04-28-2010 01:15 PM
An upset stomach only once a week? Sounds pretty good for a feeding tube. The longer you need or have to use a feeding tube, the more apparent and constant the problems. Christine's advice about watering down the nutrient formula is spot on.
It's true that both the bolus (medical term for using a big plastic syringe to push the nutrient into the feeding tube) or gravity (filling the bag and letting it drip down into the tube) require more time than hooking up to a pump during the night. However I toss and turn in my sleep plus I have to get up a couple of time to spit out the mucous or else choke to death, so haven't really considered the pump and therefore can not comment on it.
However with 6 to 8 feedings a day, I have developed some coping tricks. First, like Christine suggested, I water down my Jevity. Second, I wear an apron with a slit in it to slide my feeding tube thru so the little accidents and spills don't stain my clothes. Third, I "eat" with my wife, breakfast, lunch & dinner - (this is more a psychological trick to keep up our spirits) and fourth, I had them upgrade me to a larger size feeding tube (16 FR instead of the original 12).
I sincerely hope that your use of the feeding tube is temporary. Most of the posters here who tout the PEG would be singing a very different tune if they had to use it exclusively year after year.
IMO an upset stomach is the very least of any feeding tube problems when compared to leakage, granulation tissue, infection, replacement, blockage,cleaning - each month I discover a new issue. I hope you use is very temporary but Christine and I are living proof that any problems you encounter are surmountable and liveable. Keep swallowing as much as you can, even though you have the tube
I hope your stomach feels better soon
Charm
Posted By: Pete D Re: Feeding Tube - 04-28-2010 09:28 PM
I'm a permanent attachment to my current PEG, and have been for 16 months.

Unless I am trying to take in formula at too fast a rate, I don't have stomach problems. Like Christine, I now prefer to do one continuous feeding overnight.

I find that disconnecting myself from the pump in the middle of the night is no big deal; if I had a pump with a battery, I would just unplug it from the wall and wheel it to the potty.
Posted By: Patcey1 Re: Feeding Tube - 04-30-2010 12:20 AM
I've been using a feeding tube for 7 months with no problems (yet). I agree that watering down whatever you're using would be helpful. You may want to change the formula you are on. What are you using? I make my own formula and it works great for me! I get the fiber, fat, protein and everything else I need every day.
Patey
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