Posted By: betty brown Tube feeding/nausea - 07-04-2002 04:12 PM
My husband has been experiencing constant nausea for over a week and Tigan and Compazine do not help. I've been in daily contact with the doctor to try and get this under control. Now, in reading what others have shared, I'm wondering if it may be because I'm pouring the liquid into a syringe into his tube - I try not to do it quickly, but it still only takes about a minute.

It sounds like others are feeding from a bag, whose speed is determined by the height. Do you need a special type of tube to be able to hook up a bag to it? Do you need an RX to get these bags?
Posted By: Joanna Re: Tube feeding/nausea - 07-04-2002 07:55 PM
Betty, the bags I use come from the same place I get the food. I think any medical supply place will have them. Better still, ask the nutritionist at the hospital. One does not need a special feeding tube. There is a tapered end to the tubing on the bag which slips right in tightly. There is a valve on the bag that regulates the rate of flow. It also helps to sit up straight while feeding. My instructions were to first take in a syringe of water, then the food, then more water. The bag must be changed every 24 hours. I think you are on the right track about slower feeding. Good luck!
Joanna
Posted By: Ilene Re: Tube feeding/nausea - 07-04-2002 10:50 PM
Betty, I had an electric pump that the bag tube fit into to regulate the flow. The first few days I was on the tube feeding they had to run it VERY slow, I probably only finished a couple of cans of food in the whole day. I was able to eventually increase the flow enough to take most of my feeding overnight while sleeping but still at a very slow rate.
Posted By: betty brown Re: Tube feeding/nausea - 07-04-2002 10:52 PM
Thank you for your help! Hugs to all of you!
Posted By: Joanna Re: Tube feeding/nausea - 07-07-2002 04:34 PM
Betty, just one more thing about bag/pump feeding. Make sure to run the food all the way to the end of the line before plugging it into the tube. This eliminates air, which you don't want to introduce into the stomach.
Joanna
© Oral Cancer Support - Survivor / Patient Forum