how exactly does a peg tube work? - Oral Cancer Support

what can you put in a feeder tube? Can you put scandishakes directly into the feeder tube? When people suggest gargling with baking soda and salt with warm water for mouth sores exactly how much of each should you use?
Thank you

Hi, Smitty, I'm sure you will get several answers to the feed tube question. Basically you can put any pureed or liquified food or liquid that will flow through the tube. You just don't want small chunks trying to go down. I don't know how bulky Scandishakes are-you may have to add some milk or water to them. The salt and soda gargle porportions depend on how much water you are going to use. Your mouth may be very sensitive to salt, so start off with 1\8th of a teaspoon and maybe a 1\4th tsp soda to 6 oz. water and see what happens. Good luck. Amy

Hi Smitty,
We put Boost Plus into Charlies Peg tube. But the doctors said, just like Amy mentioned, that anything can do into the tube as long as it is pureed or blended. Just stuff with the most calories and of course water for hydration. But what goes in- can also come out- I have learned from a horrific expierence with cheese- so just be sure to close the PEG tunnel before inserting the siringe.
Best of luck- the PEG will soon become second nature.

Smitty, Don't be shy about experimenting with the soda mixtures. It doesn't take much of chemicals to do the job. Use warm water to make it even more effective.

I live by my peg tube, in fact I'm "eating" right now while typing to you. I grab a big can of Progresso roast beef and potatoes, dump it in the blender, add a can of water, and blend it on high for several minutes. I pour it through a kitchen strainer into plastic jugs and pour it through my peg.

Check into the meal replacement drinks like Ensure, Jevity and others. Get the high calorie version. I buy the generic Equate at Wal Mart. Carnation Instant Breakfast makes a good meal replacement with whole milk. Blend about anything, add lots of water or milk to help thin it. Strain it and pour it in. Bon' appit!!

Be strong, Tom

Thank you for the information everyone.