Had this darned thing about two weeks and my stomach sure does not like it much. Everyday I have the feeling of being full, or bloated, and not hungry but still try to eat a "usual" meal. The feeling in general is that nothing is moving. Tried Mylanta and GAS-X, to no avail. Any suggestions??

What is your "usual" meal? H had some problems at first too, asked for a mild laxative which turned into a disaster and left him dehydrated. We're using Benefiber mixed in with Ensure and also pushing water or Pedialyte. Don't know if that will help you but H has had his Peg in for a little over a month and we're just now doing better. Also switched to a gravity feed bag rather than bolus feedings. When he takes it in slower, he does better (doesn't get that bloated feeling)and gets more in.

Dulcolax worked fine for me. Take it in the evening but be careful where you are the next afternoon. LOL . Family Dollar has the exact same stool softner in the same looking box but you get 3 times as many for 1/4th the price.

We switched from Bolus to Gravity. Bolus made him feel too full. Since Jim sleeps most of his day away and was eating less, I decided to increase the colories per can to 500 calories instead of 375 per can. The can of 500 calories was way too strong for him, so we went back to the 375. He is only taking 1500 calories a day. He refuses to take anymore and that really bothers me. He is skin and bones and he breaks my heart. -- Claudia

A couple PEG tips:

If there are digestion problems, try watering it down. Add about 1/2 can water to dilute the formula.

The pump machine worked great for me. I did overnight feedings to help get my nutrition. It made it so much easier to 'eat' while I was sleeping (of course propped on 2 extra pillows). Run the machine very slow to make it even easier to tolerate. I would load it with 4 cans and some water, set it for the night and go to sleep. Then during the day I would only need 1 or 2 cans and water.

What type of liquid food is he using? Does it have the prebiotics and fiber?

I was not comfortable with my feedings until after I came home from surgery even though the PEG was installed prior to that when I started chemo. I find now that when I eat regular food a small amount will sometimes make me feel very full. I also find that some foods make my stomach uncomfortable. I am still using the PEG for most of my nutrition while I learn to eat.

I hope that it improves.

Patty

I am a newbie with the PEG but a grizzled veteran of the radiation/chemo pain killer constipation blues and cheap OTC generic suppositories worked better than any laxative even the prescription ones both then and now Gravity also works for me rather than bolus.

I only used a syringe (50 ml) which took several loadings. 50 ml at a time is just a tad less than 2 ounces.
I never tried this laying down and this may be part of the problem too, you should sit or (stand).

M

John,

My case was similar to yours and my first and only symptom was a oval or egg shaped mass on the right side of my neck, just below my right ear. I am now going on 3 years clean and am sure you will take the same path.

You mention your PEG and also refer to things "not moving". If you are referring to constipation, "I can hear you brother"! I am a well worn veteran of that ride while I was in Tx. It was brought about by the pain meds and I followed the instructions of my Tx staff with stool softener and a vegetable type laxative as needed. That's the best advice I can pass along (no pun intended) to you in that arena.

Bill Dozier

Where else can you chat about constipation? What a topic!!! Its a shame how many things affect OC patients. A tip that works for the "big C" is pineapple juice. Its a natural laxative.

Pineapple juice would be good if your mouth and tongue can handle it. My just doesn't agree with me drinking most fruit juices. By the way, I know another guy that was constpated all week. When I finally got to. I lost 3 lbs in one sitting LOL It makes you feel that you might go to the great beyond.

Pineapple juice works the best when put down the PEG tube

Dont have to worry about it burning your mouth.