Be very careful with putting Carnation VHC in your tube. It actually stripped me of hydration and I ended up in the hospital because of it. David said to swallow something everyday so the Carnation is very good orally. The tube was my lifeline as well. I lost 60 pounds but can only wonder how much more I would have lost had it not been for the tube. Also keep in mind that if your throat gets too sore to swallow you can get your pain meds in liquid form as I did.