You should be using the prescription formulas. Do not start using over the counter things. People who have not had a feeding tube may respond but they do not know!!! Ask your hospitals nutritionist for help. They usually have a stockpile of formula lying around from patients who no longer use it or from the pharmacutical companies trying to get them to push their brand. My nutritionist gave me several cases of formula. Anyway...huge difference between over the counter and prescription kind with it being a complete 'food' with all the nutrients in it.

One big difference between brands is the calorie content. Go for the highest calories. I used two-cal for over a year with good results. I also added a can of carnation very high calorie. The carnation VHC is over 500 calories per can but it is also mainly sugar. Go towards the highest calorie content per can of the prescription stuff. Try to get 3000 calories in him per day and he will feel 100% better. Dont forget to push the water too, at least 48 oz. per day. Sorry dont know the metric conversion but think of it as at least 4 regular sized cans of soda.

As far as Alex's pain and complaining about the feeding hurting and feeling sick. It is a possiblity. Dont just dismiss it as nothing. Have his gastro doc do a CT or MRI to check its placement. I had horrible pain with my tube for a couple weeks. It was so bad it made me cry. Turns out after much begging, they finally scanned the tube and it was dislodged. It ended up being attached to the wall of my abdomin. There are 2 other OCF members that also suffered this agony. Please get it checked.

If he is nasueous, it doesnt mean he has to throw up to feel like that. Fast isnt the best thing to be when it comes to the feedings. Slow down the rate to a crawl of 40 and add extra water. Yes, it will run forever but after a few days, start pushing it faster by an extra 20. Soon he will be back at a decent speed like 160-180 or so and it wont take so long. When the pump runs too fast think of it as trying to force a waterfall of formula into his stomach instead of a normal amount. Of course he will feel sick, his stomach cant process so much at a time. Ive had my own feeding tube for about 2 1/2 years so I do know what he is going thru. I am positive that if you take my advice and do what I recommended, he will feel better right away.

Since its not you as the patient, take a deep breath before you open your mouth and say something that isnt helpful. Being a caregiver is a very very difficult job. Thats why their is a seperate tab for caregivers. There is no possible way for you to completely understand how awful it is to be going thru cancer treatments and how upsetting it is when you feel so bad. It would do you some good to remember to take time for yourself too.

Please keep posting, it helps to vent sometimes. Best of luck with everything.