Can someone please advise...my husband, Jim had a "G-tube" inserted surgically two weeks ago (he was about 3 weeks into his radiation treatments at that time and could not swallow anything but a small amount of water). He remained in the hospital for 3 days to make sure he was recovering well and the tube was working properly...it seemed to be. Things did not go well after he got home: pain, severe constipation, and unable to tolerate the feedings we were prescribed: 400ccs 5 times a day, every 3 hours by syringe. Visiting Nurses came out to help (showed how to do syringe feeding, gave enemas (fun stuff), etc. One week after the surgery Jim was finding it difficult to get his feedings down (reduced to 200ccs) and was very uncomfortable (still no BM) The surgeon ordered exrays of his abdomen but found no obstruction. Jim was vomiting after even a small feeding, couldn't tolerate water via mouth or tube really and we were back to the hospital. He spent 3 more days at the hospital and was feeling much better, getting hydrated, finally a BM, etc, feedings were up to 150ccs/3 hours...then he came home last night and we are back in trouble. It seems that excessive movement (like walking to the bedroom!) makes him sick to his stomach, that and the fact that he is producing so much phlegm or his throat is so swollen that his gag reflex is in panic mode, even clearing his throat can make him vomit. Today we spent 3 hours getting IV hydration and anti-nausea meds at the chemotherapists, but he is still very nauseaous (sp?)
What are we doing wrong here? I'm nearly at my wits end and so is Jim...can anyone give us some suggestions for dealing with the gagging, nausea issues? I am so sorry this is such a long rambling post...Jan