So what are these sticks supposed to do?

David

Just thank God you don't and won't have to deal with this PEG problem. (Although Technically I don't have a PEG since I had all my feeding tubes done via fluoroscope & surgery as opposed to the E in PEG: Endoscopic -however, the resultant complications like granulation tissue and the actual G tube inserted are all the same as a PEG)
The PEG rubs against the newly forming skin and the irritation halts the normal progression of "granulation tissue" (which forms to heal wound)into normal skin. You are left with "hypergranulation" which is a fancy medical term for a very ugly and painful tissue around the PEG stoma that leaks an icky fluid. The silver nitrate sticks cauterize the granulation tissue. Here is a link to "Dr. Google" with pictures of a PEG button PEG Hypergranulation
Charm

OK, thanks for sharing that!

Just kidding, that's interesting.

The granulation isn't always painful -- It depends on whether or not nerve endings have been extended into the new flesh -- I have some of both kinds.

The sticks are also used to stop bleeding from open blood vessels by burning the vessel closed, kind of like welding them.

Okay, update on using silver nitrate sticks. I waited a little since the hydro cortisone cream had really shrunk the pink "cauliflower" tissue but suddenly it started growing again plus leaking copious discharge. So after triple checking with Dr. Google, I brandished the stick and "painted" the cauliflower tissue after having put a small ring of vaseline around the normal skin. It barely stung, and all seemed well. The tissue melted away into a grey goop.
I rinsed with a little saline solution and congratulated myself.
By nightfall however, I discovered that the dissolved tissue had flowed over the vaseline and down my stomach searing the normal flesh in a big patch. Ouch, I forgot the law of gravity. Two days later, the stoma opening is perfect with a nice silver/grey ring of cauterized tissue but the patch below is still sore.
So next time I know to put more vaseline or an absorbent bandage on the normal belly skin below. Bottom line: I will do it again if it comes back and it was much easier and faster than having a doctor or nurse do it. Now just waiting to see how long it takes to grow back as my ENT surgeon thinks it will be "chronic".
Charm

Round two of DIY G tube maintenance. Taking it more slowly than back in March. Just did partial application of silver nitrate plus used gauze patch to soak up discharge and put big band-aid underneath tube to catch gravity drip off. Will do another session tomorrow but so far so good
Charm

Good for you Charm! Mine just started coming back---grrrr! This time it doesn't hurt as much but bleeds easily and I hate how the goop gets all over the inside of my shirts. I go to MDA in 2 weeks so I'm trying to hold off until then, I might ask for a script of the sticks too, especially of this is something that's going to continue to happen.

Good luck with session #2!

Elizabeth

Thanks. I ended up doing a second application (with a new silver nitrate stick - you get over a 100 with the script)last night before bed and taped gauze securely on the stoma. This morning, the gauze was soaked but unlike last time the rest of my skin just fine. The bulk of the granulation tissue had "melted" so I just Q-tipped it out. It looks great now so I do recommend asking them when you go. Maybe they will even show you how to do it.
My ENT wrote the script because I asked but this was pure DIY on my part as so far the gastro docs at my CCC assume the tube is temporary for their patients and don't have any regular program for us long term G-tubers. Oh well.
Charm
Charm

Thanks for the update and info. My ENT uses the sticks on me every appointment. He probably will give me a couple. Im tired of having this hurting, red, bleeding cauliflower (good comparison) on my stomach. Thanks to your experiments I will know what precautions to take when using it.

Elizabeth, I always wear a drain sponge. Where you get the formula and syringes, they should be giving you those too. If not, take gauze and make a cut 1/2 way into it and put that on. It will soak up anything that might leak. I tape the gauze (not my skin) so it doesnt fall off.

You know what Christine, I totally forgot about the gauze!!LOL I do get them every month, and when I didn't have a problem with the PEG, I would go without it so I guess I better break them out. It must be chemo brain, I completely forgot about them, I just put them in the closet with my other medical supplies.

I'm praying that I will be able to let go of this PEG by my next visit in Sept. I'm eating more by mouth but still lose weight easily if I become to active even with more intake.