Just when you think things are going to smooth out something has to show up. Last night when I was giving Marvin his last can I went to open up his tube and the little flap that helps you pull the plug out ripped. it is jut barley haning on. I can no longer use it to open it up so it is hard to get it open. My question is will they just cut off another plug with small flap and let me have it or will Marvin have to have a new tube put in. We are though treatments and 1 week into the recovery. They wanted to keep the tube in for 3 more months. We are using the tube for all of his food and water still at this point, they did tell him to start to drinking water but he has a fear of it because of the thick mucus in his throat. Any ideas on the plug problem??

In my experience, they will replace the tube. You need to go back to the doctors that put the tube in for the final call though.

Jim

We were able to get the cap replaced in the ER, but it seemed to depend on them having that particular brand available. I think we called the surgeon's office first when Jack had a problem and he referred us to the ER to get it taken care of.

JoAnne

I have a whole extra piece that goes on top of that which has a much more solid place to put in a syringe and a little spigot-thing (I know there has to be another word for this but I don't know it) below that you turn to block the tube or open it. I got it from the hospital last time I was there and they even gave me an extra if I needed it. If you have this, you won't need ot open and shut the plastic cap you just keep it open (and the other piece is permanently screwed in).

You should NOT need a whole new tube inserted just because of this. You should be able to et this extra thingie somewhere.

This extra piece makes the whole tube a little bulkier BUT way less accidents and leakage since I've had it.

Nellie, I remember that and think it's called a lopez valve. That could just be a brand name but it's basically an adapter for the syringe to fit into and pretty easy to use. It the tube is still functioning then they should be able to solve this problem, it's a matter of getting the supplies. Regards JoAnne

I thought of something else. Call a medical supply store and see if they have any adapters for PEG tubes in stock. If you tell them the issue they may have a solution that could save you some time. JoAnne

I did a search for "Lopez valve" on the web and found this page.

http://www.icumed.com/lopez-valve.asp

The picture they show there is very similar to the dohickey I have. Probably this IS something you could get from a medical supply store, though you might want a nurse to attach it for you, since it has to be really screwed in tight to the tube opening.

Nelie

Nelie

Thanks for taking the time to look up the info for me. I will ask about when we go to the hospital. I called his doctor and they called they called intervention rad. where we had it put in at and they said as long as it wasnt complete broke off and leaking to wait until we come down on monday and they will see how they can fix it. But I will go sooner if it starts to leak. Thanks again to all