I've had my PEG for about 16 months now and have no real issues with it, but in the last 24 hours I have started to bleed from the PEG site (not alot but I need to have gauze there so my clothes don't stain) and it is tender and a bit swollen. I think perhaps I have an infection there and will go to see my GP tomorrow. Is there anything else that this could be? I have had the same PEG since May 2010 and prior to that was on a naso-gastric tube for nearly 6 months. I use the PEG for at least two feeds a day and try and have thickened liquids at least once a day, although I had aspirational pneumonia about 3 weeks ago.
Thanks Sue.
Sounds to me like an infection. Hope you get itt checked, good luck,
Thanks Cheryl. I also think that it is probably an infection so hopefully anti-biotics will fix it.
You could have pulled it without realizing. Make sure to never lift anything heavier than about 15 pounds. Its not normal to have blood coming out from the peg site. I get some discharge sometimes so I always keep a drain sponge there to absorb anything that oozes. I have some granulation near my feeding tube site that has bled a little bit in the past but it was not big deal. I knew exactly where the blood came from. Yours doesnt sound like an emergency. But I would call your gastro doc first thing Monday morning unless it would get worse then I would suggest you go to the ER.
Sounds like irritation from the tube rubbing to me. I'd put some antibiotic cream on it until I saw the doctor. I sometimes Bleed from the PEG but like Christine, it's from obvious granulation tissue so I just cauterize it with a silver nitrate stick right away.
Your post reads like your PEG is a year and half old - mine only last 5 months - If it is 18 months old, I'd consider getting a new one. One remote possibility is that your stoma has enlarged and you need a larger FR size tube to prevent excess movement (I just heard about this at my last visit to get a new G tube- the doctors say it happens very often - although so far not to me)
First time I ever heard of a 15 lb weight limit to prevent bleeding. Heck, I do bicep curls with a 25 lb dumbbell in each hand (and body weight bench presses) and that has never caused any bleeding or problems.
I sympathize with everyone who has a feeding tube.
Charm
My docs told me to be very careful with picking anything heavy up. I asked them how much I could lift and I was told no more than 15 pounds. I mentioned this to EzJim and he said his doc told him not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Be careful Charm with your weights, I dont want to see you have any problems.
I agree - with what you all said - the thing hat twitted with me was the swelling and tenderness. Often a sign of infection. Maybe you pulled it and now you have a but of infection... Have it checked out for sure and good luck!