Feeding tube nutrition suggestions needed
I can not open my mouth to eat or drink so use a g tube. Everything has to be ground with liquid in a blender so that it will flow through a glass cylinder that looks like a turkey baster. I am trying not to use prepared drinks except for Ensure Plus and Electrolytes. I need to gain some weight as I have plateaued so am counting calories but am having challenges finding high calorie things that can be added with liquids that go through the tube. There is only so much liquid I can comfortably consume. Breakfast is usually a cup of oatmeal or cereal with protein powder and some fruit with milk filling a six cup blender. Lunch is often four eggs and a cup of vegetables and water. Dinner is a cup of boiled chicken or fish and a cup of vegetables and broth. I have found the fat in meat clogs the tube. I often add peanut butter or ice cream but need some other options. I appreciate any suggestions.
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Because of my gut pain. I am on a fodmap diet. I find it hard to distinguish what food allergy I might have. But with no gallbladder high fatty foods don’t digest well.
@lauraherbert I have a lot of food issues myself and determined what I could and couldn’t eat with an elimination diet. You can do that within your list of foods. For me, food can trigger my allergic asthma and it goes on my avoidance list. My elimination diet started with just one food, rice, then when that went well for a few days, I added another. You have to get inflammation down with whatever food is safe first before adding another food to it. It takes a long time to figure it out, but you can do it. I had to avoid all seasonings and spices to figure it out because often you don’t know what is in them. It is worth doing. Have your doctors suggested adding digestive enzymes? That would make it easier for your body to absorb if foods are broken down.
No they haven’t I am down to blow 100 pounds now. I’ve been in pain for two solid months without sleeping.
All I do is think of ways to end my life now
I see no point in going on if this is how my life has to be
@lauraherbert, I see your situation has come to a point of despair. It is such a terrible cycle when pain prevents you from sleeping and sleep is what you need to have a clear mind to deal with your health issues.
A feeding tube may be a temporary treatment option. They are not always permanent. You might have home enteral nutrition, also called tube feeding, if you can't eat enough to get the nutrients you need. It sounds like your doctor is concerned that you are not getting enough nutrition and wants to stop the weight loss.
There may be other options and you may wish to ask your doctor more questions like:
- Why do you think a feeding tube is the best option for me at this time?
- What type of feeding tube? (through the nose or the stomach)?
- Do you consider this a temporary solution?
- Are there other things we can try before considering a feeding tube?
- Can you help me manage the pain so that I can get better sleep?
When is your next appointment with your doctor? Is your doctor a gastroenterologist (GI specialist)?