Let's talk G-tube!

Posted by Julie H @jkhagen1, May 22 9:12pm

I've searched the Mayo forums for ideas and can't seem to find anything. I am really struggling with granular tissue/granuloma forming around my g-tube. I am literally visiting a nurse every week to have it cauterized with silver nitrate. I resorted to "Dr. Google" and found a few things to try. Has anyone tried and had luck with any of the following? I'm brave, but some of this stuff seems a little nuts. 1. sprinkling table salt on granuloma, letting is sit for 10 minutes daily (this one is actually presented as effective in the journal for wound care).; 2. Tea tree oil; 3. Nystop powder (but I don't think I have a fungal infection) 4. Nasacort AQ (yes, nasal spray) seems weird, but a few folx swear by it. I would prefer to just yank this stupid thing out, but currently not able to get enough nourishment.

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FINAL UPDATE: I experienced excrutiating pain (8/9 on a scale of 10) for 18 hours and insisted the G-tube be removed. I just couldn't handle it anymore. There was no sign of infection and 24 hours later the stoma is 90% closed. I'll just say this -I completely understand why my medical team strongly urged me to get the tube- but if I had it to do over again, I think I would pass. After reading a few posts here and on other forums, It looks like I'm an outlier. The combination of muscle spasms, nausea from the formula, granulation tissue, leakage, pain and overall lack of appetite (I always felt full) put me over the edge. I feel 1000% better now that it's gone and I actually want to eat because I feel hungry and I'm not worried about nausea after "feeding." Thanks for listening. By far, this has been the worst/most painful part of my cancer journey.

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Profile picture for Julie H @jkhagen1

UPDATE!! YAY! I tried a tip I found on the OLEY foundation forum (https://oley.org/). Apparently, Kenalog cream/ointment (Triamcinolone Acetonide .1%) helps minimize the granulation. I happened to have this on hand, so I tried it. Nearly immediate relief/shrinkage of the tissue. I've applied it twice (night and morning) and the discomfort is gone, and the tissue is about 50% smaller.

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@jkhagen1

I've had a gtube for 14 years. For the lingest time. I hd granu;ation isses. I startd applying Aquiphore around the tube and apply a cut 4x4, which cl;eared it after a while. No pain at now!

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I've had a gtube for 14 years. For the lingest time. I hd granu;ation isses. I startd applying Aquiphore around the tube and apply a cut 4x4, which cl;eared it after a while. No pain at now!

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Profile picture for Julie H @jkhagen1

@colleenyoung Unfortunately no solution to the granulation irritation - I guess I'm just one of those patients. Thanks for this link. I *hope* I'm turning a corner. My taste is coming back and every week I see progress in swallowing. I am also finally accepting that this healing process is not linear. 90-day PET scan on Monday and hope to have a "cancer free" reading.

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@jkha I've had a gtube for 14 years. For the lingest time. I hd granu;ation isses. I startd applying Aquiphore around the tube and apply a cut 4x4, which cl;eared it after a while. No pain at now!gen1

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Profile picture for scottfur @scottfur

I've had a gtube for 14 years. For the lingest time. I hd granu;ation isses. I startd applying Aquiphore around the tube and apply a cut 4x4, which cl;eared it after a while. No pain at now!

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@scottfur can you tell.me what Aquiphore is?
TY

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Profile picture for lilypilly @lilypilly

@scottfur can you tell.me what Aquiphore is?
TY

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@lilypilly, Aquaphor is a brand name of a multi-purpose healing ointment for skincare.

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