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Let's talk G-tube!
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.
@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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1 ReactionI'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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1 Reaction@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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1 Reaction@scottfur can you tell.me what Aquiphore is?
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@lilypilly, Aquaphor is a brand name of a multi-purpose healing ointment for skincare.
I have a question about the G-Tube and how one is to keep the exposed tube and feeding port from dangling. I have been laying it to the right side and slightly higher than the where it goes into my stomach and using Medipore cloth surgical tape. This does work but it seems that movement of my arms and trunk disturb the hole and it starts to leak. Is it okay to let it be lower than the entrance to the stomach and tucked into the waist band of my slacks? Also, I use calmoseptine over the area that is very red caused by the leaking. Is there any other product one would recommend.
@omaest
I was never told what to do but I coil mine and tuck it into the waistband. Been doing this for 4 months with no issues or leaking. Just leave a little slack.
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1 ReactionThanks for responding - my tube is really pretty big in circumference and hard to coil.
I've had several problems with my G-tube but gained better health because of it. However what comes next? My first issue was festering in the scar because the surgeon had left something in the initial insertion. That healed was surgically corrected but a few months later the balloon deflated and I had to have the tube replaced. It was replaced by a larger in diameter tube. That tube was fine until again the balloon deflated probably because of age (almost 10 months) and I had to have the entire tube replaced again with a larger in diameter tube. It seems that the larger the tube the more susceptible to leakage. Clothing, arm movement and twisting are causing the tube to move. The area is leaking again and I am awaiting the next size up tube. What happens when there is no other size! In other words, besides a G-tube how will I get nutrition?