Anyone Caring For Someone who Uses A Feeding Tube?

Posted by Errol, Alumni Mentor @duvie, Feb 19, 2018

Male patient has a catheter as a J-tube. Other than stitches that can be painful, get infected, and break, what is a good way to secure the tube from falling out or stretching the stoma larger which could lead to stoma leakage?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

For a naso-jejunal tube we used Tegaderm. It comes in various sizes (if you buy the big sheets it's cheaper, you just cut the size you need), it sticks like crazy,but is gentle and can be peeled off rather easily. Good luck!

REPLY
@karly

For my husband we use medical tape to secure it and a cloth gauze next to the skin or shall I say in beteeen the plastic and skin then it is all taped down with a cloth tape

Jump to this post

Hello @karly, Thanks for the response. I've been a little slow at getting back to everyone.
How long has your husband been using a tube? Does he have a long dangling tube?

REPLY
@concernedmtnmom

For a naso-jejunal tube we used Tegaderm. It comes in various sizes (if you buy the big sheets it's cheaper, you just cut the size you need), it sticks like crazy,but is gentle and can be peeled off rather easily. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Hello @concernedmtnmom, Thanks for the response. I've haven't used Tegaderm to my knowledge. I say that because I'm not sure of the various tapes on some of the securing devices. I have talked with many people of talk very highly about Tegaderm. I also think it's used for securing TPN (IV) connections to the skin. I like using a barrier spray on the skin before applying tape.
How old is your child?

REPLY

Another Facebook page is Tubie Tips and Tricks

REPLY
@gaybinator

Another Facebook page is Tubie Tips and Tricks

Jump to this post

Hello @gaybinator, I do belong to many sites but Tubie Tips and Tricks is a new one on me. I did join and do a lil browsing. I found it very interesting and I could fit right in. My main site for the past 5 years has been "Oley Foundation-Inspire." Oley does have other sites such as Facebook but I've always preferred Inspire. Some Facebook sites may have a quicker response time than Inspire. I just like posting in multiple groups who have feeding tube patients attempting to reach as many patients worldwide as possible.
You mentioned your husband didn't want to use the pouch due to needing to be washed. We do use the pouch and some are getting old. I wash them by themselves in hot water, soap, & a lil bleach. Throwing them in the dryer they can really stick to one another. I guess I've got about 20 pouches.
How is your husband doing with his tube, feedings, etc.?

REPLY

I am a person with tube feeding J tube
I use a stretchy mesh around my waste to hold tube at a consistent position at waist - stoma level and change the tube every 3 months.

REPLY
@ellareed

I am a person with tube feeding J tube
I use a stretchy mesh around my waste to hold tube at a consistent position at waist - stoma level and change the tube every 3 months.

Jump to this post

Hi @ellareed, How long have you been using the J tube? Is it permanent?

REPLY

@ellareed, Does this stretchy mesh cause the tube to lean to one side when you apply this mesh? Anything that will cause the tube to lean to any side or attempt to get it to lay flatter in hopes of eliminating the bulge it may cause under your clothing can put pressure on the stoma which eventually can lead to stoma leakage. Do you know what type of tube you have? I would like to help you find a better way to secure your tube safely.

REPLY
@gaybinator

Another Facebook page is Tubie Tips and Tricks

Jump to this post

Fortunately, he has learned to use a small amount of water (because fluid restricted -dialysis) with each bite and he is eating moist foods like a horse. He had his last radiation treatment on his neck April 2017. It was the treatment which destroyed what remained of his salivary gland. He tried hard to eat, but could not. He reached 116 lbs in June 2017. The tube was installed on June 24. He is up to 140 lbs! This after we started using real food in the tube, as well as formula.

He ties his in a knot, and it works for him. Works for me that I don't have to wash it.

REPLY
@duvie

Hello @gaybinator, I do belong to many sites but Tubie Tips and Tricks is a new one on me. I did join and do a lil browsing. I found it very interesting and I could fit right in. My main site for the past 5 years has been "Oley Foundation-Inspire." Oley does have other sites such as Facebook but I've always preferred Inspire. Some Facebook sites may have a quicker response time than Inspire. I just like posting in multiple groups who have feeding tube patients attempting to reach as many patients worldwide as possible.
You mentioned your husband didn't want to use the pouch due to needing to be washed. We do use the pouch and some are getting old. I wash them by themselves in hot water, soap, & a lil bleach. Throwing them in the dryer they can really stick to one another. I guess I've got about 20 pouches.
How is your husband doing with his tube, feedings, etc.?

Jump to this post

I don't have a feeding tube, but I feed thru a hickman catheter secured into my chest.Anyone dealing with this?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.