Anyone Caring For Someone who Uses A Feeding Tube?

I didn't post anything because all that I've been told so far is that it is normal and "the body doesn't like anything that it doesn't think belongs there." Because I know no one who has experience with feeding tubes long term, I had hoped that someone on this site would either say that this happens to them or that they never had a problem like having the balloon collapse and the feeding tube fall out every three months. I guess we just have to "live with this" and never travel far from a hospital. Thank you for asking, Becky.

My sister is experiencing a similar proble. She is using the Halyard g-j tune with an air filled balloon. Have you had any success?

Thank you for writing. I was beginning to think that we were the only ones having this problem. This is just an assumption on my part, but I'm beginning to think that the balloon type is for short term use because it doesn't take an invasive surgery to install. I've seen one that has a "bumper" that looks like a small box instead of a balloon. It would take out patient surgery to have it installed. We have a call into our doctor's office to schedule this but haven't heard back. Seems like we may need to make an appointment with him in order to get some sort of answer. The weather is icy so we haven't rushed to do this. The balloon type should last until sometime in February if the past is any indication.

If it's a gtube you can change it yourself at home. My son had a gtube for 25 years and life got so much easier when we did tube changes at home. Not for gj tube

@mutter3, does your son still use a g-tube? At the time, did you/he have a choice between a g-tube and gj-tube?

He had his gtube removed one year ago. He had it since he was 2 months old. Part of the time he had a gjtube from age 2-4 Then was on TPN from 4-6. We used elastanet to hold gtube,gjtube and eventually his broviac in place.Lot of trial and error. He has gained 20 lbs since he got his gtube out.

Thank you. We brought up the problem with the gastroenterologist and he has ordered a new feeding tube that should not fall out like the balloon type. Can be replaced while he is awake, which is good. Was told that there won't be a long tube with this one so I assume that a tube will be attached with each feeding and then removed. At this point, all that matters is no more 2:30 am emergency room visits.

The gastroenterologist has ordered a new type that should not fall out because it doesn't have a balloon that can deflate. The doctor says it will be done at the local hospital and will not require anesthesia.