Emotional implications of having a feeding tube

@patriciagsr, I have never experienced what you have. My battles are different. However, I recognize your pain and frustration and want you to know you have my support. I will be watching for updates from you and, hopefully, you will find some answers from this wonderful group of warriors.

Great topic, Patricia. I'm bringing in fellow members @jeffk @deborahe @alpaca @puprluvr and @beanglow, who know first hand about the emotional implications of having to have a feeding tube and all that comes with that, such as the loss of socialization and food. I hope they'll share their experiences and tips for seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

@patriciagsr, I can imagine it must be hard to maintain the discipline to feed yourself even when you're not hungry. Do you also miss the feel and pleasure of having food? Are you the personality type that "lives to eat" or "eats to live"?

@colleenyoung it is VERY difficult to feed myself with discipline. I have a nutritionist who makes my diets so I make my blend in the mornings and know that by the end of the day all of it should have been "eaten". I dont suceed everyday (like today that I am struggling) but try to. I have swallowing therapy 2 hours per day so the therapist is working with me so I can eat again. Very difficult but she makes me taste things and try to swallow, some days better than others, but 100% of my nutrition is through the feeding tube.
My personality used to be "lives to eat sweets", now I dont have any and to be honest I feel much better without sugar.

@patriciagsr My heart goes out to you although it sounds to me as if you will be able to eat again. There is hope. I have had head and neck cancer and can eat only wet, mushy food. Yesterday I had a fit of self pity. I was hungry! But most of the time I'm grateful that I can eat anything at all. Many of my friends are tube fed or went through a long period on the peg.
No more social eating is a nightmare at first, you get used to it and for me a big frothy coffee while other people eat is my solution. I can eat some cafe food but it is messy. I had a coffee a couple of days ago with a woman who is tube fed. I had a coffee, we sat outside, we talked, someone came up and joined us with a big container of chips and offered us some. We explained why we couldn't eat them and an interesting conversation ensued. I hope this friend will one day be able to sip a coffee through a straw!
I'm very interested in your account of the formulas. I was on one for about 7 weeks and had no problem but some people hate them and would like to learn how to use an alternative.
Also interesting is what you say about sugar.
Go well. keep persevering, try to do the non-eating things you enjoy . I hope for a good outcome for you.

Thank you very much Maureen. I have to start going out. I get so stressed that I prefer not to....all the best and thanks again for your words

My name is John Schrader I went thru treatment for head and neck cancer what a nightmare haven't eaten a real meal for 8 months can't taste what little I do eat I live in Brained MN absolutely no support group around Dr are limited at what suggestions to give because they don't have the answers either.

@luckyhunterjs, I have no answers for you, but I want you to know my heart goes out to you. So hard to understand some of what happens in our lives. Best of luck to you. Stay strong.

Thank you capausz

Hi @luckyhunterjs, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It can be a challenge to not have a local support group to meet with other people going through similar things. That's why I'm especially glad that you found Connect and this welcoming online support group.

John, you'll notice that I removed your personal phone number from your message. Connect is a public forum. So we recommend that you don't share your personal contact information or use the private message function to share it securely. But I'd like to point out the benefits of sharing here in the group. By posting here like you did, you have the advantage of getting responses from different people and perspectives.

I'd also like to invite you to follow the Head & Neck Cancer group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/
I think you'll find others going through similar experiences.

What type of cancer did you have? How long will you have the feeding tube?

Probably unwanted but in all the years I participated in forums I frequently gave out my information as did other members. Some people find it easier to talk one on one. Only one member here has my personal information and we enjoy talking on the phone very much. I have found through the years that usually people with more serious ailments come to these forums. There have been trouble makers but they have always been very obvious.
Jake