Feeding tube patients: What's your experience?

Posted by jwkelly72 @jwkelly72, Jul 23, 2023

I have a G tube in my stomach and am curious about what you tube feed, problems incurred, everything that has worked.. My tube is a permanent part of me and been keeping me alive since mid October last year. It is no different to me than my mouth, throat, esophagus except it doesn't get cancer. It is a Godsend.

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jwkelly72 | @jwkelly72 | Jul 24, 2023

Oh, are you on a specific diet for life

jwkelly72 | @jwkelly72 | Jul 24, 2023

Thank you for your response. I used ISO source (rehab), Vital (hospital)and now Jevity 1.5 at home. My tube is permanent since surgery isn't possible (too stressful on my good side). Won't do radiation, won't do higher levels of chemo because of possible serious common side effects. My feeding tube first popped out mid January after 3 months, I reinserted it myself (caught it before the hole closed and healed. The bladder eventually disintergrated and now duct tape keeps it tight, but I take it out or it still comes out frequently. I'm holding off on surgery replacement due to 3 previous issues from doctors , nurses, surgeons. Will do that when there is no other choice.

Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Jul 23, 2023

I had a g-tube which I used 6 times a day to input ISOSOURCE packets while I could not swallow due to tumor in lower esophagus. I had 28 daily radiation and chemo treatments which eliminated the tumor and I could resume eating normally. One problem I had with g-tube was one day it poped out, and I had to immediately go to doctor to reinsert it. They put me under to do it. No other problems and eventually I had it removed which was easy after no using it for over a month. I did rense it out everyday while I had it. Do you expect to resume eating normally eventually?