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Getting ready for NG Tube Evaluation: What questions should I ask?
I have gastroparesis and CVS, and my GI team has tried all kinds of meds and a Botox injection but I’m still losing weight/can’t manage to eat more than 300-900 calories a day.
I’m scheduled to meet with the ENTAC panel at Mayo for an NG tube evaluation and I don’t know what questions to ask or what to expect.
I really don’t want a feeding tube, but I’m lighter than I’ve been in 17 years and can’t maintain my weight no matter what we try.
Any advice on what to expect or what questions to ask would be appreciated.
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@jdd My dad had a feeding tube because he wasn't able to swallow correctly and the danger was aspiration into his lungs. The liquid nutrition he used was kind of like empty calories with vitamins added; kind of like the brand "Ensure" marketed for the elderly. You may want to ask about the quality of the liquid nutrition that will be available to you. Fats of course are much higher in calories than proteins or carbohydrates. Proteins are also needed for the body to manufacture essential things for life and body functioning. I don't think any of that was close to the organic quality of eating real foods. Proteins need to be broken down into amino acids as building blocks for other things. If you are not digesting proteins properly, you wouldn't be able to use them. I wonder if you could have direct supplements of amino acids that don't need digestion to break them down?
Certainly ask about how to maintain the tube to avoid infections. Over time the stomach can shrink from not receiving bulk foods, and this becomes more complicated. For my dad, that meant a feeding was a slow drip like an IV bag and line connected, and then he had to remain upright so it would not be regurgitated and that went so slow that it was hard to get enough into him in a day. Will you also be allowed to swallow real foods by mouth in addition to tube feedings?
Are you deficient in enzymes for digestion? They sell those as supplements and that could help make more nutrients available for absorption. Have you taken probiotics to maintain gut health? Are you on antibiotics that are killing off your beneficial digestive bacteria?
Will this be a temporary solution and would be removed if you improved? Have they tested you for food allergies or gluten issues or Celiac disease? Celiac disease damages the intestine by reducing the surface area for absorption. Do you have vitamin and mineral deficiencies? Could some things be administered by IV if you are not able to absorb them through your gut?
A feeding tube can also be easily pulled out and may need to be reinstalled. My dad went through that too. Ask about the risks. If it helps that is all that matters. How soon will you have your evaluation at Mayo? Do you need information about the local area or lodging?
@jdd, have you had the evaluation for the nasogastric tube (NG tube)? How did it go?