I've noticed on here that several people have nasal feeding tubes instead of stomach tubes. Is there a reason for having one over the other? That's one of my biggest fears -- tubes down my nose or throat. The 45 days I spent in the hospital this last time were the absolute worst. Luckily I was kept sedated the 4-5 times they intubated me, but even after that tube was removed, I still had an NG tube. Which I pulled out three different times (I was heavily drugged and still pulled it out; they finally had to use soft restraints on my hands to keep me from pulling the tube out). I'm absolutely terrified of those kinds of tubes. All three times I ended up in the E.R. and they had to insert NG tubes (because of blockages), they had to sedate me first and apparently even sedated, I'd fight them. I confess I'm worried I'll eventually need a nasal tube, but I don't know under what circumstances that would be necessary.
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nasal versus stomach feeding tube
- By Woeful
- Posted July 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm · 16 replies
- In Home IV feeding (HPN, parenteral nutrition)
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- By Lynee
- Posted July 7, 2009 at 4:14 pm
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woeful, I can tell you that my NG tube was to make sure I could tolerate the g-tube feedings before they inserted it. I had to have it in place for 7 weeks before and it was awful. I didn't want to go out in public because it looked so strange and people would either stare or look away. After about 2 weeks though I decided the heck with them and went out anyway.
They aren't very comfortable and the insertion process was hideous too. the good news is that if this kind of tube works, they can put in a g-tube and that eliminates the need. I have heard, though, of people inserting their own each night to feed - can't imagine doing it myself.
Lynee
- By nmhusky
- Posted July 8, 2009 at 9:36 am
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Woeful,
After surgery to remove the base of my tongue in December '07 I has a tube running down my nose into my stomach. I hated it although I did not try to pull it out (as far as I know). I only had it for about 10 days. They then inserted a PEG-Tube (g tube). Much better. The only issue I had was having it hang up on hand railings and door knobs and the like. They had put a little stitch around the tube and into the skin close to the tube to keep it from moving in or out too far. The stitch soon pulled out and the tube was free to move in or out. It was not painful at all. Just a little irritating. After the stoma (the pathway from your skin through the peritoneum and into you stomach) formed they put in a Mic-key button. It is pretty much flush with the skin and has a twist lock port thru which you put all your nourishment and water. A much nicer way to go. I currently have a Mini One button (different brand than the Mic-key) and really like it. It should be changed out every 6 months or so. Different PEG tubes use different ways to make sure the tube stays inside the stomach and won't pull out. The first tube I had had a little "pig tail" loop that was just inside the stomach. The Mic-key and now my Mini One button have balloons inside the stomach that are inflated using a small syringe. The Mic-key is more of a round balloon and the Mine One has a toroidal shaped balloon. Both are easier on the stomach lining than the loop. If you get a balloon type you will need to make sure it is inflated properly.
I have had no issues with my PEG tube at all. Yes some liquid and gas will seep around the button from the stomach but is easily cleaned with soap and water. I have been swimming and have had no problems.
So bottom line is (in my opinion) that a PEG tube is way better than the nasal tube if you can tolerate them and you don't have other issues that require a nasal tube.
Hope that helped,
Steve
- By LizAA
- Posted July 8, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Woeful,
The nasal tubes are only temporary. They are used to see if surgery is even necessary to put more permanent feeding tubes by seeing if you can tolerate the feedings. This is not a route you have to go though if you'd want to go straight ahead and have the tube surgically placed. (It also depends on your doctor). I know you're on TPN-are you considering moving to tube feeds?
Liz
- By prettykitty
- Posted July 9, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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I had an NG tube in the day of my GJ feeding tube placement and had to keep it in for 3-4 days, so my stomach could heal a bit. I hated having it put in, because it was painful in my nose (it scratched my nose all up inside) and that horrible gagging sensation as they are inching it down to you stomach. The doctor told me that people who use NG tubes only use them temporarly, because of the high risk of them be accidentally pulled out and they are uncomfortable. Even though I didn't pull it out, I couldn't move my head very much, or I'd feel nauseated.
I'd ask your doctor if you could use a regular feeding tube, which is way more comfortable.
Jessie
- By momskids193
- Posted July 9, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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I have a nasal J tube right now to see if my GI can handle tube feeding. The doc wants to try it for a month to 6 weeks. My tube is very small and not to uncomfortable. But when I start vomiting I do vomit up the tube and have to go to ER and get it put back in. That is uncomfortable, but they are good and numbing everything to put it in. I am not sure that a feeding tube is going to do much help. I am still loosing weight, so TPN is being considered.
- By Woeful
- Posted July 10, 2009 at 6:37 pm
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Liz and Steve,
I'm not on a feeding tube. I'm fed via TPN/a PICC line. My stomach tube is strictly a drainage tube. It's just I'd read about people having nasal feeding tubes and got to worrying if that was something I would be facing down the road (like if for some reason my PICC line stopped working or my Hickman catheter got infected, once my doc gets around to switching me to the Hickman).
- By Woeful
- Posted July 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm
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Jessie,
You are so right about that awful gagging sensation/scratchiness. I had an NG tube the 36 of the 46 days I was in the hospital. I actually started crying (in relief) the day they finally removed it.
- By prettykitty
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 2:32 pm
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After 3 days of having that awful NG tube in me, I was practically begging the doctors to remove it. I couldn't hardly move my head, I couldn't talk for long periods of time because I kept feeling nauseated (I think it was because of my vocal cords vibrating against the tube), and I kept having to swallow, because of habit (if soemthing is in your throat, you swallow involuntarilly). Boy, I was thrilled when they finally removed it, though I did have a pretty bad sore throat and scratched up nose for a day.
Jessie
- By Juhint
- Posted July 14, 2009 at 10:31 am
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I had an ng tube for six months before getting my g-tube. Even though I have a really sensitive gag reflex I got used to having it in. I had a small bore tube (FR 8) - which obviously is a lot more comfortable than the larger tubes used for drainage post surgery.
It was very uncomfortable for the first few days and I kept having the feeling of having to swallow all the time as well, but as your brain learns to filter out the feeling of the tube this will get better. It's like wearing glasses - after a while you won't feel the weight of the frames on your nose anymore because your brain learns to filter out that information.
Still I was really glad when I had the ng tube removed because my seasonal allergies had kicked in and then it got really uncomfortable - I couldn't even kiss my fiance anymore without starting to gag :-).
I guess all I want to say is that an ng tube is nothing to be scared of - it is uncomfortable at first, but your body gets used to it.
Still I wouldn't wish it on anybody to have an ng tube for more than a few weeks. If enteral access is needed for more than six weeks - most people will get a g-tube soon anyway - I guess I was a big exception for having my ng tube for such a long time.
Julia
- By benrach
- Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:27 am
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Just joined, and enjoying the discussion. My 21 year old son has CP was recently in hospital for 6 months with pneumonia. He had to have a NG tube put in which kept on coming out, or so I thought... reading how uncomfortable it is to have a NG tube in I can understand now when the nurses 'suggested' that he was pulling it out, I just could not believe he would do it!! As he cannot express himself fully verbally, I assumed that he would get used to it.... he didn't....he has a peg-j put in and after it migrated 4 times it has now settled and he is doing fine.
- By Woeful
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 6:21 pm
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Julia,
Wow, what a trooper. You have my complete admiration. I can't imagine having an NG tube that long without going straight out of my mind. Every time I've had one inserted, I gag/dry heave nearly the entire time it's in.
- By WB
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 6:56 pm
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Hello,
My brother went into the hospital two weeks ago with non-stop vomiting. Durng the course of the past weeks he has had a surgery to bypass an inflamation in his colon which created an obstruction. After surgery he is no better. The doctors now are considering a tube to drain his stomach and a tube to feed him with. I am trying to come up with a plan to help him deal with his situation. I would appreciate any advice that you may have.
Thanks!
- By Arthur49
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 12:47 pm
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Steve; Your info is inspiring, I'm about to get a feeding tube put in. What do you do to prevent water from getting in around the button when swimming? Arthur
- By nmhusky
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm
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Arthur49,
I highly recommend the AMT Mini One button with balloon. It is very low profile and easy to use. The regular g-tube was a real pain for me. It kept hanging up on door knobs and drawer pulls! The button just sits there until you need it. Other wise you don't even know it's there. No matter which brand or style of tube you get there will be a month or so of healing. During which time the stoma forms around the tube. I know that some have had troubles with their tubes (pain and healing issue). I have had no, none, nada problems with mine. It did take time to realize my new normal of not being able to take food by mouth. But that passed and I now do not let it bother me. I go out to restaurants and have them blend what ever i want. Most will accommodate your needs.
When swimming I don't do anything special. Just swim. I did not notice any migration of fluid or gas to or from the stomach.
Good luck with you new tube!
Steve
- By Woeful
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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Benrach,
You can indeed pull your NG tube out, even while sedated. I've pulled mine out every single time I've had them, both while conscious and while heavily sedated (and yes, it HURTS, but my fear of the NG tube is stronger than the fear of the pain of ripping it out). They have to put soft restraints on my wrists to keep me from doing just that. They also have to sedate me to insert them. I'm just completely phobic about them. No one likes them, but some people seem able to tolerate them. I've just never been able to, physically or psychologically. It's so bad it's part of my advanced directive--they have permission to insert an NG tube only for a temporary condition and for no more than 3 months. Anything more than that, I refuse and want nature to just take its course. I'm glad to hear his PEG tube has stopped migrating. That can be pretty uncomfortable too.
- By feeder1
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 4:37 pm
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From what I understand the nose tube is for individuals only needing it temporary.........just go for the peg tube as it is not a big deal at all. My husband had one for 5 years with very little trouble but he does have a GJ tube now which is slightly different, reason for the change was he kept getting aspiration pneumonia as he had throat cancer and his throat was pretty much frozen due to the radiation.
Several years ago when my appendix broke I remember them trying to put a tube in my nose; had 3 male interns holding me down before they were successful and even then I managed to pull it out, it is a very nasty procedure!
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