problems with clogged j-tube/buttonclogged

• By angjenn
• Reply 376377
• May 5, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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MY DAUGHTER HAS A G-J TUBE MICKEY BUTTON. IT DOES CLOG AT TIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FIRST PRAY, THEN I USE SPRITE, AND THAT WORKS WELL. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULDN'T UNCLOG, BUT IT DID.

• By Guardian-Angel (Inactive)
• Reply 377453
• May 6, 2009 at 12:48 pm
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Ask your doctor about a product called Clog Zapper. You can find out about it on the Internet. It's made up of an enzyme mixture and designed to clear blockages just like Draino. It's about $25 plus shipping. Sorry I can't think of the manufacturer's name.

I was disappointed in it because it doesn't address the problem of build up on the interior of the tube. I've been told to flush the tube with Coke, Adolph's meat tenderizer, and other weird things, but none cleans the hardened food build up that coats the tube and will, I assume, eventually close it off.

When my mother's second tube was placed, the surgeon used a much shorter tube than the original. This has enabled me to very carefully insert long Q-Tips (wooden end) to gently try to keep the tube open, but I can't scrape off the build up. Then I use a pipe cleaner and carefully run it down the tube only to where it enters the stomach, following this by a flush of water. Sometimes squeezing the tube where it appears to be blocked also helps.

Personally, I can't believe someone hasn't come up with a fool proof product to prevent this from happening. In my mother's case, if the tube blocks we may have to decide to allow her to die because she is bedridden and has no quality of life as it is.

• By joannenj
• Reply 378108 · In reply to 377453 by Guardian-Angel
• May 6, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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thank-you Guardian angel. I am very sorry about your Mom......I also cared for my Mother and had to make some very hard decisions. What helped, is I have a sister and together we vowed not to make any decisions alone.......I looked up the un-clogger solution and will show the info to my Physician tomorrow.....Take care, I will be thinking of you.....

• By regbrigidmom
• Reply 383320
• May 11, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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My daughter was prescribed a combination of one capsule of pancrealipase combined with 1 tablet of sodium bicarb dissolved in 10cc of water and instilled into the tube. You draw back whatever you can and put in as much of the enzyme/bicarb solution as you can and let it sit. Flush with as much water as you will tolerate before your next feed, and it should clear.

She is 3 1/2 and this combination has prevented a gj change at least 4 times in the last year.

Hope that helps a bit.

• By prettykitty
• Reply 384138
• May 12, 2009 at 2:25 pm
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I was told in addition to using soda pop to break up a clog, to use cranberry juice. I tried this the other day when my tube clogged after I took my medicines (I didn't dissolve the crushed pills good enough), and it helped out quite a bit. I warmed the cranberry juice up in the microwave and flushed my tube with it. I had to push on the syringe quite a bit, but I finally got the clog to break up.

Jessie