I cannot eat. Can anyone explain the feeding tube.

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I've tried all weekend to eat.  Only managed complan. 2 weejs in 7.  Will I need a feeding tube

  • Sounds like it, yes. 
    From your post I presume you don’t have a stomach tube fitted so likely your team will offer you a nasogastric tube. It’s not pretty but it’s a breeze to get it placed and easy enough to use so don’t be frightened of it  

    Tell your radiologists your are in trouble  your pain meds will have to be reviewed as well  

    Pain control is paramount and if you take your analgesics by rote it’s much easier to manage 

    Also there are oral preparations to ease the discomfort  What are you taking at present? 

    I had six weeks RT and by the end of week three I had an NG tube. It saved my life

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    Thank you.   the pain is manageable.   Food just won't go down.  Trying complan,  Teary birthday weekend x

  • Poor you. It can be really alarming especially as you feel so out of control. The RT staff will get things moving. Same thing happened to me. I stopped eating on Friday and after the Monday session I was up on the ward getting my pain meds titrated properly and my tube put in. On my birthday too

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    Thank you x

  • Hi like Dani days sounds like it. I had my n g tube put in end if week 3 and it was in for 6 weeks ( changed after 3 weeks ) 

    You need to tell your team exact ehst you’ve tried to eat over the weekend as weight loss will do you no good. Plus with n g tube your medication if when you need it will go via the tube. 
    There’s nothing wrong going down that route it’s a case if needs must. Mine like Dani’s was a lifesaver .

    Hazel if you look on my blog you’ll see a photo of mine being  put in it’s not painful just unpleasant for a few seconds. 
    Hazel c

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Hi carran...all this is normal...I had Ng tube fitted week 3 and kept it in for 5 months...I must admit it's not a great look but it's essential to get the fluids to stabilise your weight and take the meds...it all seems tough at the start but highly doable...you will be fine...32 months post treatment I am back to normal and you will get there too 

    Good luck

    Chas

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to RadioactiveRaz

    Thank you. Food diary started. Following strict pain relief instructions. Less disoriented today xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Chicotime

    Thank you. These replies have lifted my low. So much living to do when I'm back to me x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Wednesday evening update.  Got given supplementary pain killer.  Stuck to times for all.  Used prescribed mouth wash for 2 mins if possible.  It's not all doom and gloom if I listen to you and team.  Just eat baby size pieces of a strawberry tart.  Not just any strawberry tart but and M&S strawberry tart.  I'm estatic.