Using PEG

Hi Maryr64, I had a RIG which is very similar to a PEG, when it was fitted it took a few days for it to settle down, after that it was fine, I was never sick during the time I used it, which was for about 10 weeks. There are a few on here who have had NG feeding tubes, hopefully one will come along to tell you how they got on with theirs. All the best with your treatment. Any worries or questions, just ask away on here, someone will help, if they can.

Regards Ray. 

Hi Mary. I had six weeks of RT had an NG tube in week 4 for 8 weeks. There was no option for a PEG as the hospital had a policy of reactive feeding not proactive. Lots of reports here indicate quite a bit of discomfort for a week till PEGs settle so I’m quite glad I didn’t have one. I took my tube out when its job was done. I didn’t have to wait for dieticians to take a PEG out. 
Having said that many people are quite happy with them. 
I did have nausea but I put that down to the morphine I was on. 

Hi-  I’m not a patient but a patient’s daughter.  My dad had an NG tube to start with with bolus of fortisip every few hours.   he found it made him very bloated and sick feeling and hated it.  He’s had a RIG and overnight feed for a few weeks now instead and he’s much better as slower dosage.  Plus he puts it on overnight and has the day free.  The pump is very neat and light weight, pretty impressive piece of simple engineering. He prefers the RIG as the NG tube on his face really annoyed him and he feels more in control of things now as he does it all himself

good luck

Brummie  girl has a good point about bolus feeds. They are the ones that can make you throw up. I didn’t get on with mine either. When my NG tube went in the nutrition nurse showed me how to put in a feed which stayed down for ten seconds. A bit daunting. I fed overnight via a pump which was much better for my tummy and for my sanity as I had the day free to add pain relief and do all the other stuff you have to do to your mouth 

Hi Maryr64,

I also had a RIG tube(similar to a PEG) fitted and became reliant on it for getting my Fortisips in to me. It was uncomfortable for a few days however did settle down. I did have an ongoing issue with an infection at the site and cleaned it with saline daily. Removal after my treatment was straightforward. I did feel nauseous but this was due to the RT.

All the best with your treatment.

- John

Good evening Maryr64, i have had a PEG since 2009 and have never felt or been sick although i trainee nurse syringed too much food supplement through my tube and was sick,its surprising how these little bottles can bloat the tummy. I have not been pump fed since i was in hospital 2009 a just use a syringe. I cannot compare it with the NG tube but i dont know many people on here who have been sick by using the PEG. Another good thing with the PEG is that it's hidden by clothing and not in view plus you can syringe it while you are out and about. Good luck with the radiotherapy, take care.

                                                                                       Chris x  

Hi Maryr64

My husband currently has a peg, he had it put in last October, a month before treatment started, I thought it seemed to early but it did take him a while to get used to it, the first few days he was very bloated and it was a little bit uncomfortable, more so for him trying to sleep. He was never sick with any feeds but told to put the ensures in very slowly, the dietitian said a feed should take 15 minutes to stop any sickness which does work, also my husband was putting all his liquid meds via the peg too. He’s now week 7 post treatment and is still using it with no problems. Good luck you will be fine, and there’s lots of advice on here.

Mandy x

Hi 

I've had an NG for a couple of months. The first couple of times after feeding i felt bloated and a bit sick so my nurse slowed my feed down. I feed overnight so it doesn't matter how long it takes, I have 750mls over 10hrs.

I can't see me ever being able to get rid of my tube as my cancer can't be got rid of, in fact i sometimes wonder if i'll end up with a peg when the cancer worsens. So it's interesting reading the comments on here.

Good luck

Cat