NG or Peg, how do I decide?

Most people seem to be offered proactive PEG or RIG

I was treated at Swansea where that wasn’t an option. I was offered a reactive NG when I needed it. I had one in place for 12 weeks with one change midway through when I vomited it up and it had to be replaced. They are very visible snaking into your nose and being taped to your cheek but I don’t regret it. They are not difficult to manage, don’t involve piercing your abdomen and you can whip them out yourself when you don’t need them any more…. At least that’s what I did. 
Are you actually being given a choice? 

Thanks Dani, that’s helpful. Yes, I’m being given the choice, my cancer nurse is calling tomorrow to see what I want to do.

If you don’t mind looking like a cancer patient it’s much less invasive. Just make sure you can get it put in as soon as you need it. I turned up to a Monday RT after not being able to eat over the weekend and I had one put in a couple of days later ( long story involving new year, no dieticians in call and me being dehydrated) 

Hazel ( RadioactiveRaz ) got one in straightaway, being sent home the same afternoon 

Certainly food for thought, I’ll spend tonight doing a bit more reading but your advice has been helpful useful, thank you!

Sorry….. edited my post after you replied

My hubby got treated at Clatterbridge Centre Liverpool,with our consultant based either at Aintree or St.Helens Hospital.There was no choice really,got PEG fitted before treatment actually started,as a precaution, but soon into treatment turned into a lifesaver. Not sure why different trusts choose different methods. I am sure your medical team will choose what's best for you. On this note,all the best. Fellow wife Mel x

Thanks, to be honest I’d have preferred not to have been given a choice. It all feels like a bit of a rock and a hard place!! And that’s on top of dealing with everything else that’s coming at me thick and fast

SR67 said:

Any advice greatly appreciated

One thing I might add….. chemo can make you nauseous and sick despite the antisickness they give you. NG tubes can be thrown up and might need to be replaced. PEGs are secure and don’t fall out. 

I feel for you,when we first got the diagnosis,T4N3M0, our world came crushing down, emotions everywhere,it is alot to cope with,once we came to turn with it, we kind of excepted it,we had no choice really, what did help was our consultant assuring us that this was curable,also it would be a long bumpy road to recovery. My hubby is now 14ish months post treatment and doing well,considering.PEG or RIG? It's a choice only you can make,but talk to your team,as I said,we didn't get one,but my hubby didn't any trouble. On this note,stay positive and strong,you can do this. Mel x

Hi I was treated at Leeds cancer centre their policy was not to routinely fit kegs ie rigs but I had to consent to a n g tube  to be fitted if needed by end if week 3 I needed it as ulcers were inhibiting my ability to maintain hydration and nutrition sufficiently. As Beesuit said I asked for it in the morning and was fitted that afternoon and went home with feed and the rest was delivered.  I didn’t regret it it ti me was part of my treatment and recovery. I had it changed 3 weeks later and then was due another change week 3 of recovery but by then I was able to swallow sufficient for it to be taken out which I did myself in seconds. I had a small rucksack to put pump in and I found it easier to feed during day.  All my medication went through it. I wasn’t nauseous so didn’t have issues during chemo. 
I would  have one again if I ever needed it I know it helped me make a relatively quick recovery. We went away 8 weeks later ti Spain. Again this is my experience. 
best wishes 

Hazel