RIG feeding reflux - any ideas?

I had issues with my PEG. I had to move to a lighter fortisip and use a pump to slowly feed. Before I switched I got sick. Not sure if that's the solution for your dad but might be worth a try. 

Good luck x

Overnight pump feeding at a slower rate...propped up on a V-shaped pillow...it's very much trial and error...I changed from Ensure 2cal feed to Jevity feed ...that certainly helped with reflux issues.

I always found pump feeding to be best long and slow, preferably in a more upright position.  I could syringe in a fortisip vey quickly through my PEG but the bagged feed was totally different.

Good evening NorthStar11, i was pump fed in the hospital and kept being sick and found the feed was too rich and being fed too quickly, and my stomach could not handle it, so it was a case of adjusting and changing the feed. Also, I found that switching to ensures was much better, using a syringe instead of the pump. If he is on Ensures then try changing to a different company it might help. Wishing your dad all the best ,take care. 

                                                                         Chris x

Thankyou for sharing! Have changed the overnight feed but I’ll speak to his dietician about the fortisips too

Thankyou very much for sharing! Very interested how some of these feeds are just not tolerated well. Going to speak with his dietician about changing :) 

wishing you well!

Hey Notrthstar - I am totally RIG dependent and have been since 2022. It’s very much a mechanical process but the need to find a happy medium with what food and how to dispense it takes trial and error. This situation is one of those where you have to say that not everyone is the same and you have to adjust or modify your processes to suit you.

I use a machine that I carry in a rucksack and sits next to me by my bed at night time. The flow rate is crucial - if you’re totally dependent on your calorific intake from the RIG, the dieticians will calculate how much feed you need. There are only so many hours in the day. To give this context, I need 1600ml of TwoCal every day. I feed that into me at 150-175ml per hour depending on how I feel on the day. I have to use the nighttime to consume water at 120ml per hour to get between 1000 to 1200ml of water.

Syringe feeding is a nightmare if you’re required to deliver large volumes. I would press the dietician’s for a machine (through Abbott Hospital to Home) or whoever delivers such services in your area.

Doing your head and neck exercise regime is vital as is trying to eat orally as it’s really important to keep all the muscles involved in that process active.

Always happy to share any experiences or advice based on my own situation.