RIG feeding tube

Hi Peach Flamingo, I wouldn't 'worry too much about it getting blocked, just keep using it and flushing it. If you think it is getting blocked, let your team know, they will change it for you, it's a very straight forward thing, and painless, it takes about 5 minutes. I had about 3 changes in all, the district nurse came to the house and did it.  

Ray.

Thank you for that advice, I’ll try to stop worrying. I think I’ll have it changed by the nutrition nurse at the hospital, from what they’ve said. One thing that blocked it quite easily was when I was given so-called ‘dispersible’ omeprazole and the tiny beads just all backed up. Thankfully it was nurses in the hospital who did that, not me, and it took quite a while to clear it. 
I’m totally tube fed now, so I’ll have the RIG permanently. Maybe that’s why I’m a bit obsessed! Thanks again, and good luck with whatever the future brings you Ray.

Hi Peach 

Try a weak lukewarm saline solution?

I had a PEG tube ...only put liquids through it ...couple of infections required antibiotics...no other problems apart from having to change the 'Y' junction a couple of times...personally I would never have attempted liquidised foods being put through the tube, relied on it too much to risk compromising it.

Peter

Peach Flamingo said:

I’ve heard of people blending up all sorts of foods and putting them in their RIG (Cornish pasty anyone?) but the nurse from the feed company nearly had a fit when I told her that! Feed and medicine only.

You can put all sorts through the tube. Lots of people on permanent PEG do. BUT is has to be blended with an industrial spec mixer like an expensive Vitamix. Its not worth it for the short time we need tube feeding. 
Sorry I can’t help with the gunk, though. Hope you get it sorted 

Peach Flamingo said:

I’m totally tube fed now, so I’ll have the RIG permanently.

Cripes! I’m sorry. I forgot that and I should have remembered. 
I can put you in touch with somebody who fed through her tube for over a year and managed a proper nutritious diet 

Hi Dani, 

Yes, that would be useful to hear how other people have handled RIG feeding. I’m ‘end of life’ now, although immunotherapy is having a positive effect on the tumour so I don’t know how long I’ve got, but the RIG is here to stay. Any advice is always welcome. Thank you xx

Hi Peter,

I agree with being cautious. When it is your only way of getting fed you don’t want to compromise it in any way, but I’m interested to know what other people might have tried. For the gunky tube I’ve tried acidic liquids - orange juice, strawberry or raspberry purée - and cola, but I’ll give saline a go too. Thank you 

I’ll message her for you. Are you on FB? 
This is what she has said to me

Hi Dani, no problem at all for messaging me and I will help all I can. My dietitian team were not great about a blended diet and wanted me to have the ensure drinks which I refused to do. To start with it was a bit nerve wracking because of the stories I’d heard from the professionals about blocking my tube. There was absolutely nothing to worry about and my confidence grew very quickly. The most important thing is a good blender and getting used to the right consistency. I used to blend everything including nuts and seed and within 2 weeks of changing my diet from ensure to blended I felt 100% better. I had help from a gut health specialist too and I’m happy to pass on that knowledge xx

No, not on FB but that information has been helpful, perhaps I just need to have more confidence. I’m not feeling unwell at all on the overnight Ensure feed but just don’t feel that I’m getting anything ‘natural’. I have a Nutribullet blender so I’ve been using that, and then sieving the blended fruit to remove the seeds. Did she sieve everything? 
Many thanks for researching and getting back to me so quickly xx

Peach Flamingo said:

Did she sieve everything? 

No. She used  Vitamix blender that annihilates everything so there us no need to sieve