Feeding Tube / Gastric Tube?

[helpingout]

Hi all.  Not a fun question, but does anyone else have experience with having a permanent (until transplant...hopefully) gastric feeding tube put in place?  Are there questions we should VERY seriously ask the doctors before saying yes or no?

Background: my father-in-law is not putting on any weight.  We have 2700 to 3000+ calories going in every day, but no results, maybe even weight LOSS.  The doctors and dietitian are saying "feeding tube, feeding tube."

[helpingout]

Actually, apparently it is a nasojejunal tube they are thinking of, not a gastric feeding tube.  That will teach me to rely on second-hand info (another care giver talked to the liver center people instead of me, but she's usually very accurate so I had no cause to doubt what she said).

The nasojejunal tube goes the nose-throat-stomach-small intestine route.  I expect that you're right: tubes up the nose and rubbing the back of the throat sound decidedly uncomfortable!

Thanks for your input.

[Sevetts]

Hi helpingout.  My Dad had one of those when he was fighting esophgial cancer.  It has to be cleaned real well of course to prevent infection, and flushed after each "meal".  He didn't mind it to much, at least he never complained about it, although he wasn't a complainer.  I know I had to flush it a few times when I took care of him for awhile, while my mom went out of town.  It's pretty easy to do.  He would play cards on his computer while the "food" was going in, then he'd lay down while I flushed it.  If I moved it around to much he did let me know.  I know that he had to go in a couple of times and have it  adjusted or something I'm not real sure if it had started coming out or what.  But it was fairly simple to use and take care of and he did get the nutrients that he needed.  Just make sure that everyone helping with it knows how to use it and clean it properly.

Hope this helps a little.

Shelley

[helpingout]

Karen, thanks for the well wishes.  :)  Yes, the malnutrition is so frustrating, especially when we're all trying to stop it and it still keeps happening.

[helpingout]

Hi Hector,

Yes, he's being cared for by a liver center.

This tube is put in place through the wall of the stomach and comes out the side with a permanent little button.  In theory, whenever he lay down to sleep he'd hook up to a pump that would deliver some sort of solution directly to his stomach.

Google image search "gastric tube" or "gastric feeding tube" for pictures.

[HectorSF]

First is your father in law under the care of a liver transplant center?
These are transplant center doctors you mention?
He must be care for by a liver transplant center to get proper medical treatment for his cirrhosis including his diet and nutrition management.

Is he at home or in the hospital?

What do you mean "permanent (until transplant...hopefully) gastric feeding tube put in place?"
Are you speaking of a Nasogastric Tube (NG tube)? A tube that is put into the nose and fed down the throat into the stomach? There is nothing permanent about it and they have to be changed periodically. I had one for a few days in the hospital and is a very minor procedure just not fun having a tube shoved up through your nose. The tube is uncomfortable when in because it rubs the back of the throat. I couldn't wait to get it pulled out! But if he needs it, he will have a better chance of getting to transplant more healthy if he doesn't lose too much weight.

As long as he hasn't had recent banding of varices the NG tube should be safe.

Hepatic failure is associated with a high prevalence of malnutrition. Malnutrition, in turn, is associated with compromised outcomes in this population. The cause of malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis is multifactorial, and includes decreased intake, altered metabolism,
and increased nutrient losses. Oral intake can often be enhanced with careful attention to individual needs and by avoiding unnecessary diet restrictions. Enteral (through the stomach) feedings are a safe and effective way to provide increased nutrition when a patient is unable to meet their basic needs by mouth.

Good luck.
Hector

[crossroadsec]

I just logged on. No experience there, but malnutrition is such a problem. I hope Hector logs on soon. There are many good people on this site. Sleep well, xo Karen:)