NG feed

[Hannbax]

Can anyone offer any advice please. I'm going in hospital today I'm almost 3 years post transplant but haven't eaten since may. Severe gastritis along with other gastro issues. I'm having NG feed ( great timing not done Xmas yet 🙇🏻‍♀️) I'll be coming home with it. They know how I'm eager to get home due to home circumstances. I know I'll have to be taught to do the feed myself I'll have DN support in community. How hard & uncomfortable is it? After transplant I found it horrible. I've gotta do this as I'm not in A good state. Lost so much weight but muscle mass & no nutrition I feel rubbish. Any advice & truth 😉 greatly appreciated. Thankyou XX

[GrandmaDylan]

Hi Hanbax...is your name Hannah? I can't give you any advice I'm afraid but I feel so sorry that you're so poorly. I send you a hug and my very best wishes that you start to feel better soon. Deb 💓

[Hannbax in reply to GrandmaDylan]

Thankyou so much. Yeah Hannah's my name. Hugs are very welcome. Really appreciate it. Sending you one or two back Deb ❤️✨❤️

[Hidden in reply to Hannbax]

Hi

I'm sorry I can't offer any advice but I'm thinking if you. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Me too Hannah Good Luck. Hope you can make the most of Christmas.

[Hannbax in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou. Have a fantastic Christmas. All the very best

[Hannbax in reply to Hidden]

Thanks appreciate it so much. Love & hugs bk xxxx

[BSA-3]

Hello Hannbax, sorry to read of your dilemma. I have a permanent ng and I can honestly say it's one of the better things that's happened to me recently. I'm not sure if you've already got the ng in or not yet, but if not, don't be alarmed by it. I would say the procedure is, at worst, best described as 'uncomfortable' but it's done that quickly it's barely noticeable. If however, like me, you have a tendency to lose them with vomiting then your nose can become quite sore but nothing serious, in my experience anyway. The enteral nurses are fantastic and I also have a 24hr helpline to Fresenius who are very good too. I don't know where you are obviously but Fresenius also have a team of nurses who keep an eye on you. Setting up the feed at home should be no problem either because they'll make sure you know what to do and if you do have problems, then they're only a phone call away. Otherwise, I can't think of a single downside to it. You may feel like clearing your throat a lot at first but this soon goes or did with me. The only other thing I can think to mention is just to keep everything clean and you should have no problems. I hope this is of some use to you. Take care.

[Hannbax in reply to BSA-3]

Thankyou for the advice. They have tried 5 times today to put the NG in. It was horrific. One of my nostrils is very narrow. The other omg felt like it was going into my eye. Was left vomiting & a very very bad headache. They are going to get the nutritionist to try. Apparently she's the queen of NG tubes. I'm petrified now. The nurse was brutal and my nose is sore. Thankyou take care XX

[BSA-3 in reply to Hannbax]

Hi again, I know exactly what you are going through. I won't bore you with details but now only the enteral nurses do my replacement tubes - I've had some bloody awful ones done by others not quite as proficient at doing it. I hope all goes well for you. Take care.

[Hannbax in reply to BSA-3]

Thankyou again. Is there any way of numbing the area or having a small anaesthetic to put it in or how do you manage to have it in with no trouble

[BSA-3 in reply to Hannbax]

Hi, none that I'm aware of - I've certainly never been offered anything like that. The only thing I had that helped with the first few before I became nil by mouth was a glass of water and a straw. When you feel the tube hit the back of your throat, you then swallow like mad as the tube is pushed down. I hope this might be of some help. Take care.

[smp071266 in reply to BSA-3]

It is a bit daunting when you get the machine home but you will get used to the whir of the pump. If the tube gets bent or the feed is not going through the machine will bleep at you. But, the good thing to remember is that it is not life threatening if you have to stop it running for a few hours. Just try not to drop the bag of gloop because it’s like glue (as I found out to my horror!!)

[Hannbax in reply to smp071266]

I managed to have it done 😁😁 the nurse was brilliant even put a bridal brace on !!! Thanks to everyone I managed it and it took seconds that's all. Finished my first 10 HR feed thanks to all ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[smp071266 in reply to Hannbax]

Well done! If you’ve still got the tube in for Christmas you could always bling it up with some tinsel 😁 🎄

[Hannbax in reply to smp071266]

It's staying in. I'm home now so think I'll bling it up with tinsel 😂 thanks xx

[smp071266 in reply to Hannbax]

Hope you have a lovely Christmas- just make sure your tube is well taped up - you don’t want to get bread sauce all over it !!

[Hannbax in reply to smp071266]

I'm not allowed any food at all. 😔 How rubbish. Never mind I'll wash up instead have a great one ☺️

[BSA-3 in reply to Hannbax]

Well done ! I didn't want to mention the bridle but I'm so pleased it's worked out for you. Take care.

[Hannbax in reply to BSA-3]

Eek the bridle. To be honest the lady who does tubes in her sleep ( her words) is fast & doesn't really take no. So I was moaning no it's hurting it was done. I'm glad she's like that. Works with people like me. Haha ( soft) thanks again. Take care too ☺️

[Hannbax in reply to BSA-3]

Just to say since this post I've had 4 NG tubes put in. The bridles frayed to the point they snapped. All happened in an evening so had to pull the Ng tube out as it was sliding out. I'm finding I have constant nose blowing with the NG it's driving me mad. I've been getting really bad reflux from feeds so on Monday it's going to an NJ tube. Having the NG put in has been a breeze. The same woman has done them & what a difference that makes. My first post was pure panic & now she's said she's using me for training as I don't flinch. Lol. NJ might be different though. A bit worried. I'm also having more tests to decide what kind of tube I'll need in the future. Couldn't have got this far without all your support. THANKYOU to you all. Your fantastic. Happy Friday XX