What is a PEG?

[kerr28]

Hi all

Hope you are all alright.

I was wondering if someone could explain what a PEG is because I had a call from my family friends wife Amanda ICU nurse, 1 hour ago, who told me that Amanda had a PEG fitted earlier this afternoon

Amanda had her tracheostomy fitted 3 days ago and is still on 100% air/oxygen through her ventilator because she still can't breathe on her own.

I'm not due to go back to the hospital until tomorrow afternoon.

Laura

[Hidden]

A PEG is a way of feeding someone directly into their stomach. This keeps them nourished even when they cannot eat properly.

[kerr28 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Exhaustedwife

Thank you

Laura

[F1951 in reply to kerr28]

My husband had a peg fitted after a brain stem stroke. It's to feed and nourish them with a special feed. My husband had one in for ten months. After which he regained his swallow although he has to be careful what he eats and his drinks are all thickened.Hope it all works out for you. My thoughts are with you.

[kerr28]

Hi Exhaustedwife and F1951

Thank you both.

That's what Amanda's ICU nurse, who called me yesterday afternoon, also told me earlier this afternoon in person when I arrived at the ICU. She was going to tell me yesterday afternoon, on the phone but an emergency with another patient happened very suddenly.

Laura

[HopeforTony in reply to kerr28]

I responded but you had the answers. Hope all is well xx

[HopeforTony]

helps with food to go in their stomach Tony got one today xx

[kerr28 in reply to HopeforTony]

Hi

Thank you for answering our question HopeforTony.

Amanda's ICU nurse has now also explained to us what a PEG tube is used for. She was going to explain to us all on Sunday afternoon on the phone, when she called us, what a PEG was, when an unexpected emergency happened with another patient very suddenly.

We're still thinking of you, Tony and his family in our prayers and thoughts 24/7 and we all send our love and hugs as well.

Laura and Amanda's familyxxxx

[HopeforTony in reply to kerr28]

Thanks guys same

[kerr28 in reply to HopeforTony]

Thank you

Still at the hospital, sat with Amanda now, doctors have started to wean her of the vent earlier today.

Laura and Amanda's familyxxxx

[dinkylimpet]

Hello,

I realise this is a very scary time for you so I hope to reassure you a little. I had a PEG fitted 2 and a half years ago now. It's quite easy to manage as long as you keep the site(where the fitting goes into the stomach) clean. To be honest with you it stopped working once and had to be replaced but this was done at home. It took 5 minutes and the support staff were very good. The feed is delivered in ready to go bottles along with any feeding tubes and any other things we may need , to the house every 4 weeks and the people who work there are very good. The dietician is very helpful,in regular contact and very approachable if we need to contact her. I would be happy to help further if I can.

[kerr28 in reply to dinkylimpet]

Hi Dinkylimpet

It has and still is a very scary time for us all.

Thank you very much for the reassurance because it has reassured us all a lot!

Laura and Amanda's family