PEG feeding

[Loveandcats]

Hi, please could anyone share advice or experience with PEG feeding tubes? I recently got told my partner probably would never eat again due to not appearing to have a gag reflex. He has had a breathing tube down his throat for 5 weeks now due to being in a coma most of the time. He coughs and yawns so has these reflexes, he also tries pulling out his breathing tube. I’ve tried researching this but most websites say PEG feeding is needed if the patient can’t swallow/cough. I want to know if he can swallow/cough, is this enough to work with to eventually in the distant future get him eating again? Or is it solely down to whether he gags or not? Part of me feels like maybe he’s just so used to the tube being there after 5 weeks? He gets the tube out next week. I mm just worried as I know eventually being able to eat will help his frame of mind.

Please could anyone offer any advice or experience?

[philbou]

My wife has a

[philbou]

My wife has a peg Please don’t worry about one too much

It not a permanent option

It’s a meanwhile thing to help

[14th]

Hi Loveand cats

My daughter was peg feed for 2.5 years for the same reason but here we are now 6.5 years later and there is nothing she can’t eat so keep,positive.

[Longbridge]

Hi,

13 Years ago I had Meningitis & a Major Stroke & accompanying Nerve Damage & lost the ability to swallow either Food or Drink permanently , initially I had a Nasal Gastric Tube, but to go to another Local Hospital, I needs to have a P.E,G, Fitted & have my Stroke Rehabilitation!!

It can be either Temporary or Permanent, but it's a very easy way to receive your Feed!!!!

Regards

Peter

Ps: If you have any questions, feel free to ask anything!!

[Richdp]

Hi Loveandcats,

I had a peg feed, as I was nil by mouth for a good time. I was in a coma for around 6 weeks and had a tracheostomy which I also used to pull out apparently. When I did start eating again I was given pureed food.

It wasn't so much the gag reflex but the inability to swallow.

So, 8 years down the line and I can eat pretty much anything, although the scarring on my throat can sometimes cause a bit of coughing and spluttering with liquids if they go down the wrong way, but it has got better over time.

I hope your partner, like me, will be eating again soon, but it will take time.

The odds of me even surviving were stacked against me, and then my loved ones were told I'd be in a vegetive state.

Keep the faith

Thoughts and prayers are with you ❤️

[Buell1125]

My father had motornuron's I used to have to set his feed up for him . It was quite simple to use.

[F1951]

Hi there, l was told my husband Peter would never eat or drink again, he was in hospital for 5months,,and he had a peg tube in situ, when he came home, l noticed he wasn't dribbling, so where was his saliva going if he couldn't swallow, he had a brain stem stroke, and was very poorly, his speech was very bad also,against medical advice l put a tiny spot of yoghurt on a spoon and he swallowed it, so l got intouch with the speech and swallow team, they came out to see him, made a very thick drink, and gave him a tiny spoonful, it took some time but he swallowed it, so that was the start , l spent 9months weaning him , like a baby, today he can only drink very thick drinks, and mashed food, but he's managing , after 18 months he had his peg removed, he maintains a good weight, and it's so nice to see him eating again, so for you it's very early days, 🤞 take care, xx

[Loveandcats in reply to F1951]

Thank you so much for your message. My partner has damage to the midbrain (too of the brain stem) and I saw that your husband had a brain stem stroke. You have given me so much comfort, and you are right it is very early days. Doctors hopefully just give worst case scenarios. Take care and sending you my love x