Diarrhoea with jj feeding tube

[Hogwart]

My husband is seven weeks post op and not doing too had.This week he has started having diarrhoea during the night . ,The dietician suggested only having the feed every other night and trying to eat more and to take immodium if he had diarrhoea . First night off the feed he was ok second night on the feed, diarrhoea 3 times during the night so has taken an immodium. Has anyone else got any experience of this - is it being caused by the feed as he is now eating an almost normal diet albeit in very small quantities? Is there anything he can do to stop the diarrhoea rather than taking immodium all the time?

Thanks

[ian-james]

Hi Hogwart

I had diarrhoea because of the jej tube while I was on the ward after the op, and as I was starting to eat normally in small amounts I decided to stop the jej feeding. The dietician wasn't happy with that, but my thoughts were, if it's all going down the loo anyway what was the point of having it? I wasn't comfortable with the overnight feeding anyway, as I woke feeling overfull and bloated and not wanting any breakfast. The nurses said diarrhoea was quite common with jej feeding. I did lose some weight but not excessively. I obviously can't suggest what your husband should do as we're all different, and if he's only eating a very small amount he obviously needs extra nutrition, but that was what worked for me.

Hope this helps

best wishes

Ian

[Zantri]

Hog wart,

I have tube in & run it overnight, at first I suffered with diarrhoea but then my system got used it it & because of the pain medication I became constipated so they change the tube food to a higher fibre. Now I am eating better (stretch last week) the diarrhoea returned so I changed my food diet, less fibre more of the foods that bung me up like bananas & eggs, I also returned to the previous nutrient overnight feed & I am back on track. Speak to dietician about alternative nutrients & what food he can eat, I would not like to use immodium too much as it is quite harsh & his intestines needs time to adjust to the way food enters his system now.

Hope he improves

Z

Xx

[MFH28]

Hi

Unlike Ian-James I stuck with the feeding tube despite suffering diarrhoea. I tried contacting the company who operate the machines but was unable to obtain the appropriate advice. I eventually took the decision to reduce the dosage being pumped into me and that solved the problem for me. Whilst I can’t say this solution will work for everyone it may be worth a try.

Regards

MFH

[Hogwart in reply to MFH28]

Hi

How did you reduce the dosage and what did you reduce it to?

[MFH28 in reply to Hogwart]

Hi

Bearing in mind I am over seven years post-op my memory of the finer points are now a little vague. However, I am sure we simply changed the rate of fluid entering my body. I recall the machine had a device to allow you alter the rate of flow of the liquid, which helped.

I suspect the later machines are different to the one I had but, nevertheless, there must be something to allow you to change the rate of flow.

Failing that can you discuss the matter with the company who own the machine and should manage it. They normally give you contact details in the event of situations such as this.

[kiddy]

Hi i suffered this when on it in hospital. Came home not on it. I would speak to dietician. There is different feeds and maybe he can’t tolerate the feed he is on. Good he is able to eat small portions.

Best wishes

Debbie

[Janashlin]

I suffered from Diarrhea as well while in the feeding tube. As soon as the tube came out the Diarrhea stopped.