Feeding Tube And Glutamine

I went to see a gastro dr. about a feeding tube but he scared the heck out of me saying people get bad infections inside the stomach all the time from these things. Is he just cover his tail or has anyone heard that a big % of people have infection issues?

Does Glutamine powder help the mouth sores?

Thanks

I don't know about Glutamine, but have had a PEG tube since last April following treatment for Stage IV (T2N2M0) Tonsil Cancer. After two weeks of radiation (which followed 9 weeks of chemo), I had the PEG installed to enable me to eat--my throat was so sore it was agony to swallow. But I have not heard anything about Glutamine or heightened danger of infection. One must, of course, be extra careful to keep the area sanitary and don't pour in anything that might be dirty. 

My husband took the Glutamine Powder during his entire radiation.  Honestly, we had nothing to gauge the outcome with because he had such a severe reaction to the radiation.  He had very bad burns and a yeast infection that lasted for 4 months.

I think that you should try the powder, because who knows how much worse it could have been. 

Also, Richard had the feeding tube for 8 months and never had any problems with it.  He was VERY careful about keeping it clean and it never did get infected.  THIS DEVICE saved his life.  He only lost around 20 lbs. and because of this, I feel that his immune system, his strength, etc. etc. were much better because he was able to get the nutrition he needed.

you need to keep the incision site really clean - my husband cleaned his w/ hydgen proxcide (sp) between daily showers and bandaged it. He had a staff infection in the incision after surgury but that was knocked out w/ antibotics. The tube saved him. He took in about 2500 cal a day with the tube and still lost 25 pds.

Now, 8 mo out of treatment he eats everything by mouth he did before cancer, works out 5 days a wk and is going back to work - he's doing awesome.

 

He took glutamine all the way through chemo / rad and only had one case of thrush at the very end of rad. He never had one mouth sore. Gultamine also help retain muscle with the chemo breaks down. My husband's body has never looked better. Our Radiation Oncologist also advised us to use it as a supplement to help preserve his salvery glands.

Wow! What a story. How much glutamine did he take daily?

Why did he need a feeding tube if he had no mouth sores?

Thanks,

Rick

Don't fear the PEG tube. It was a life saver for me. I had it for 5
months. The risk of infection was never mentioned and I didn't have any
problem. All I did was wash the area every day and put a gauze pad in
between it and my skin. It was easy. The only down side was hiding it
under my shirt. Once I lost some weight that wasn't a problem. Oh, and
a couple of times I laughed or coughed when I had the end of the tube
open and I shot stomach contents on to the ceiling :) It was funny as
hell.

They're easy to use. I was given a bag to pour Nutrin in
and then hang the bag. I tried that, but it was too much of a hassle
and took too long.  All I did was recline on the couch, put a large
syringe, without the plunger, in the opening and then pour the food in.
I'd follow that with 2 bottles of water and be done. It wouldn't take
longer than 5 minutes. I did that every 4 hours.

I didn't take 
Glutamine during treatment (33 radiation - both sides/Chemo -
Erbitux+Cisplatin).  I had no mouth sores, thrush or any other
problems. During treatment I lost all my saliva and taste, but now, 16
months post, I'm back to 90% in both areas. I didn't know about
Glutamine, but probably would have tried it.  What could it hurt?

Good luck and keep your chin up.

Tom

I had a PEG tube for 5 mos and wasn't particularly carefully sterile with it-just cleaned the area and used clean guaze everytime. Had no problems, other than I just didn't like it! I still lost weight but since I couldn't have eaten at all otherwise, Im sure it was a lifesaver. I still  drank water only during the whole time-bad as it tasted. Do what you can to preserve your swallowing ability. I was never told about glutamine-so never heard of it until after. Gayle

Sometimes I think the medical community needs more help than the rest of us!  A little bedside manners wouldn't hurt with this doctor you saw.

My husband's doctor insists on the peg line prior to beginning treatment.  We now realize how important it is going to be, if he needs it.  If he doesn't, so no big deal.  The surgery was quick, his recovery was quick and it is there to save his life if need be.  After just a little over a week, it has already healed beautifully.  I do clean it daily with soap and water.  I rotate the clip 360 degrees.  I put neosporin around the rim and move the surgical gauze close as I can to the tube itself.  This catches the gunk and keeps it clean. 

Doctor saw the peg site today and was extremely pleased.

Now I'm going to go get some glutamine! 

How much glutamine did he take daily?  I'm buying some tomorrow.

hello All,

 

My husband took 10 mg 3 x a day. You need to go to the health food store or somewhere like that to get it in powder form. We just desolved it in his ensure.

 

here's an interesting article on this amino acid:

By Dena McDowell, MS, RD

Glutamine is the most common non-essential branch chained amino acid in the human body. Glutamine breaks down into energy, which the body uses in the gastro-intestinal tract, kidneys, and immune system. The body creates glutamine from glutamate, a reaction that takes place in all tissues, including the brain and fat stores. Usually, the body can produce enough glutamine to maintain its own stores. In times of stress, however, the body may not be able to create enough glutamine to regulate cellular functioning. During this time, it is important to supplement the diet with food and vitamins containing glutamine.

Benefits of Glutamine

Glutamine helps stimulate the immune system by providing energy to the macrophages and lymphocytes. Glutamine is also instrumental in gastrointestinal health. There, it maintains the mucosal cell integrity and prevents bacterial translocation during times of stress or malnutrition. Glutamine, along with human growth hormone and diet, has been successfully used to treat short bowel syndrome. Glutamine is also extremely helpful in reducing mucositis, also known as mouth sores. In the kidneys, glutamine helps maintain the acid base balance by donating ammonia to the urea cycle during alkalosis. In the stress response, glutamine becomes conditionally essential.

Dangers of Low Glutamine

Bodily losses of glutamine may cause:

• Weakening of the immune system
• Increased infection rate
• Slowed wound healing time

Patients treated for trauma, burns, AIDS, irritable bowel, ulcerative colitis, poor wound healing, cancer, and blood infections may all benefit from glutamine supplementation.

When to Take Glutamine Supplements

Because dietary sources of glutamine are limited, a glutamine supplement is usually recommended when severe bodily trauma occurs. The standard dose is 10 grams, 3 times a day