J-Tube

2 Posts | Page(s): 1 

J-Tube

by Lois_Ann on Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:00 AM

Quote | Reply

My husband is has had two bouts / 3 cancers.  The second time he was diagnosed they found two seperate cancers - one in the throat, one in the esophagus.  He went through 12 weeks radiation while under going chemo that lasted 16 months. 

He had a feeding tube in for the entire time period and for several months after.  After removing the tube, he was having difficulty keeping his weight on and is now terribly thin.

 He was diagnosed with aspiration pnuemonia in September and a J-tube was placed because they couldn't go through the esophagus due to the scar tissue. 

 Right from the beginning, he has had difficulty and is in extreme pain taking in only 1 can a day.  He was eating as well just to try to get in enough calories to survive.

 He is in the hospital again with aspiration pnuemonia.  Dr's are dragging there feet trying to figure out why the pain from the tube although he has been going to his Dr. and reporting the same to him regularly.

A nurse at the hospital mentioned she thought you were not supposed to use a syringe with a J-Tube.  In looking online, I find Duke medicine says a pump is always used with a J-Tube.

 Does anyone know if this is accurate???

 Thank so much -

RE: J-Tube

by emmad on Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:00 AM

Quote | Reply

Hi,

I hope you have more information now, finding stuff online can be helpful but it is important to know exactly what kind of tube he has, I am a nurse and know we can be not so great at explaining things to people.  A  g-j tube is different than a g tube. sometimes they call them peg tubes. they can enter the stomach or the intestine below the stomach so that makes a difference. Pumps are helpful to regulate flow but gravity or syringes can be used making sure they are the right size. My husband had a feeding tube for 5 months and went just into the stomach and we never used a pump and never had any problems, except for him always feeling discomfort at the site and hating it...I think some people are especially sensitive to any kind of tube or drain that doctors connect to them and sometimes, our emotional reaction will inhibit acceptance of it. I really hope things have improved for you and your loved one.

2 Posts | Page(s): 1 
Subscribe to this message board discussion

Latest Messages

CancerCompass Poll

How often do you use a mobile device (e.g., iPhone, Blackberry, etc.) to access the internet?

We care about your feedback. Let us know how we can improve your CancerCompass experience.