Hello all,
I've been on a peg tube for almost 2 months now. And the tube seems to have a layer of substance lining the inside. How do I keep the it clean? I flush with warm water everytime before and after each meal.

Anyone has any idea?

Sharifah

Hi Sharifah, I've had my peg since June, '08 and had all sorts of problems keeping it clean. I would flush once before and twice after each feeding with no luck. Last week I went back to hospital and had a new, clean one put in. Ouch, discomfort! Anyway, on this one there's a clamp on it that I can set so that fluid doesn't back up into it as much. I guess I'll know in a few months how useful it really is.

I hope someone can answer your question with a better answer than a tube replacement!!!!!

Best of luck, Cricket

Hi Sharifah

There is much advice about this in the past discussions on
PEG problems and PEGs. You can also search for previous discussions on PEG feeding using the Find button to look up the keyword 'PEG'.

I remember some members mentioning flushing the tube with Cola!

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Hi Dr Joshi and Cricket,

Thank you very much for your prompt replies. It helps a lot. My doctor did not tell me about changing the tube. Cricket, it sounds scary. I'm going to try that cola thing. Hopefully, it can clean the tube.

Sharifah
"Never quit"

Hi Sharifa ,hands up it was me .Paul's peggy used to do this and also sometimes would set up feed and feed tube would slide back out .I used Coca Cola just about half syringe you would use for a bolus feed and put it in gently it will cause you to burp a little similar to drinking a large amount orally continue to do this every couple of days and should clean tube worked for Paul was the head and neck nurse at hospital gave me this tip ,let us know if it works for you .

My hubby managed with the same peg tube for 7 months and this was the only problem we had .I also used one of the self adhesive dressings , I cut it so it would fit round his peg entry in tummy this helped keep any small leakage from soaking on to his shirts during day as sometimes if it was hot he felt it was a bit pongy as the feed sometimes does .

At night time we removed this and cleaned area and left it undressed ,they are small micropore type dressings think you will know what I mean .

Best wishes and hope this works for you .

Bell

PS ,another tip, should you like me sometimes have a spill of the jevity ( that is what Paul was on) on your carpet and find it goes hard and smelly soak with with white wine vinegar and leave till evaporates this works .Sorry but was just another thought running through my head .Also we were advised to flush tube before and after feeds with boiled (sterilized) cold water ,not warm .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bell,

Hi folks

Gosh, reading your posts about PEG care makes me SO happy that I had an NG tube (not that it was totally problem-free) and only for a month or so.

Bicarbonate of soda in water works well too. You don't need alot. Sometimes mine would get completely blocked so made a mixture about the consistency of milk. Let it sit for a minute or two and then flush through.