Rig tube security

[Mandy124]

My husband was given one of these plugs when he left hospital after the rig operation and as we have an hour and half drive to the hospital if anything goes wrong with it (dire warnings off getting there in an hour to replace the rig) , it can be plugged open till we get to somewhere it can be replaced.

it's really annoying as our local hospital is literally 5 mins up the road from us but were told they wouldn't be able to do it, not so sure that is altogether true.

It does feel that everybody is out (as Ellie says) to scare us, we are both off us not to easily scared thank god but feel that some of the speacialists and surgeons we had to see before his op. really ought to go on some empathy courses though I'm not sure that would help lol, my poor husband even had to go in to the operating theater and wait there for 15 mins while they discussed over him how they shoud communicate with him because he has lost his voice as they had never come across that!!. On the plus side they asked him what music he wanted to listen to and after writing his choice down had decent music to listen too, his operation wasn't very pleasant at all but that is a different story.

Love Mandy

[Ellie]

If the amount of water in the balloon is kept at the correct level (you'll be told how many mls) the incidence of failure is really quite low and, even with a bit of a tug, a feeding tube or button doesn't easily pop out.

However... if it were to happen, as Terry said, the site can close in a matter of hours, so the old tube or button should be popped back in and taped to stop it popping out again and replaced ASAP.

In an A&E dept, a catheter can be used to keep the site open until a replacement feeding tube can be fitted. A&E depts have fast access to catheters and a similar sized one to the feeding tube should be used (12Fr, 14Fr etc) It just maintains the integrity of the site and stops the panic! Everyone with a feeding tube should be aware of this for emergencies...

Love Ellie.

[Terry]

It's true Mandy;

Most hospices, care homes and night time hospitals would not have someone who would put a new feeding tube in.

If they had done it before, (which is unlikely unless they have been a partner of someone with a feeding tube) they would be too worried about mitigation and being sowed, because of not having the proper training or the training is out of date.

It would not bother me to put one in if I knew the person.

Great that they gave you a plug and after a few weeks of the opp it should be easy enough to put in safely with a bit of lube.

Sorry to worry you all but it is quite unusual for them to come out, whilst it's happened twice with me it's always been in the shower at night, when it felt a bit loose. One of the tubes was a new make and that firm does not make them any more.

Love Terry

[Mandy124]

Thanks you everyone for your posts,

Love Mandy.

[Guest]

I had a Rig. went to the loo one day sat down and my Rig popped out my tummy and fell on the floor. I was like wtf. I kid you not. they tried to get it back in but it was a no go. so rigless now and have been for fourteen months. had a nightmare getting it in as well. ended up with pulmonary embolisms then pneumonia

[Terry]

Hi Lv,

Sorry to hear of your catastrophe with the feeding tube.

Was it out long before anyone tried to put it back in?

I hope that you can eat enough with out problems.

Many people have feeding tubes with little or no trouble.

Love Terry

[Guest]

they tried that day but was too sore. I don't eat much but I eat on my own terms. carers are patient and take time feeding me. I would rather have one decent meal than slop with thickeners.

[Terry]

Hi Lv;

I think it needs to be put back in as soon as possible and maybe within a half a hour for ease and less damage. No good waiting for 3 hours.

I guess that you have some fortified drinks like fortisip. It is especially hard to eat if you can't control the way food is presented, etc.

Love Terry