Peg consultation

[Ellie]

Hi Sheila,

If your breathing is good, the preferred method of fitting a feeding tube is by the PEG procedure, if your breathing isn't great, the RIG procedure is preferable.

In the PEG procedure, patients are given intravenous sedation. This is because they must be relaxed for the endoscope to go down the throat.

In the RIG procedure, patients are not normally sedated, but get a local anaesthetic nasal spray for the tube that goes up the nose and into the stomach, through which air is pumped so the stomach is inflated.

Love Ellie.

[Sheila]

Hi Ellie,
I have watched on you tube the peg procedure, it didn't help much. The nurse at the hospital said I would get a throat spray and that's all. She must be wrong because no way I could get through that without sedation.
Thanks again Ellie for your help.
Love Sheila.

[Sheila]

Hi Terry,
I did mention the rig to my nurse, but she said there was a alot of mucus involved and didn't seem keen. But I see on here quite a few people have the rig. I think it could help me, seems a better way maybe.
Thanks Terry.
Love Sheila

[Ellie]

Sheila, you are not being silly - everyone is terrified of something and, no matter how irrational that fear may seem to others, to the person with the fear, it's very, very real.

This will sound odd but, do you think if you watched a video several times of doctors doing a PEG procedure that it would 'desensitise' your fear of having the procedure? This would, in theory at least, lessen your anxiety over the procedure by exposing you to very thing causing your fears. It's maybe something to think about...

And just to stress to you that you will be sedated for a PEG procedure, so you will be asleep and oblivious to any tubes or scopes - you will wake up and everything will be done. You can make the endoscopy team aware of your anxieties.

Anyway, I won't go on about it. I really just want to say please don't think you're silly re your feelings.

Big hugs to you.

Love Ellie.

[Terry]

Hi Sheila,

They might well recommend that you have a RIG, which is a very similar result but carried out from the outside. You do have a little tube put down through your nose but I hardly felt it, like you I was scared of gagging.

I don't think that a RIG is quite as good as a PEG but they will advise and hopefully listen to your concerns.

If you want to know more than there is a information sheet on the subject and I can sort out a link tomorrow.

Love Terry

[Sheila]

Thanks Ellie, I think it is the thought of tubes going down my throat and into the stomach. Even thinking about it makes me gag. I know I am being silly, but it is a major thing for me. I don't mind so much about the hole they make into the stomach, if they could do it all from outside I would feel calmer. But there you go I have to get it right in my head and over come these anxieties. Also I fear choking during the procedure and bleeding. The list goes on. Thanks for listening Ellie you are very kind and have lots of knowledge,
Speak soon.
Love Sheila.

[Ellie]

Hi Sheila,

It must be really hard for you with your anxieties to go through the whole thought process of whether or not to get a feeding tube, then to have the procedure - I'm sorry.

I'm glad you've a supportive hand-holder

Do you think there's anything that would make you even a bit less anxious? Is there anything about the whole thing that particularly increases your anxiety?

Love Ellie.

[Sheila]

Hi Lisa,
I am going through the same thing about the peg as well. I somehow need to get over my anxiety about it. The nurse said to me, you can always back out. Which dosent really help. Let us know how you get on Thursday.
Sheila x

[Catsparkle]

Thankyou ellie, i really really appreciate that advice. And yes, i definitely need ti have it, but i dont want to neeď it! But we've planned in a trip somewhere nice afterward, and my nutritionist is going to hold my hand (or see i don't back out,haha!)
Lisa x

[Ellie]

Hi Lisa.

Of course it's upsetting for you - it's a brutal reality check isn't it At the same time, you know it's the sensible thing to do, and, once it's done, it'll take one bit of stress away.

If I can suggest something to you? It is always best that children know exactly how and why equipment and aids will help you, so maybe have your daughter give you a "drink" of water through your PEG so she will understand more and the tube is nothing to fear.

My own kids used my PEG from a young age and I often was a "Show & Tell" subject as they revelled showing their friends how to give me food and water!! The concensus was it was "so cool"

Hope your daughter enjoys her next big adventure of secondary school.

Love Ellie.

[Catsparkle]

Thankyou lovely, i appreciate it xx

[Kayleigh]

It's great your flat is nearly ready Lisa. I'm sure it won't take long for you and your daughter to settle in and add your finishing touches to make it comfortable and homely.

Not long now before your daughter starts secondary school. I hope she enjoys her time there and her first day goes really well.

The Summer hols will soon be over but at least the weather has been good and hopefully you've had some sunny and enjoyable trips out with your family.

I hope everything goes smoothly at the consultation on Thursday.

Best wishes to you and your daughter and I hope everything in the coming weeks goes well for you both.

Love
Kayleigh x

[Catsparkle]

Two weeks to go Kayleigh! We've had to stay at my parent's for almost six months which has been challenging, but the flat is shaping up lovely 😁
The daughter is starting secondary school soon !

[Kayleigh]

Hi Lisa,

I can relate to what you are saying about how upsetting it to lose our ability and independence to do some things. It can take time to get used to needing help but Its good you have got some carers to help you and hopefully you are happy with them.

Sorry to hear you have problems swallowing. I don't have experience of a feeding tube but it sounds like a good idea so that you can still get all the nutrition and any meds you need.

Its great to hear your ex is being helpful with ticking things off on your bucket list. I hope your lovely daughter is ok and everything got sorted out concerning your housing.

Love and hugs,
Kayleigh x

[Catsparkle]

Thankyou Terry x my consultant mentioned i could need it for meds, and there is no way in on earth i can do without my antidepressant! Im still putting on weight, so presumably it will be a bit til its used, but i know physically it's better to have it in earlier.