'Liquid Hope' - PEG and nutrition

[FlyingSoupDragon]

Here is a post from a blog I found interesting and thought provoking.

In Liquid Hope Eric discusses something that strikes at the heart of life, nutrition. He had problems with the liquids being trickled down his PEG. Plenty of food for though, particularly if your lunch comes down a tube.

I'd be really interested in your thoughts guys... I'm awaiting a date with the endoscope operative.


j-tube.png

[Terry]

Hi Norman;

I have never studied the ingredients and have never taken them.

I would recommend that you have a PEG operation rather than a RIG.

Love Terry

[Ellie]

Just to put things in perspective, HFCS High Fructose Corn Syrup, is NOT used in feeds this side of the Atlantic.
Ignore Eric’s scaremongering about HFCS, whatever about his “Liquid Hope” that he is flogging.

[Terry]

Hi Norman;

I don't think your picture is correct and it is labeled wrong. I'm no expert but I believe it shows the RIG procedure.

I think that there is a soft plastic disc on the inside and not any balloon. The balloon systems last about four months before needing replacing where the discs last for three years or more. Balloons require small maintenance every week as well.

I have been told by my specialist that there are slightly more problems after the RIG procedure than a PEG one.

Hospitals won't do a RIG if your breathing is poor and they will opt for a RIG or maybe PIG as they can resuscitate you easier and don't have to lay you flat.

Love Terry

Steve have amended this post to explain my views.

[Steve]

Hi Norman;

I have never studied the ingredients and have never taken them.

I would recommend that you have a PEG operation rather than a RIG.

Love Terry

can i ask why terry?

[Terry]

Hi Steve;

I was amending my post so have included your answer into that.

Just ask if you would like more info.

Love Terry

[Steve]

aah, well i had a rig and the disc.

i was told before my procedure that there are two systems, the balloon and the disc but they were not linked to the type of procedure. ie. you could have a peg with a balloon or a rig with a disc or vice versa.

[Terry]

Hi Steve;

I was pushed into a RIG as well by local hospital even though my breathing was Ok. Should have had it done at Addenbrooks as they were more than happy to do a PEG. Still we all make mistakes or perhaps don't push hard enough.

I think you're wrong or we have a misunderstanding about Balloons and discs. I am talking about what's inside your stomach.

I think that the PEG tube is fitted from the inside so can have a disc to seal and retain the tube inside the stomach and on the outside skin. Where as in a RIG procedure the tube is inserted from the outside inwards, making it not possible to have a disc on the inside so that is why they use a balloon to seal and retain the tube inside and a disc on the outside of the skin.

Not sure but a PIG might use a balloon on the inside???

Love Terry

[Steve]

during my rig procudure the whole tube went through my mouth so inside to out. they slipped my bipap mask to the side for a split second to feed it down.

trust me, disc inside and rig procedure. no balloons here.

maybe it varies place to place, i might be lucky.

[Terry]

I think your experts have named it wrongly. Looking at the info on the net, a Rig is inserted through the skin into the stomach.

To me it sounds like you have a PEG or maybe a PIG.

I'm no expert but would put money on it.

Anyway, I think you have a better method than me.

Love Terry

PS:- Where did you get that image from Norman?

[Steve]

it may have been a pig, although i'm not sure what the difference is between a pig or a rig. i know i wasn't fit enough for a peg.

there's a hole in the literature that i believe is being closed.

sorry about your tube!

[Billie]

Hi
My Mum had a RIG and it's definitely got a balloon. The district nurse comes weekly to maintain it which involves inflating it with water.
She was told a RIG would be better as she had breathing problems
It was done a year or so ago
Sarah

[Terry]

Hi Steve;

It appears that both PEG and a PIG are done by putting tubes in from the inside and going out and a RIG goes from the outside in. Both PIG and PEG use a plastic disc on the inside and are both long term tubes where a RIG uses a balloon inflated with normally 5ml of water and last about 3/4 months before being replaced at home.

The main difference between PEG and a PIG is the method they use to find the site hole.

Love Terry

[Steve]

i wonder how they decide between pig and rig then.

[Terry]

I think that they do a RIG when the breathing is okish and a PIG or a RIG when there is a concern. I don't think that all hospitals offer or do PIG's and my hospital only done RIG's for people with Mnd, at least that is what she said to me.