When I knew that I needed one I planned ahead and asked one of the nice nurses to insert it. Because she made me more relaxed I didn't tense up so the tube went down relatively easily.

i assume that people are always given water to drink as the tube is inserted?

Hi, Sarah,

No, I got no water with mine. But with a blockage I think the whole point of the thing is to get out whats already in your stomach and then not put anything else down.

They had the 'Nil by mouth' sign up on me, so no water, no nothing for a long time ( the next day).

They did get an IV inserted quickly  and started a saline drip.

Dehydration is a real problem with any kind of blockage.

I had a good nurse too, she just went fast and had me swallowing as she pushed the thing in ( horrible feeling for sure!). I didn't want to have to redo it, so I really bore down on getting it done.

Then they brought in a mobile X ray ( or some thing like that) and checked the placement in my stomach. They pushed it in a bit more until the doctor was satisfied.

Mine was for a blockage caused by a strangulation of my illium by my peristomal hernia.

I was given pain killers and anti nausea meds in the IV line. Then my abdomen relaxed enough for the ileum to free itself. Kept me in Hosp. overnight with the tube ( attached to a pump to draw out anything). They removed it the next day...unpleasant to have it pulled out, but way better than the reverse!

So, I go for a consultation this week for hernia repair. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Hi Dona,  

How didi you know you had a hernia?   Symptoms?

Water... some patients get it and others don't. As Dona pointed out, the idea of the NG tube is to get stuff out of the stomach, but it's supposed to be easier for the tube to go down (without a gag reflex) if water is swallowed at the same time. 

I don't think the small amount of water is going to cause much harm since it'll come out once the tube is down there. But if it decreases gagging by even a little then I think it's worth asking for!

Hi Fred,

I went to the ER with pain in my abdomen, sweating , feeling really bad. I though it  was a blockage.

After waiting five hours  in a plastic chair (!!!!) to be seen by a doctor they did a cat scan on my abdomen and actually caught a picture of the illium being strangled by the hernia ( sounds pretty predatory, huh?)

Apparently most of us will get a peristomal hernia at some time ( and certainly a blockage). So it might be good to be aware of that possibility. As far as I can tell, it might feel just like a blockage as it results in the same thing ... nothing getting through. ( Which you also will see as your bag does not fill). DUH!So much fun!

Hi Eric,Re water & the Horrortube,

Yes, good idea to ask for a bit of water. I had never previously had  this procedure and didn't even think to ask. Out of my head by then anyway!  I really don't want to HAVE to get good at this!

Thanks again .

Fred, I forgot,

Also I had nausea. I think you might not know you have a hernia unless your illium slips through there and gets caught which then causes the blockage. I don't know. Might be good to know if there are any other symptoms of this condition. Also, what I want to know now ( and don't) is what, if anything I can do until its repaired to minimizes the likelihood of another blockage ( caused by the hernia and not food blockage). They told me to go back to my regular food, after easing into it over a few days. Soft foods at first. So far, I have not had another one. They did say that it would keep happening until its fixed.

If, or when I find out I will share! Oh Boy!

Posted by: Dona

 

I really don't want to HAVE to get good at this!

It's an unfortunate reality for some patients to have to get multiple NG tubes inserted over their lifetime, so this "skill" might be worth learning. 

Hi Dona,

My Symptoms are very similar. Thank you for the info.

Hi Fred,

You should really get a doctor to check it out if you are having these symptoms.

If its some kind of blockage, its serious, and if its something else they need to figure out why its happening.

GOOD LUCK!

Sooner is better on these things....even though we are all very tired to doctor visits!

Posted by: Sarah Green

 

When I knew that I needed one I planned ahead and asked one of the nice nurses to insert it. Because she made me more relaxed I didn't tense up so the tube went down relatively easily.

i assume that people are always given water to drink as the tube is inserted?

   

I did the same but i think it ended up take a few tries to get down :( 

and Yes water was needed :)

I would definitely recommend taking a couple of sips of water when they insert the NG tube, otherwise it can be like swallowing with a mouth full of cream crackers whilst crying. The water relaxes the throat, lubricates, and creates a natural downward movement.

Yes patients are normally nbm at this stage  but a couple of sips of water will not make a significant difference, the body will naturally be producing a certain amount of fluid through saliva, mucus and gastric juice anyway. 

Is this NG tub the one that goes to the stomach through your nose? I was told it helps with nausea, i think. I had on of those but they put it in place while i was still under. Luckily it seems. Are these blockages common? I have never had one, but maybe its because I'm a colostomate? 

Donna,

Visited the MD and was told to increase fiber and see if it helps. Hope its as easy as that and nothing requiring surgery. Wini

Posted by: Fred

 

Donna,

Visited the MD and was told to increase fiber and see if it helps. 

Did they say which type of fiber? Soluble and insoluble behave quite differently as it passes through our system. 

Posted by: Kae

 

Is this NG tub the one that goes to the stomach through your nose? I was told it helps with nausea, i think. I had on of those but they put it in place while i was still under. Luckily it seems. Are these blockages common? I have never had one, but maybe its because I'm a colostomate? 

   

Yes, they go into your stomach through the nose

They are commonly used if you have a blockage and some people experience blockages more than others. 

I've only had one blockage that landed me in the hospital, but I know other ileostomates who have them often. 

Colostomates tend to have them far less frequently. 

Oh yes!!! Water, water, water. If they don't offer it, ask for it. Also ask your nurse how many NG procedures s/he has done. You want someone with plenty of experience as it can be pretty scary. You just need a few small swallows to get the tube past the gag point, and then the worst of getting the tube down is over. Or get a mouthful of water, hold it in your mouth, and take tiny swallows as the tube goes down. I have trouble holding my breath as the tube is inserted (panic, I guess!) so the mouthful thing doesn't work well for me, but the small sips is OK. The water you drank is sucked back up by the NG tube once they start the suction going so even tho you are NBM, having the few sips isn't going to hurt. Trust me, after 3 NG tube (horrible) experiences, water makes it easier ... well, easier relatively speaking! Ick!!!

Posted by: bluesgal

 

Also ask your nurse how many NG procedures s/he has done. You want someone with plenty of experience as it can be pretty scary.

My first NG tube was done by a nurse who said I was her first patient (getting the NG tube)... I really wished she didn't announce that as it made me more uncomfortable about the idea... Things did not go well and it took many attempts to get it down. 

As far as I know I have only had the experience of a trapped ( incarcerated ) illium ...(trapped by my peristomal hernia).  I was wondering if the symptoms of this ( nausea, shivering, chills ,pain) is the same as for a blockage?

Do we know enough to be able to tell the difference?

The treatment would be different I think depending on what is causing the symptoms. It would be good to know what to tell the ER. Maybe we can't tell without the CAT scan. Any thoughts out there in Happy Ostomyland?