u/c0ltZ

Hello all, I have SMA syndrome and got an NJ tube about 2 weeks ago due to being 105 pounds at 5'9.

Since getting the tube installed, I have lost 5 pounds. I was able to maintain my weight at 105 before getting it. But whenever I run my feeds now, the acid reflux is so severe I can't eat anything.

I can't even handle 5 ML an hour on the Nestle fibersource 1.2 formula, or peptamen with prebio 1.5 without severe acid reflux. So it just doesn't make sense to run 5 ML an hour just so I end up missing out on the 1000 calories that I would've otherwise eaten.

I'm honestly just so disappointed since this was the plan to finally get me to gain substantial weight. I personally feel like the tube was a mistake and only made things worse.

I'm very doubtful another formula will change things and just make me waste more money and calories trying to find one that won't work.

I'm tempted to just get the tube removed before I end up on TPN. I was able to maintain my weight before, but now it's harder than ever since I lost even more weight due to the tube and the acid reflux it gives me from just being in my throat.

This is more of a rant, I'm just really upset over all of this, and honestly scared if I end up being unable to eat food in my lifetime, that a feeding tube won't help.

I have an NJ tube due to my SMA syndrome. I started at 25 ML an hour and it always made me sick, but I kept increasing the feed rate 10% each day until I hit 31. At that point I was so sick and in so much pain I had to go to the ER. They said nothing was wrong and sent me on my way.

Ever since then I can't even handle 15 ML an hour during the day or 5 ML an hour at night without waking up feeling incredibly bloated in pain and my throat burning due to the reflux.

I was able to eat by mouth far better than the tube can feed me. But whenever I run the feeds, I can't really eat much of anything. I'm losing a pound almost every other day. I don't think I have ever been this sick before, the acid reflux is severe even after I take omeprazole.

I'm trying to figure out what to do, my GI is saying to just decrease the feed rate, but I can barely even handle 5 ML an hour at night. Thats like 7 calories an hour just to feel like crap and not being to eat.

I don't know what's wrong, could there be too much air getting in the line, maybe I need a new formula? Has anyone else had this problem? I just need some help.

My 10 year old, 15 pound cat (Not fat, just a big boy) has this scab on his forehead that he will not stop kicking off. I'm getting worried since the scar keeps getting bigger and bigger.

I tried on of those velcro/plastic cones and he was traumatized. He wouldn't move until we took it off, and even then he would sit still for 10-15 minutes in shock with it off.

I don't know if I just bought a bad cone cause I did notice it was touching his ears when I put it on. And when I tried to widen it to give his head more room, he would just easily slip it off.

I feel as though if I kept the cone on for prolonged periods it would do more harm then good. I have never seen him act more traumatized than after putting the cone on him. He would just would sit there frozen, that can't be good.

I was trying to find a pillow collar for him, but all the ones I could find online seemed too easily slip off or didn't prevent them from kicking their head.

Are there any good pillow collars or plastic cones that you would recommend for larger feral cats? Maybe there is some way I can train/ease him into the plastic cones? I just need any advice please.

I'm getting a feeding tube today due to my SMA syndrome. I'm a 5'9 male at 105 pounds.

I'm honestly terrified, since it is the PEG tube into my small intestine. I never had issues with surgeries but this one disturbs me.

The worst part for me is the maintenance and cleaning. The idea of having a hole in my stomach that can leak bio fluids makes my skin crawl. Then hearing about how sometimes they dislodge and need to be replaced.

Another big concern is the feeding, I heard a lot of people will have a backpack with a pump, but how long would these feedings typically take? I don't want to wear a backpack all day especially while sitting at my desk, I can't really fit on my chair with a backpack on.

Lastly is the cleaning, how does the cleaning work? I also heard you have to flush out the line after every meal, is it a lot of work constantly maintaining it all?

I just hate to be at the point I need a feeding tube, and how much of an impact it will make on my life.