feeding tubes and enzymes

N

NanaOf8GirlsAndCounting

Guest
We were told that viokase didn't work as well and the doctor would rather have us mix her enzymes with applesauce and run it thur the G-tube. We just layer the beads and apple sauce in a lg syringe and it goes thur pretty easy. Everything goes thur her tube. LOL, adek, vitamin D, prevaid, etc.... makes it alot easier then forcing her to gag them down. She has a bad gag reflux and would throw it all up. We know that she is getting it all now. Love the G-tube!!
 
H

hmw

New member
Which enzyme do you use, Cheryl? I've heard that with some the beads are too big to fit well through the tube.

eta> do you get up during the night to add more?
 
H

hmw

New member
Which enzyme do you use, Cheryl? I've heard that with some the beads are too big to fit well through the tube.

eta> do you get up during the night to add more?
 
H

hmw

New member
Which enzyme do you use, Cheryl? I've heard that with some the beads are too big to fit well through the tube.
<br />
<br />eta> do you get up during the night to add more?
 
I

izemmom

New member
HARRIET AND JENN GO TO THE SAME CLINIC?!?! How did I not know that? I'm so jealous. I want a clinic buddy, too!

Harriet, we use Pediasure Enteral Formula. We've tried Resource, Just For Kids and a few others, but nothing works. Emily throws everything else up.

Currently we are adding regular baby formula powder (older infant formula) to the Pediaure/Viokase cocktail for extra calories. The plan, as soon as clinic gets the scrip changed, is to use 2 cans of pediasure to one can of a carnation product, and let go of the baby formula. We are anxious for this to happen, since we've been buying baby formula for 7 out of the last 8 years!!!!

I'm worried about the swicth over to the crushed tablets. Our dietician has said that some families can't get it to work in the tube/pump, but she was sure we'd figure out something to share with the others. Ummmm. yeah.
 
I

izemmom

New member
HARRIET AND JENN GO TO THE SAME CLINIC?!?! How did I not know that? I'm so jealous. I want a clinic buddy, too!

Harriet, we use Pediasure Enteral Formula. We've tried Resource, Just For Kids and a few others, but nothing works. Emily throws everything else up.

Currently we are adding regular baby formula powder (older infant formula) to the Pediaure/Viokase cocktail for extra calories. The plan, as soon as clinic gets the scrip changed, is to use 2 cans of pediasure to one can of a carnation product, and let go of the baby formula. We are anxious for this to happen, since we've been buying baby formula for 7 out of the last 8 years!!!!

I'm worried about the swicth over to the crushed tablets. Our dietician has said that some families can't get it to work in the tube/pump, but she was sure we'd figure out something to share with the others. Ummmm. yeah.
 
I

izemmom

New member
HARRIET AND JENN GO TO THE SAME CLINIC?!?! How did I not know that? I'm so jealous. I want a clinic buddy, too!
<br />
<br />Harriet, we use Pediasure Enteral Formula. We've tried Resource, Just For Kids and a few others, but nothing works. Emily throws everything else up.
<br />
<br />Currently we are adding regular baby formula powder (older infant formula) to the Pediaure/Viokase cocktail for extra calories. The plan, as soon as clinic gets the scrip changed, is to use 2 cans of pediasure to one can of a carnation product, and let go of the baby formula. We are anxious for this to happen, since we've been buying baby formula for 7 out of the last 8 years!!!!
<br />
<br />I'm worried about the swicth over to the crushed tablets. Our dietician has said that some families can't get it to work in the tube/pump, but she was sure we'd figure out something to share with the others. Ummmm. yeah.
 
J

jshaver0912

Guest
My daughter, Gabrielle (15 months old), just got a g-tube almost 3 weeks ago. We are using Viokase in Peptamen Jr. 1.5. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is already elemental formula and we add the Viokase to it for additional digestion. We let it digest for 20-30 minutes prior to starting the feed. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is a medical flavor (they don't flavor the 1.5 version) and then after the Viokase has worked on it for 20-30 min it smells like reflux/vomit.

Gabrielle had quit eating foods by mouth and even stopped taking her Ultrase prior to getting her g-tube, however she would take formula with a sippy cup. For about a month prior to the g-tube she would drink the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 and Viokase mixture. Currently during the day we still offer her the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 with Viokase and she still takes a small amount of it. She is still not taking any other foods.

As far as the how the Viokase work compared to the Ultrase. I feel the Ultrase worked much better for her than the Viokase does. However, we have to give her what she will take while we try to get her to start eating again.
 
J

jshaver0912

Guest
My daughter, Gabrielle (15 months old), just got a g-tube almost 3 weeks ago. We are using Viokase in Peptamen Jr. 1.5. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is already elemental formula and we add the Viokase to it for additional digestion. We let it digest for 20-30 minutes prior to starting the feed. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is a medical flavor (they don't flavor the 1.5 version) and then after the Viokase has worked on it for 20-30 min it smells like reflux/vomit.

Gabrielle had quit eating foods by mouth and even stopped taking her Ultrase prior to getting her g-tube, however she would take formula with a sippy cup. For about a month prior to the g-tube she would drink the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 and Viokase mixture. Currently during the day we still offer her the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 with Viokase and she still takes a small amount of it. She is still not taking any other foods.

As far as the how the Viokase work compared to the Ultrase. I feel the Ultrase worked much better for her than the Viokase does. However, we have to give her what she will take while we try to get her to start eating again.
 
J

jshaver0912

Guest
My daughter, Gabrielle (15 months old), just got a g-tube almost 3 weeks ago. We are using Viokase in Peptamen Jr. 1.5. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is already elemental formula and we add the Viokase to it for additional digestion. We let it digest for 20-30 minutes prior to starting the feed. The Peptamen Jr 1.5 is a medical flavor (they don't flavor the 1.5 version) and then after the Viokase has worked on it for 20-30 min it smells like reflux/vomit.
<br />
<br />Gabrielle had quit eating foods by mouth and even stopped taking her Ultrase prior to getting her g-tube, however she would take formula with a sippy cup. For about a month prior to the g-tube she would drink the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 and Viokase mixture. Currently during the day we still offer her the Peptamen Jr. 1.5 with Viokase and she still takes a small amount of it. She is still not taking any other foods.
<br />
<br />As far as the how the Viokase work compared to the Ultrase. I feel the Ultrase worked much better for her than the Viokase does. However, we have to give her what she will take while we try to get her to start eating again.
 
H

hmw

New member
LOL Tami... we just figured it out ourselves pretty recently! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Want to come be clinic buddies with us? We love ours, and know they'd take great care of any of the kids here. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Thanks for the input on the formula. 'Enteral' just means (pardon my ignorance at this point) 'made for tube feeding and not to drink', right? I'd think that would be a good thing to use because then you can ditch all that sugar, artificial color and flavor, etc in most of the others and just give them what they NEED. I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of the formula!!

When given a product specifically designed to be given via tube, does insurance cover it?

Jenn- do they provide any of the supplement at clinic or just write a script? We have been getting Scandishakes by the box at clinic (enough for her to have 1-2 a day); wondering how it works for Weston and his Bright Beginnings.
 
H

hmw

New member
LOL Tami... we just figured it out ourselves pretty recently! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Want to come be clinic buddies with us? We love ours, and know they'd take great care of any of the kids here. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Thanks for the input on the formula. 'Enteral' just means (pardon my ignorance at this point) 'made for tube feeding and not to drink', right? I'd think that would be a good thing to use because then you can ditch all that sugar, artificial color and flavor, etc in most of the others and just give them what they NEED. I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of the formula!!

When given a product specifically designed to be given via tube, does insurance cover it?

Jenn- do they provide any of the supplement at clinic or just write a script? We have been getting Scandishakes by the box at clinic (enough for her to have 1-2 a day); wondering how it works for Weston and his Bright Beginnings.
 
H

hmw

New member
LOL Tami... we just figured it out ourselves pretty recently! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Want to come be clinic buddies with us? We love ours, and know they'd take great care of any of the kids here. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Thanks for the input on the formula. 'Enteral' just means (pardon my ignorance at this point) 'made for tube feeding and not to drink', right? I'd think that would be a good thing to use because then you can ditch all that sugar, artificial color and flavor, etc in most of the others and just give them what they NEED. I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of the formula!!
<br />
<br />When given a product specifically designed to be given via tube, does insurance cover it?
<br />
<br />Jenn- do they provide any of the supplement at clinic or just write a script? We have been getting Scandishakes by the box at clinic (enough for her to have 1-2 a day); wondering how it works for Weston and his Bright Beginnings.
<br />
 
I

izemmom

New member
JShaver- Oh my, it sounds like you are having quite a time of it with little Gabrielle! Are there reasons other than being tube fed at night that she is not taking other foods? Has she had other GI issues or surgeries? I can imagine it is frustrating to have a 15 month old who doesn't eat and experiment with food.

Since the Peptamin takes on a "vomit" aroma, it's probably a good thing it goes in the tube! Yech!

Harriet - "via tube not via mouth" is also the working definition I use for "enteral" although I never really looked it up!

Insurance has always covered (less the co-pay) EVERYTHING we've needed for Em's tube feedings. We've never had an issue, except for clinic and insurance being on the same page at the same time as far as approval of changes and stuff.
 
I

izemmom

New member
JShaver- Oh my, it sounds like you are having quite a time of it with little Gabrielle! Are there reasons other than being tube fed at night that she is not taking other foods? Has she had other GI issues or surgeries? I can imagine it is frustrating to have a 15 month old who doesn't eat and experiment with food.

Since the Peptamin takes on a "vomit" aroma, it's probably a good thing it goes in the tube! Yech!

Harriet - "via tube not via mouth" is also the working definition I use for "enteral" although I never really looked it up!

Insurance has always covered (less the co-pay) EVERYTHING we've needed for Em's tube feedings. We've never had an issue, except for clinic and insurance being on the same page at the same time as far as approval of changes and stuff.
 
I

izemmom

New member
JShaver- Oh my, it sounds like you are having quite a time of it with little Gabrielle! Are there reasons other than being tube fed at night that she is not taking other foods? Has she had other GI issues or surgeries? I can imagine it is frustrating to have a 15 month old who doesn't eat and experiment with food.
<br />
<br />Since the Peptamin takes on a "vomit" aroma, it's probably a good thing it goes in the tube! Yech!
<br />
<br />Harriet - "via tube not via mouth" is also the working definition I use for "enteral" although I never really looked it up!
<br />
<br />Insurance has always covered (less the co-pay) EVERYTHING we've needed for Em's tube feedings. We've never had an issue, except for clinic and insurance being on the same page at the same time as far as approval of changes and stuff.
 
H

hockeykid

New member
Enteral nutrition is a liquid form of nutrition delivered orally or to the gut. Some enteral formulas can be taken by mouth. I am on Isosource 1.5. I can drink it for extra nutrition if I choose to. I hope this helps.
 
H

hockeykid

New member
Enteral nutrition is a liquid form of nutrition delivered orally or to the gut. Some enteral formulas can be taken by mouth. I am on Isosource 1.5. I can drink it for extra nutrition if I choose to. I hope this helps.
 
H

hockeykid

New member
Enteral nutrition is a liquid form of nutrition delivered orally or to the gut. Some enteral formulas can be taken by mouth. I am on Isosource 1.5. I can drink it for extra nutrition if I choose to. I hope this helps.
 
W

westonsmom

New member
Harriett, As Tami said we get our nutrition paid for through insurance and get it through professional home care.

Tami, I also believe you should drop everything and move to CT to be with us! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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