The G-Tube /I would like info/advice

[anonymous]

My son is 15 years old. He has Cystic Fibrosis and insulin dependent diabetes. He is in the hospital right now with a lung infection. Over the last year or so the doctors have been wanting to give my son the feeding tube, he has resisted. Now with his weight only at 89 lbs. they are pretty much giving no other option but to get the g-tube. My son, like most CF patients already go thru so much and take numerous drugs already that adding one more thing is making me and my son overwhelmed. I would like to know if there is someone that could give some advise on this subject. I don't know much about the feeding tube. I would like to know the pros and cons that other cf patients have experienced with the g-tube. Thank you so much. Crista (mom of a CF teenager)

 

[anonymous]

Hi my name is Kaitlyn. I have been on an NG tube feeding for 7 years now I am 18 years old. An NG tube feeding is a feeding that goes through the nose in to the stomach. I did not want a G- tube because I did not want scaring on my stomach. The feedings are good in that you dont have to put as much stress on your self to make sure you eat the right amount of calories. They are also done through the night while you sleep so it does not interfer with anything. The down side of this is that your body becomes dependent on the feedings after awhile. when you take a day off from the feedings he will probably be very hungry in the morning. One other problem I am having now, and I dont know if other kids are having the same problems, but my intestine is not handling the feedings as well as they use to, I am basically tiring them out because they are not getting the rest they need through the night. so my intestines are working 24/7 when they should be getting a break. I hope this does not scare you in anyway these are just some of the things I have noticed and gone through for 7 years. I hope your son feels better and good luck in what ever you decide.

Kaitlyn