Tired of NG tubes and long hospital stays... PEG tube???

Hello,

I posted this post somewhere else, so I am just copying the post to here since it is more likely that I am going to get an answer here. For those of you who don't know, a PEG tube goes in through your abdomen and you (or someone more trustable ) administers the feedings, right in the comfort of your own home. Anyway, here's the post. Hope to get some good feedback!

I am a 27 year old woman who has been battling severe chronic Anorexia Nervosa for almost 12 years. During various hospital and treatment stays, I've had the NG-tube put in, with obviously very little success. My last treatment stay (my 12th stay in a treatment facility)was a last-dtch effort to make me well. At the center, they had me gain 90 pounds (I'm 5'4" and I went in at 60 lbs and left 150 Lbs), and I immediately returned to my old ways. It's been several months (for a few months I did pretty good, then I just took a downward spiral) and I am back to an estimated 128-130 lbs... *way* too high for me. *But* I do realize that my dietitian, therapist, and parents don't agree with my weight loss plans. They want me to "eat more" and "drink boost" and "go to the hospital and get refed", but I will have none of that. Then I heard someone talking about a PEG-tube. How does it work? Do you administer the feedings yourself (or, more probably in my case, have someone else do it for you?) How long does a person normally have a PEG tube in? My dietitian says that I am losing a steady 10 lbs a month and though I am not underweight now, I will be sometime soon. I *refuse* to go back to those treatment centers. I feel that the PEG tube might be a better idea. We're having a "family meeting" on Thursay. Can I bring this up as a viable idea. A doctor of mine had suggested a PEG tube a long time ago, but it's been years... I think I'm ready for it now. Do you?

Bjork

Sweatheart if it will keep you alive and healthy, YES get it done NOW
Love ya
Angie

But it's hard for me to tell if I am actually doing "bad enough" to warrant such a thing. See, I do eat... just not enough, according to other people's standards. I'm going to see if I can bring it up in tomorrow's "family meeting" with my dietitian. I'm just scared of being shot down and feeling totally embarrassed

Bjork

I had a little friend who died of cancer recently. During his chemo and then when he could no longer get treatment, he had an NG and eventually a PEG. I know that he resisted it for a long time, and it was not comfortable. But once it was done, it relieved his anxiety (and his parents') about eating. I understand that his parents did the NG and PEG feedings for him (he was only 10). So I think that it probably is a fairly self-managing kind of thing. If it would ease your stress and anxiety about adequate nutrition, maybe you should do this for yourself.

Hey Bjork, I'd love to hear anything that's been up with you. Are you still here with us? Right now, my hubby and I are discussing an NG tube again, but doctors have told us I'm not emaciated enough like before to get one. What did you say to yours?!