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NG tubes vs G tubes

jimiv

New member
Well we go in on Friday to see Parker's specialist and we are already looking to set a date for placing his tube. The doctor is advocating for a G tube and I agree. The problem is that my son is trying hard to lobby for a NG tube instead so he can avoid surgery. He seems to have resigned himself to the fact that this is going to happen accompanied with feeling depressed. I have heard several times over the last two weeks "I am losing weight by the minute and I am going to starve to death". Granted Parker has a flair for the dramatic, but I do not want him to be cut out of the decision process. Everything I see tells me that the G tube is really the best option but I am looking for any expereince with the NG tube to help him see this too. I really do not see him sticking the tube in his nose every night. I hope all had a happy new year.
 

jimiv

New member
Well we go in on Friday to see Parker's specialist and we are already looking to set a date for placing his tube. The doctor is advocating for a G tube and I agree. The problem is that my son is trying hard to lobby for a NG tube instead so he can avoid surgery. He seems to have resigned himself to the fact that this is going to happen accompanied with feeling depressed. I have heard several times over the last two weeks "I am losing weight by the minute and I am going to starve to death". Granted Parker has a flair for the dramatic, but I do not want him to be cut out of the decision process. Everything I see tells me that the G tube is really the best option but I am looking for any expereince with the NG tube to help him see this too. I really do not see him sticking the tube in his nose every night. I hope all had a happy new year.
 

jimiv

New member
Well we go in on Friday to see Parker's specialist and we are already looking to set a date for placing his tube. The doctor is advocating for a G tube and I agree. The problem is that my son is trying hard to lobby for a NG tube instead so he can avoid surgery. He seems to have resigned himself to the fact that this is going to happen accompanied with feeling depressed. I have heard several times over the last two weeks "I am losing weight by the minute and I am going to starve to death". Granted Parker has a flair for the dramatic, but I do not want him to be cut out of the decision process. Everything I see tells me that the G tube is really the best option but I am looking for any expereince with the NG tube to help him see this too. I really do not see him sticking the tube in his nose every night. I hope all had a happy new year.
 

jimiv

New member
Well we go in on Friday to see Parker's specialist and we are already looking to set a date for placing his tube. The doctor is advocating for a G tube and I agree. The problem is that my son is trying hard to lobby for a NG tube instead so he can avoid surgery. He seems to have resigned himself to the fact that this is going to happen accompanied with feeling depressed. I have heard several times over the last two weeks "I am losing weight by the minute and I am going to starve to death". Granted Parker has a flair for the dramatic, but I do not want him to be cut out of the decision process. Everything I see tells me that the G tube is really the best option but I am looking for any expereince with the NG tube to help him see this too. I really do not see him sticking the tube in his nose every night. I hope all had a happy new year.
 

jimiv

New member
Well we go in on Friday to see Parker's specialist and we are already looking to set a date for placing his tube. The doctor is advocating for a G tube and I agree. The problem is that my son is trying hard to lobby for a NG tube instead so he can avoid surgery. He seems to have resigned himself to the fact that this is going to happen accompanied with feeling depressed. I have heard several times over the last two weeks "I am losing weight by the minute and I am going to starve to death". Granted Parker has a flair for the dramatic, but I do not want him to be cut out of the decision process. Everything I see tells me that the G tube is really the best option but I am looking for any expereince with the NG tube to help him see this too. I really do not see him sticking the tube in his nose every night. I hope all had a happy new year.
 

AnnaH

New member
Why not let him try the NG? The main problems are that it's uncomfortable, but it's easily taken out.
I wanted the same thing when I was 8 and getting a G tube. My doctors agreed to let me try the NG. *If* I could tolerate it they would have let me do feeds for 2 weeks. As soon as it went in I knew i'd rather have surgery than deal with it every night. It was kindof a waste of time, but it really helped me deal with the whole gtbe thing better.

... I think you need to humour him. I think part of the reason i'm okay with the gtube was that it was largely my decision. The doctors suggested it, but i felt like I had the ability to say no.
 

AnnaH

New member
Why not let him try the NG? The main problems are that it's uncomfortable, but it's easily taken out.
I wanted the same thing when I was 8 and getting a G tube. My doctors agreed to let me try the NG. *If* I could tolerate it they would have let me do feeds for 2 weeks. As soon as it went in I knew i'd rather have surgery than deal with it every night. It was kindof a waste of time, but it really helped me deal with the whole gtbe thing better.

... I think you need to humour him. I think part of the reason i'm okay with the gtube was that it was largely my decision. The doctors suggested it, but i felt like I had the ability to say no.
 

AnnaH

New member
Why not let him try the NG? The main problems are that it's uncomfortable, but it's easily taken out.
I wanted the same thing when I was 8 and getting a G tube. My doctors agreed to let me try the NG. *If* I could tolerate it they would have let me do feeds for 2 weeks. As soon as it went in I knew i'd rather have surgery than deal with it every night. It was kindof a waste of time, but it really helped me deal with the whole gtbe thing better.

... I think you need to humour him. I think part of the reason i'm okay with the gtube was that it was largely my decision. The doctors suggested it, but i felt like I had the ability to say no.
 

AnnaH

New member
Why not let him try the NG? The main problems are that it's uncomfortable, but it's easily taken out.
I wanted the same thing when I was 8 and getting a G tube. My doctors agreed to let me try the NG. *If* I could tolerate it they would have let me do feeds for 2 weeks. As soon as it went in I knew i'd rather have surgery than deal with it every night. It was kindof a waste of time, but it really helped me deal with the whole gtbe thing better.

... I think you need to humour him. I think part of the reason i'm okay with the gtube was that it was largely my decision. The doctors suggested it, but i felt like I had the ability to say no.
 

AnnaH

New member
Why not let him try the NG? The main problems are that it's uncomfortable, but it's easily taken out.
I wanted the same thing when I was 8 and getting a G tube. My doctors agreed to let me try the NG. *If* I could tolerate it they would have let me do feeds for 2 weeks. As soon as it went in I knew i'd rather have surgery than deal with it every night. It was kindof a waste of time, but it really helped me deal with the whole gtbe thing better.

... I think you need to humour him. I think part of the reason i'm okay with the gtube was that it was largely my decision. The doctors suggested it, but i felt like I had the ability to say no.
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Jim, I'd let him try the NG tube too. My kids probably would have chosen that option first (if they were given a chance to choose). The NG tube is very uncomfortable at first so compliance may be an issue. But the bottom line is Parker needs to be a part of the decision making.

Be prepared to switch to G-tubes if necessary, but it will help your son's mental health to do it his way first.

Good luck!

BTW- you're doing the right thing by asking questions. Parker is a lucky kid to have an educated dad.
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Jim, I'd let him try the NG tube too. My kids probably would have chosen that option first (if they were given a chance to choose). The NG tube is very uncomfortable at first so compliance may be an issue. But the bottom line is Parker needs to be a part of the decision making.

Be prepared to switch to G-tubes if necessary, but it will help your son's mental health to do it his way first.

Good luck!

BTW- you're doing the right thing by asking questions. Parker is a lucky kid to have an educated dad.
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Jim, I'd let him try the NG tube too. My kids probably would have chosen that option first (if they were given a chance to choose). The NG tube is very uncomfortable at first so compliance may be an issue. But the bottom line is Parker needs to be a part of the decision making.

Be prepared to switch to G-tubes if necessary, but it will help your son's mental health to do it his way first.

Good luck!

BTW- you're doing the right thing by asking questions. Parker is a lucky kid to have an educated dad.
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Jim, I'd let him try the NG tube too. My kids probably would have chosen that option first (if they were given a chance to choose). The NG tube is very uncomfortable at first so compliance may be an issue. But the bottom line is Parker needs to be a part of the decision making.

Be prepared to switch to G-tubes if necessary, but it will help your son's mental health to do it his way first.

Good luck!

BTW- you're doing the right thing by asking questions. Parker is a lucky kid to have an educated dad.
 

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Jim, I'd let him try the NG tube too. My kids probably would have chosen that option first (if they were given a chance to choose). The NG tube is very uncomfortable at first so compliance may be an issue. But the bottom line is Parker needs to be a part of the decision making.

Be prepared to switch to G-tubes if necessary, but it will help your son's mental health to do it his way first.

Good luck!

BTW- you're doing the right thing by asking questions. Parker is a lucky kid to have an educated dad.
 

izemmom

New member
I've said this before, but that Anna is one smart cookie! I think her insight is right on the money, here. You lose nothing by letting him try the ng first. As long as you make it clear that if it doesn't get the desired result (i.e. he does it nightly, he gains weight...) then he gets a g-tube. He needs some control and this is the perfect way of giving him some, but you still remain in the "driver's seat."

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is.
 

izemmom

New member
I've said this before, but that Anna is one smart cookie! I think her insight is right on the money, here. You lose nothing by letting him try the ng first. As long as you make it clear that if it doesn't get the desired result (i.e. he does it nightly, he gains weight...) then he gets a g-tube. He needs some control and this is the perfect way of giving him some, but you still remain in the "driver's seat."

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is.
 

izemmom

New member
I've said this before, but that Anna is one smart cookie! I think her insight is right on the money, here. You lose nothing by letting him try the ng first. As long as you make it clear that if it doesn't get the desired result (i.e. he does it nightly, he gains weight...) then he gets a g-tube. He needs some control and this is the perfect way of giving him some, but you still remain in the "driver's seat."

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is.
 

izemmom

New member
I've said this before, but that Anna is one smart cookie! I think her insight is right on the money, here. You lose nothing by letting him try the ng first. As long as you make it clear that if it doesn't get the desired result (i.e. he does it nightly, he gains weight...) then he gets a g-tube. He needs some control and this is the perfect way of giving him some, but you still remain in the "driver's seat."

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is.
 

izemmom

New member
I've said this before, but that Anna is one smart cookie! I think her insight is right on the money, here. You lose nothing by letting him try the ng first. As long as you make it clear that if it doesn't get the desired result (i.e. he does it nightly, he gains weight...) then he gets a g-tube. He needs some control and this is the perfect way of giving him some, but you still remain in the "driver's seat."

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is.
 
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