OVERVIEW OF USING A GTUBE AT HOME FOR FEEDING

Here is a nice handout developed by the UnIversity of Pittsburg Medical Center for patients who will be using a g-tube at home. Discusses safety measures, medications that can be taken in the tube, etc.  http://www.upmc.com/HealthAtoZ/patienteducation/Documents/GastroTubeFeed.pdf

Recipe suggestions ETC. from other websites:

SPOHNC -- A great place for information and support for head and neck cancer patients.  Recipe Book: http://www.spohnc.org/recipe_resource_guide.php

A Very Active Discussion Board on Tube Feeding - You have to register and be approved to add a post yourself but you should be able to review all discussions without registering.  Answers to almost any kind of question you can imagine from other tube feeding people - use your common sense and take what you like. Excellent resource for adults and children on blending techniques, recipes and equipment. I was happy to see Lucy's mentioned as a resource too. http://forums.blenderizeddiet.net/viewforum.php?f=4

Discussion Group of people doing Real Food tube feeding:  many life long tube feeding experts on this site.  Lots of good information. http://www.inspire.com/groups/oley-foundation/discussion/tube-feeding-real-food/

A Yahoo group about blended diet tube feeding for adults - this is a link sent by one of our readers who says it is a very useful group to learn about tube feeding. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Blenderized-Diet/   You can join this group by sending an email to: Blenderized-Diet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com   Recently, the group moderator decided somewhat arbitrarily that some people aren't allowed to be members of the group - if this happens to you, I'm so sorry....we're not sure what's going on but it's worth a try to join because the ongoing discussion is helpful for learning new techniques and ideas to try.

Another good resource with lots of background on working with doctors, recipes, challenges, strategies, etc. relates to feeding a child with a pump organically using a Vitamix but excellent info.  She has moved to an all organic blenderized diet: http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/homemade-blenderized-formula-for-g-tube/

A well-written blog with some good advice for owners of a Vitamix or Blendtec (these suggestions won't work for those with regular blenders or food processors) http://pedalingbackwards.com/2011/03/10/are-you-a-newbie-to-blended-meals/
 

VITAMIX MEDICAL NECESSITY DISCOUNT

People often ask about this.  If you have medical need, you can request a discounted Vitamix.  Call 1-800-848-2649 and ask the operator to speak to someone about a medical needs purchase.  They will then transfer you to a service representative who will e-mail you the necessary forms and instructions. The Vitamix Medical Needs Program gives you a 25% discount on a reconditioned Vitamix 5200 coming out to $299 plus tax and free shipping and handling.  You can also buy a reconditioned Vitamix here: https://secure.vitamix.com/acb/stores/4/Special-Deals-C119.aspx

Tube Feeding Recipes Do's and Do NOT'S Discussion

There are some not-so-great remarks by one commentator about Lucy's here but there is also a lot of good information so the link remains for now: http://www.alsforums.com/forum/tips-tricks-gadgets/8346-blender-recipes-tube-feeding-dos-donts.html

UCLOGGING TUBES

• How to Unclog a G-Tube:  http://www.ehow.com/how_5135339_unclog-gtube-feeding-tube.html
   

• http://pedalingbackwards.com/all-about-g-tubes/unclogging-g-tubes-and-extensions/
   

• Enteral nutrition complication chart and suggested steps to address the complications from the Oley Foundation - includes clogged tubes, upset stomach, etc.  http://www.oley.org/charts/newHEN.pdf
   

• A 2005 study with several solutions for unclogging tubes:  http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=142656
   

• De Clogger  http://www.bionixmed.com/MED_Pages/DeClogger.html. You can also buy this device here: http://www.mountainside-medical.com/products/Enteral-Feeding-Tube-DeClogger.html
   

• Clog Zapper by Viasys Medsystems (Wheeling, IL; 800-323-6305)
   

• Unfortunately, the following device has been discontinued as of 2010: InTRO-ReDUCER by Health Improvement Associates (Freeland, MI; 800-526-6364).

Many people are asking about tube diameter etc. and this is the most helpful article I've found yet discussing different types. This article is about medication administration through an enteral tube.  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/585397_3

Another discussion of switching to real food and some discussion of tube size is found here (you may have to sign up for the site to see these postings but it is worth it):

http://www.inspire.com/groups/oley-foundation/discussion/switched-from-pediasure-to-real-food-help/

FOR CHILDRENS WITH TUBES
An incredible resource, well-researched and documented advice.   http://www.kidswithtubes.org/index_files/webnewsNutrition.PDF

All organic pump feeding using a Vitamix: http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/homemade-blenderized-formula-for-g-tube/

Homemade Blended Formula Cookbook - focused on pediatric feeding but the same principles apply:
http://www.mealtimenotions.com/HomemadeBlendedFormulaHandbook.htm

If you are tube feeding a child, this is an insightful blog with links to other useful sites:  http://shawntain.typepad.com/my_weblog/tube-resources.html

A well-written blog with some good advice for owners of a Vitamix or Blendtec (these suggestions won't work for those with regular blenders or food processors) http://pedalingbackwards.com/2011/03/10/are-you-a-newbie-to-blended-meals/

Another site with some sample recipes: blenderizeddiet.com.

OTHER INFORMATION

THE OLEY FOUNDATION

The Oley Foundation is a national, independent, non-profit organization that provides education, outreach, emotional support, and information on home parenteral and enteral nutrition. Oley can be contacted at (800)776-OLEY or www.oley.org.  Apply now for a travel scholarship to attend the 2011 Oley Conference in MN!

Check here for donations of liquid nutrition and equipment if you have financial need.

The one canned nutrition product I know of that is made with real food see Compleat at http://www.nestle-nutrition.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductId=3b2e0608-a260-4023-b890-d5b41d2abc87

If you are really pressed to increase calorie intake, I just heard about this product Nestles Nutren 2.0  with 500 calories per 8 oz.  You might look into it but it is not a "real food" product:http://www.nutrition.nestle.ca/en/our_products/nutren/nutren_2

SPOHNC -- A great place for information and support for head and neck cancer patients.  They produce a must-have, free resource guide entitled We Have Walked in Your Shoes at http://www.spohnc.org/guide.php

Head and Neck Cancer Online Discussions - Cancer Compass's online forum

Cancer Survivor's Network - American Cancer Society - survivors stories

National Cancer Institute -- Resource for information and publications on different types of cancer, resources available, dealing with side effects, etc. nd with this website, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you.  See also their online publications that you can print or order at https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov//ncipubs/. Or you can call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 

DEALING WITH CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy Agent Information  (chemocare.com) --  information on the various chemotherapy drugs and how they work and important information on managing side effects and a list of common anti-nausea medications.

Nausea --  University of Maryland information on using ginger for nausea.

Send us your suggestions and we'll add them to this page!