Re: Putting a plug in PEG tubes

[Guest guest]

Has anyone had this done? It is possible Bob may have his PEG tube removed - is improving from heart attack, but so compromised because of MSA - balance, speech, eyes tracking. I'm leary of having the tube removed as he may need it in the future. (he graduated, after a swallow test today, from no liquids by mouth to nectar-thick liquids) The radiologist thought she had heard of a "plug" - any information, and QUICKLY, would be so much appreciated. He comes home from Rehab in one week, and we have so much to do (more grab bars, remodeling room, etc., etc).

Another question - will insurance pay for an adjustable bed (or part of it), as I thought I'd read that they will pay for a hospital bed. He needs to be elevated because of aspiration problems. I need to be able to sleep next to him, and the dual adjustable beds are so expensive. Think we may go for two singles which fit together - one adjustable, one not, about $1200. Suggestions?

Thank you,

Elaine Grimmesey

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

If it is a true PEG (put in endoscopically) with a solid stop inside

the stomach to hold it in, it can be removed surgically in about 20 minutes

and will then heal up on it's own. However, the scar tissue will

prevent another PEG in the same spot in the future. Is there a problem

with leaving it in and not using it? You may find that you need to

supplement thick liquids with 30-40 ounces of thin liquids per day to get

enough liquid in him. In times of infection it would be invaluable

as he may not be able to swallow anything for days.

Talk to the doctor who put it in and ask for options, as there are better

tubes, Charlotte's last tube had an opening with a plug right at the skin.

You could open it with a small tab and snap an extension into it for feeding

or putting in meds. I don't remember the name, but I think it was

"micro" something.

The bed has to be approved by Medicare or your insurance company and

most of the retail beds are not up to hospital standards. If you

are under Medicare, you must use one from a hospital supply outlet, then

they will pay 80% and your supplemental (if you have it) will generally

pay the rest. A hospital bed can be lowered to the height of a standard

twin bed and placed next to it.

Take care, Bill Werre

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BandEGrimmesey@... wrote:

Has

anyone had this done? It is possible Bob may have his PEG tube removed

- is improving from heart attack, but so compromised because of MSA - balance,

speech, eyes tracking. I'm leary of having the tube removed as he

may need it in the future. (he graduated, after a swallow test today,

from no liquids by mouth to nectar-thick liquids) The radiologist thought

she had heard of a "plug" - any information, and QUICKLY, would be so much

appreciated. He comes home from Rehab in one week, and we have so

much to do (more grab bars, remodeling room, etc., etc).

Another question - will insurance

pay for an adjustable bed (or part of it), as I thought I'd read that they

will pay for a hospital bed. He needs to be elevated because of aspiration

problems. I need to be able to sleep next to him, and the dual

adjustable beds are so expensive. Think we may go for two singles

which fit together - one adjustable, one not, about $1200. Suggestions?

Thank you,

Elaine Grimmesey