PEG for feeding. Anyone have experience with this?

I refused to have a PEG placed when my sister had a major seizure likely related to her Alzheimer's Disease. My Mom had a PEG placed after she had a stroke (my other sister insisted on it). I was against it because there has been quite a bit of medical research showing that PEGS rarely improve morbidity/mortality rates. PEGs tend to get infected, especially if the patient becomes agitated and pulls at it. My view is that PEGs work best when the patient suffers a temporary condition that precludes them from swallowing safely. When the patient is severely compromised and their trajectory is "dim", a PEG artificially prolongs their life. And, it tends to be much easier to put in a PEG than to discontinue the PEG - whether from an emotional or religious standpoint. Gastric tubes also work well for short-term feeding needs.

Carevdad: Perchance your father made known his end of life wishes including PEG tube.

My mother,88, is a two time stroke victim, dysphasia hit 2years post stroke, mealtimes became exceedingly difficult, taking 1 1/2 hrs each meal on average. Her mentation declined, we ( my 91yr old father and I) made the decision to have a PeG tube placed. It has allowed us to help her mentation increase, because without good nutrition no improvement will happen! Do not wait, your father will only weaken!
I will say, there are problems that we are still dealing with though, the number one problem is aspiration pneumonia! We have stopped all oral intake except small dropperfuls of water occasionally, but she still has a terrible time with swallowing saliva.. The average person swallows once a minute, and we have to encourage her to swallow 5x every 1/2 hour at least! The swallowing is difficult for her, but with ALOT of encouragement from us , it happens.
She can now stand (with assistance) and talk, although volume is still a problem. My father now has his partner back, it is intermittent, because she has vascular dementia also, but without the Peg tube they wouldn’t have celebrated their 65years of marriage in June!
Is it the whole answer, no, but the PEG tube allowed there to be a possibility of improvement, and for my Mom, thank God, there has been improvement.
Good luck to you and your dad with whatever choice you make, everything about this ageing thing is SOOO hard, all we can do is try! Hugs, Graceland!!

Addtionally we have not had any infection problems yet, she has had the Peg for 1yr and 5 months. I clean the stoma daily and new dressing around stoma/tube daily. We just had a new tube placed as the old one began to break down… very easy procedure, no anesthesia, dr just pulled original out and put new one in stoma.

Yes! I am a nurse and you are providing the only way for your father to get fluids and nutrition in his current circumstances. The procedure is simple. If/When he rouses and eats on his own, it can be removed and the area will heal over.

I think you made a good decision.
Nasal-gastric tubes (tube from the nose to the stomach) are usually inserted by a nurse for the purpose of feeding liquid diet and fluids. It requires no incision but may be irritating to the throat and, even if secured by tape, can be pulled out by a less-than-aware or uncomfortable patient. It will probably then be re-inserted. But each re-insertion heightens the possibility of the tube being even more irritating, not well positioned and causing possible respiratory problems.

The PEG tube is inserted by a doctor thorough the abdominal wall and secured by a stitch or two. It is appropriate for longer term use than the NG tube. A quick minor surgery, usually no general anesthesia is required. Once in place, it's not especially uncomfortable for the patient and not easily dislodged ( making it safer than a nasal gastric tube)
I do not think it's "too early", especially if your father is inclined towards seizures.

Also a PEG can be kept in place as the patient recovers. It can be clamped and hidden in the clothing so that it isn't visible even if he is up and about. As a nurse, I once had a elderly patient (not a stroke patient) who loved to dance. On his 100th birthday he danced with his somewhat younger wife (PEG hidden in his underwear) while amazed TV reporters looked on. (He didn't get to eat birthday cake, though)

Understanding Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
https://www.asge.org › for-patients › patient-information

PEG stands for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a procedure in which a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach.
‎What Is A Peg? · ‎How Is The Peg Performed? · ‎How Should I Care For The...

Yes. This is an easy way to give nourishment and medication. My husband also had a peg. Has had it since last spring. He has healed enough now to be able to eat,

if you can get a food pump, that will give you alot of relief. And he can sleep while it’s running, but he must be sitting up at least 35%. A good lounge chair or bed that raises & lowers fixes that problem.

you may need to give his drugs thru the tube, so you will need a pestle & mortar which works the best I have found. Add a small amount of water do you can use a large surynge to put in the tube. Remember on the tube, always turn the wheel or you will end up cleaning up a mess!

Some things to consider. You don’t mention your dad’s age, but will the PEG tube improve the quality of his life? If he’s lost consciousness will he regain it? Will it be keeping him artificially alive? Would he want this? Does he have advanced directives? Doctors and families are typically in a keep-the-patient-alive-at-all-costs way of thinking, rather than thinking about their LO’s well-being. Look at the big picture. It’s a very difficult decision.