Re: Feeding tube for PD

["Byron, Sara" <sbyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Don't take this as a "flare", but could you be suggesting that instead of a
tube - we watch our loved one starve to death?  I will admit that the
quality of life in a late stage parkinsonian patient can be poor, but
hearing my dad's reminiscences - and watching him play with my children (
who have been born since the tube was inserted)  would convince me to vote
for the tube.

>>
>> In several letters to the list lately I've seen reference to a
>> gastronomy, or feeding tube.  Could anyone tell me what is involved with
>> using one?  How is it put in?  Is it permanent, or inserted at each
>> meal?  How much expertise is needed to feed a patient using one?  Can the
>> patient eat in any other way once a tube is used?  My mother does more
>> choking than swallowing, and is losing weight.  It takes her so long to
>> even eat a little, that she is quickly too tired to finish taking in the
>> amount she needs.  She tries to eat often,  but we should know about what
>> may be yet to come.  Thanks.
>
>Dear Carl,
>
>        The question of whether or not to insert a feeding tube directly
>into the stomach is a difficult one.  The procedure itself is simple, and
>adequate nutrition can easily be provided with a minimum of instruction
>to the care giver.  One must examine whether quality of life is at all
>improved, however.
>
>        The individual who has difficulty swallowing to the point that a
>PEG tube must be inserted will probably not be able to take oral
>nourishment to any degree.  That means that all nutrition will be
>provided through the tube.  Aspiration pneumonia (which happens when one
>can no longer swallow) continue to occur to some extent because the
>person still must swallow saliva.
>
>        My question would be, does your mother want this procedure to be
done?
>------
>Mary Ann Ryan RN
>