#kilmameri

And I oop

Feeding tubes are by and large safe to use for those who need them, but there are complications that can occur that need to be considered before making that decision. A quick google search brings up a list which follows:

Complications Associated with Feeding Tube

Constipation.

Dehydration.

Diarrhea.

Skin Issues (around the site of your tube)

Unintentional tears in your intestines (perforation)

Infection in your abdomen (peritonitis)

Problems with the feeding tube such as blockages (obstruction) and involuntary movement (displacement)

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/f/feeding-tube/complications.html

While tears in the intestine and infections of the abdomen are rare, they can and do happen, so to suggest a feeding tube as an “easy” alternative to eating, or to even suggest it as a valid alternative to eating animal produce (which it’s not, most feeding tube formulas are dairy-based) is outright ignorant of how feeding tubes work and when they should be used.

There was actually another chronic illness blogger a while ago who died from complications caused by a tear in her intestines which was caused by her feeding tube. It was incredibly sad, and also caused a lot of controversy cause there were some folk who felt she shouldn’t have been using one in the first place, but that’s a whole other catastrophe of discourse I’m not about to reawaken.

As for IV nutrients, I have done that when I have been at my absolute worst, but long term infusion therapy is also considered to be a “we’ve tried everything and this is the only thing that works” sort of solution. The short term is fine, but long term it becomes expensive af and not everyone’s insurance would cover that kind of thing.

For me personally, it would also hinder our end goal hope, which is the ability to retrain my body back into being able to eat foods and enable me to lead as healthy and independent a life as possible, without always being at the hospital to get treatment for something that is theoretically manageable without that level of care. (It is also important to note that IV infusion does not decrease my chances of anaphylaxis. If anything we avoid it because we have no idea how my body will react to high-level concentrations of certain things. They didn’t even want to give me b12 injections back in May in case of possible complications.)

There are some people who need that level of care due to the intricacies of their conditions, but I am not one of them. I’m currently able to get buy with copious amounts of prescription oral supplements and using a straw to drink fluids to get around my dystonia (uncontrollable spasms of the throat muscles), which is awesome. I never thought I’d be able to be this healthy ever again! Which I’m sure to some people doesn’t sound Healthy™ at all, but as I said in my original post, health is subjective and I’m thankful for what I’ve got!

Hi Lovely!

Ohhhhhhhhhhh this sounds like an interesting premise, and I have NO idea, but I would love to read this!!

awww lol thank u 

@kilmameri As you wish!