|
|
||
|
|
9. Around 1 am (I am a night owl..lol) I have to take my medication. Because I throw everything up and don't absorb things very well, I have to take all of my medicine through my j-tube. I turn off the pump and disconnect myself from the tubing. 10. I have to flush out my j-tube again and get the formula out so my medicine will go down the tube easily. I have a pill crusher for my heart medication and any other pills. Most of my meds are liquids though. I pour all of my medication into a clear plastic cup and add water. 11. I take a syringe and slowly push the medication through the tube. This often makes me very sick for about half hour to an hour afterwards. 12. I always have to add extra potassium since I have so much trouble with hypokalemia. I have liquid potassium, so I measure out three tablespoons (50 mEq) of potassium chloride and pour it into my bag. At this time I also add at least three more cans of Ultracal to get me through the night. 13. I take the bag and shake so that the potassium and Ultracal mix well so I make sure I get all of it. Adding potassium to my tube formula helps decrease potassium related nausea. Potassium is hard on the GI tract, so taking it with food is highly recommended, not that I consider Ultracal food. 14. I hook up again and hit start. I can carry this portable bag everywhere with me, and can leave the house if I need to. I get approximately 1500 calories per day through my feeding tube, and eat during the day when I feel up to it.
|
|
