Should I get a button feeding tube?
Ok, so this will be a bit long, but if you have a "button" feeding tube please read and chime in, I really need the advice.
So I just got a PEG tube installed back in the spring of this year (2024). I was sadly not given any information prior to my procedure, and very little after, about anything that was going to happen to me. I was certainly not told that there were different types of feeding tubes or given a choice between them. I knew I needed a feeding tube (I was desperate I had been suffering for so long), I knew I was going to have something placed in my body and that it would be hanging out of my body.
I only found out exactly what it would be like, AFTER it had happened. My doctor left over a foot of tubing hanging out of me and very little instructions on how to care for it. The mental toll it took on me was terrible. I had mental breakdowns nearly every night for a week straight, they were so bad I could feel my sanity threatening to break. At a point I figured out that if the tube were shorter it could help some with the mental and physical problems. As I have a fainting disorder and sometimes have to be carried (while completely limp), and the danger of me pulling on the cord was great, and can't tape the tube to myself because I'm allergic to adhesives. (I tried a "belt" but it caused massive discomfort)
Through my own research I found out about a "button". I made a list of all the reasons why getting that instead of the massive tube would help me, not least of all being my sanity.
However, when I asked my doctor he gave me three reasons why he didn't want to do it.
1: they're expensive
2: they're hard to get a hold of
3: because of my size (110lbs) he claimed that even a pound change in my weight would cause the button to be too loose and fall out or too tight.
So I caved to what he said and settled for getting the tube shortened significantly. But there is still a good 6" of tube hanging out of my body.
Months after, I'm still seeing the problems with the tube. It's more to clean and maintain. The threat of tugging on it is still present, though reduced, due to handling small children daily and again my fainting disorder, and just plain sleeping. And it significantly impacts my self confidence. Though most people don't notice, I still have to see it everyday, I still have to adjust it everytime I get changed or use the restroom and do my best to tuck it away in my pants. I'm doing much better mentally than I was but I got a temporary heart monitor for a few days and all the panic and problems from before immediately flooded back, I felt more machine than woman.
All of this to ask, is the "button" worth it? I understand that everything will have it's pros and cons, but are the "buttons" more trouble than they're worth? Or do the benefits outweighs the problems? Given my situation, does it sound like it would be better? I really hope I can get it, mainly for my self confidence, but I want to do my research before demanding it of my doctor or finding another doctor that will do it. Thank you so much for your help!