I have severe gastroparesis (my stomach is paralyzed and cannot digest food) and have been told by my doctor that we need to discuss getting a feeding tube placed.
Do any of you have a feeding tube and if so, which kind do you have and are you able to continue to ride and show without issue? If you have issues, can you describe them to me please?
Thank you!
You may want to cross post on the disabilities board http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?102-Equestrians-with-Disabilities
And check the “similar threads” listed at the bottom of this page. That is often more useful than trying to do a search. 
I have never had my own tube, however I am a clinical Dietitian who deals with them often at my hospital job!
Absolutely you will be able to ride with one, when disconnected they are very minimal under clothing.
As far as what type, that will be a discussion with the GI doctor putting it in.
A PEG is very ‘‘sturdy’’, difficult to dislodge, however endpoint in stomach. For Gastroparesis, often a more distal endpoint is needed (past the stomach).
A GJ tube is likely what we would order here, equally minimal under clothing, just a bit less “sturdy”–I have seen a few pulled out, sometimes accidental, sometimes not
Talk to your Doctor/Team (+Dietitian!) about your concerns. In the end, adequate nutrition is likely to have a positive impact on your riding!
if you need a GJ tube, an interventional radiologist might be your best option. it is a pretty straightforward nonsurgical procedure, usually done with moderate sedation rather than general anesthesia. You may want to check into having a “low profile” or “button” type tube placed…the “external” portion of the tube is shorter and less obtrusive. here is one company who makes low profile GJ tubes:
http://www.mic-key.com/products/mic_key_low_profile_transgastric_jejunal_feeding_tube.aspx
Just make sure whoever places your tube is aware that you want to ride and that you are active. I can’t see why the tube would cause a problem with riding, as long as you are careful with it and maintain it properly. What area are you from, if i may ask?
Thanks for the replies. I didn’t even know there was a disabilities page!
I figured a GJ would be what we choose as I’ll need to be able to vent as well and we would need to bypass the stomach completely.
I’m in Illinois, not far from Chicago. I have a very complex medical condition that is managed by a team at Northwestern. My GI doc is a specialist in motility disorders. We had been doing Botox injections and they were helping but after a 6 day hospital stay ending with a Botox injection 3 weeks ago, I am not having much relief. We have exhausted all of the medication options. I am a bit overweight so I’m not in a hurry for the tubes but I’ve lost 19 pounds in less than a month so I think my doctor is concerned.
It would be great to hear from someone who rides with the tube. I’ll see if I can cross post this. Thanks again!
We see them all the time in therapeutic riding - no big deal, but I realize the demands of doing dressage (or hunters or eventing or most high action horse sports) are different than hippotherapy. We occasionally have a parent or caregiver who tries to give a feeding too close to riding time and the rider is uncomfortable with a full stomach - would that be any different from a family that runs through the drivethrough on their way to the barn? I don’t know. I do know that you shouldn’t it stop you from riding!
I have a big moving warmblood who is schooling 3rd level so everything is done sitting. Just wonder about how well the tubes stay in place as I’ve heard horror stories about tubes going back up into the stomach, flipping if you will, on a person who isn’t very physically active.
I just want to make sure before I agree to getting a tube that there are others out there who are competitive who ride with a feeding tube. I’m not sure that my doctor will know or understand how demanding the sport of dressage can be on the body.
I had someone tell me once that sitting trot is like off roading while doing gymnastics. Maybe you could tell the doctor you enjoy off roading in a vehicle with no shocks, and doing gymnastics :lol:
LOL! Not a bad idea! Maybe he would better understand!
Consult with a wound ostomy certified nurse (WOCN).
She or he will be the one to really help your surgeon figure out the best exit location for you within the restrictions of the surgery. Also get advice from her regarding activity. Once the surgeon places it, it’s sort of in your and the WOCN’s hands.
And if it is displaced, not the end of the world :).
But really, talk to a WOCN with a lot of ostomy experience before you do anything. She can talk to the surgeon and guide and help mark. It makes a huge difference.
Here is a link to the Chicago WOCN page. There are a few listed who are affiliated with Northwestern.
http://www.uoachicago.org/area-wocns/
Connie Kelly, Mary Kirby 312-926-6421
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Karen Blum 312-695-6868
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Digestive Health Clinic
Good luck!
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