new tube for next week

Over the weekend, I visited an online support group for parents with kids on feeding tubes.  I asked about out problem.  Several people replied that the valves on Mic-Key buttons always "blow."  That it often happens weeks after a new button is placed.   They end up having to leave the extension tubes in to keep the port from leaking.

I finally talked to the GI doc yesterday.  He said he's never heard of this happening before.  He seemed very surprised.  We have a new tube placement scheduled for next week and the decision then became what kind of tube to place - the mic-key or the older version.  I told him about another brand of button that I have heard about, the AMT G-jet.  Even though our hospital doesn't carry this, he said he is completely open to checking it out and ordering it if it's something we really want to try.  This would be for a future placement, of course.  I'm going to forward the info to his office so they can check it out.

In the meantime, we decided to try the mic-key one more time.  The decision was made when the doctor asked me, "If the mic-key was working properly, would you prefer it?"  I said, "Yes."  So, we'll try it one more time.  When they take the old one out, I'm going to ask to keep it.  I want to cut off the tabs that will close the ports in case the new one starts to leak.  Then I can cap the g port while the j is in use.  Also, Jim wants to send in the defective button to the company that makes it.  I've already called them to complain.  The woman I talked to was super receptive and said that they take these things very seriously.  So, maybe one day they will redesign the plugs.

Anyhow, if this new mic-key blows (it's valves), then we will never use one again.  We'll try the g-jet or go back to the old design.

Oh, and I asked the doc about the every 3 month replacement of the gj.  He said he totally disagrees.  He also said it's only some of the docs in radiology that say that.  He said he doesn't want his patients exposed to the radiation and sedation that often.  Yes, the tubes get grody, but 3 months is just too soon.  I think I'll split the difference.  :)