Doctors and pharmacists
Gastroenterologist
The doctor who places a feeding tube, and the person to ask what the procedure itself will involve.
Deciding whether to have a feeding tube is a conversation with your neurologist, dietitian and speech pathologist. Placing it is a procedure, and who does it depends on your hospital. Often a gastroenterologist. For a radiologically inserted tube, an interventional radiologist. In many services, including much of the South African public sector, a surgical team. Ask which it is where you are.
How you reach this person, and who pays, depends on where you live. Set your country in Location and Compass will show what applies there.
What they can help with
- What the procedure involves, and which type of tube suits your situation
- Whether breathing support is needed during placement, which is a real consideration in ALS/MND
- Sedation, and what to expect on the day
- Problems afterwards, including blockage, leakage and site infection
- Changing or removing a tube later
When you might meet them
- Once a feeding tube is being seriously considered, and before breathing makes the procedure riskier
- If a tube blocks, leaks or the site becomes sore
- When a tube is due to be changed
Things you could ask about
- Which type of tube are you recommending for me, and why that one?
- Will my breathing affect how this is done, and who decides that?
- What is the recovery actually like?
- Who do I call if something goes wrong with it at home?
Not to be confused with
Not the person who decides whether you should have a tube. That decision sits with you, supported by your MND team, your dietitian and your speech pathologist.