Adolescents and Teens using EEN

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We're getting some samples to see what she will tolerate. Yesterday and the afternoon before she began drinking more water with the Ensure and that seems to help. I'll let you know how it goes when we get the samples.
 
Jack gets stomach aches with Ensure. Probably why I was never able to convince him to drink any before. He seems to be doing pretty good with the Peptide. Hope you find something that works and she can tolerate. Love the doctor samples :)
 
We've had Peptide 1.0 and 1.5 (chocolate, strawberry & vanilla), Boost Kid Essentials 1.5 and 1.0 (strawberry and vanilla), Peptem Jr. (vanilla & chocolate), Breeze (by Boost) (Peach, Berry, Orange flavors) and he has tried Ensure (Vanilla & Strawberry, Ensure Clear Peach) and Boost from the store
 
Our hospital recommended Modulen (I believe it only comes in a powder and you mix with water and flavouring).

(Stephen uses Tolerex but it is to be used through NG tube due to it's taste.)
 
You might ask for the Peptide, I think it is for kids up to 13 if I remember right and Jack thinks it tastes better then the Petomen Jr., he also didn't think the Boost Kid Essential tasted too bad. The Boost Kid Essential and Peptide 1.5 was too thick for him, didn't like the texture but it might be worth a try it has more calories.
I'm waiting on the phone with my insurance right now trying to get it covered since he will drink it, they don't want to cover it but if it was an NG tube they would so we are trying to protest, I'm now on 3rd level of higher ups to try and get even a portion covered.
 
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Are they saying they only cover 'unpalatable' formulas? Can you not just say that he will use an NG tube if that the only way it's covered??? :lol: I don't get these insurance companies!!! :ywow:

But, just FYI, our insurance company did not cover the formula... luckily, a regional medical agency does. :)
 
Jmrogers4 said:
You might ask for the Peptide, I think it is for kids up to 13 if I remember right and Jack thinks it tastes better then the Petomen Jr., he also didn't think the Boost Kid Essential tasted too bad. The Boost Kid Essential and Peptide 1.5 was too thick for him, didn't like the texture but it might be worth a try it has more calories.
I'm waiting on the phone with my insurance right now trying to get it covered since he will drink it, they don't want to cover it but if it was an NG tube they would so we are trying to protest, I'm now on 3rd level of higher ups to try and get even a portion covered.
Click to expand...

Tell them you could rent the pump and all the equipment for the NG tube (800+/month) to get the same results, not to mention if home health has to be involved, hospital visits for insertions, etc...
 
I agree which is why I'm making such a stink about it! GEEZ! I'm saving you money, you'd think they would be all over that.
Been on hold for 35 minutes! Good thing I can work while I'm waiting.
 
Carol
Just an FYI
You want peptamen jr or peptide
Not boost since boost has whole proteins
Peptamen and peptide formulas are both peptide based and therefore broken down and easier on the gut.

Jacqui
Was it submitted by a durable medical equipment supplier.?
Also try the more than 50% of his calories being supplied.
Sometimes those things help with approval .
 
Mlp yes last call they were calling dme to get some codes so I'm hopeful we can get something at least I keep fighting since it is not really a choice and he absolutely needs it
 
Good luck with insurance
Some has to fight for years to get it cover even when It was sole nutrition through a tube.

Abbott has a discount program for auto order and a few other things if your buy direct .
Look into this especially if your insurance is only covering a small percentage .
Dme company's triple the cost of formula plus add nutrition therapy fees .

This makes it barely cheaper than buying it direct from abbott .
If they cover a small amount it may not be cheaper but more expensive.
We found this out the hard way.
DS has been on some sort of formula for almost two years now.
 
Just had a call from insurance she said send the claim and she will watch for it. No promises but just for it covered a medical necessity for another client
 
Sounds good
But ask for th cost from the Dme then figure out your %
I know we were shocked by the increased formula price alone.
DS's formula is cover 100%
But prior insurance was only at 90% which was only slightly cheaper than direct but because of how they marked it up.
 
Jae is still getting her recommended amount with Ensure - waiting for the Peptamen Jr samples to be sent from Anchorage. The new thing we've been experiencing is horrific smelling gas. It's unbelievable since all she is getting in is water and Ensure. Is this indicative of anything? Her tummy pains seem to be on the improved side for now - no longer having to lay down after drinking.
 
We are 2 days shy of the start of supplemental EN 2 weeks ago and Jack has gained 7 lbs this is more than he has gained in the last 3 years! The only thing we are finding difficult is fitting in the drinks with the various activities of the day. School doesn't seem to be a problem as he is on more of a schedule and has certain time he fills up his thermos. But on the weekends when we are out running errands and things seem to take longer then they are supposed to we seem to get behind on the drinks. We only managed 7 on Saturday. He did get 8 in yesterday but ended up drinking 3 of them in about an hour - needless to say his stomach did not like that and he had a bit of diarrhea. We are behind again today. He has only had 3 and it is 5 hours till bedtime so 1 an hour which means I have to nag. I think we are all seeing that they are helping, he definitely has some more color in his face and some more energy. He is not bothered by the taste anymore - no more standing of the sink gagging, and rinsing his mouth out after each sip. So yay! for progress
 
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Oh that is great progress for Jack! The schedule thing has been tricky for us too but like you not during school but more on the weekends. If you figure that one out let me know!
 
Same here
Schedule wise but we found adding them to meal time makes it a little easier plus throwing a few in a cooler with a cold pack when we travel really helps .
Just like a diaper bag and babies - never leave home without three shakes and a cooler kwim .

Yippee for the weight gain - glad to see its working
 
Great news that they r all doing so well:)

Amazing weight gain for Jack - WOW!!!

Carole - no idea on the gas??? :(

Re weekend EN... Get a small cooler or insulated lunch bag and throw in 2 or 3 bottles along with a big icepack or a bag filled with ice and take it with you. It'll keep the shakes cool and nearby. I used to do this during soccer tournaments, when moving from field to field to keep water and fruit cool and handy. :)
 
Great idea on the cooler as baseball starts next weekend with assessments, I think I actually have one that plugs into the car, I'll have to send my hubby on a garage search for it. I wonder if I should talk to GI about increasing a drink or 2 since we'll have an increase in activity. I'd hate for him to start loosing again.
 
Just FWIW, when Stephen was on EEN, he was taking in 3000 per day. He only gained about 10 lbs during the six weeks of exclusive EN (gained lots more once food was added in along with the EN supplementation). His activity level at the time was two phys.ed. classes per day (approx. 2+ hours) plus hockey (two teams, games and practices) so on ice 5-7 times per week. I did ask nutritionist re adding in additional formula but they were happy to stay at 3000 cal as long as he didn't start losing weight (however, it came with a mild suggestion to Stephen that he might want to curtail some of the activity - yeah, right! :lol:).
 
Thanks Tesscorm, that is good information. I won't worry unless he starts loosing although I guess he may not gain as quickly but he gets 2000 from his EN and probably varies from 1000-1500 from food daily. Yep understand the activity level I told him No on basketball this year as he was already doing snowboard racing, rehearsals for musical theatre, pe and then add in baseball it would be too much
 
Not to be alarming but my son had TERRIBLE smelling gas during the months prior to diagnosis when he was in a uncontrolled flare. I only mention it because I wish I had known it was a symptom I should be concerned about. The terrible smelling gas went away when he started prednisone and has never come back.

I hope you get the different formula soon. It is so frustrating to wait for the logistics when a change in treatment is needed.
 
Thanks everyone. She has a weigh in tomorrow, and fortunately, except for the gas, is doing well right now. One thing I found helpful was to get her a tall, clear cup with a straw that is her favorite color (blue) with a picture that she likes. It is more appealing to drink out of her favorite cup, she can't smell the stuff (and neither can I!), it can hold two cans at a time, and I can see how fast it is disappearing... I'm not sure whether we'll go to the Peptomen Junior tomorrow or not...
 
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