Enteral therapy and mucus

[Tesscorm]

Hi everyone,

My son has been on a liquid nutrition diet for about 4 weeks now (through an NG tube), up until a few days ago, he was having yellow/beige liquid BMs about 3-4 times per day (which is to be expected on this diet, up to 6-8 times per day is 'normal'). However, two days ago, he told me that he's being going a bit more often then usual (5-7 times per day) and, even after he had his BM, still felt like there was something 'more' that hadn't come out. Sometimes, he'd feel like he had to 'go', but nothing came out. Anyway, two days ago, he pushed a bit harder when he had this feeling and he discharged some white/beige mucus (not a lot) with specks of blood in the mucus. But, he has no other symptoms - no pain, nausea, tiredness (actually tons of energy), steadily gaining weight, etc.

Emailed the nurse and she said that the bowels heal 'top to bottom' and that this probably indicates that the bottom of the bowel hasn't completely healed yet. But, if this is the case, why would it start now, why hasn't the mucus been present the entire time?

Yesterday, my son told me there was more mucus but no blood.

Has this happened to anyone while on enteral diet? Could it mean that the enteral diet isn't working for him?

Thanks for reading this looong 'question' and all your help (have learned so much from everyone on this site)!

T

 

[AZMOM]

T - I'm sure others will weigh in. My daughter isn't doing EN but we do see plenty of mucus whenever there's inflammation. I would just keep tracking and telling the doc if things change.

J.

 

[Dexky]

Hey T, my son used to have the mucous occasionally too. He's never been on enteral nutrition before though. I agree with Julie, just keep an eye on it and don't let it get out of hand.

 

[ben's rn]

Hi -- I am brand new to this forum, so happy to have found it! My 8 yr old was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in July of 2009...he has been on Enteral nutrition therapy for about a year and a half. He did this thru an NG tube for about 8 months before he had a PEG tube inserted surgically last Dec. We have had to try different formulas and Pediasure is best tolerated by him. Current formula is pediasure 1.5 cals with fiber. His body could not tolerate peptamen..he vomited that up.
Be patient and try a different formula/amount....this is a superior treatment that keeps my son in remission from Crohn's and off steroids and other meds.

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks Beth! Saw your other post! Welcome to the forum!

 

[AZMOM]

Hi Ben's M - I think I might see your posts on FB. Are you that Ben's mom?

Julie

 

[ben's rn]

Yes I am on FB - Pediatric Crohn's Parents! Sorry ! Just saw this!!

 

[ben's rn]

Do not use Abbot Labs products for EN or supplements (Pediasure EN, Pediasure, Vital, etc)
They contain CARRAGEENAN, a known GI inflammatory. It is what they give lab rats to INDUCE CD and colitis!!!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2800179/pdf/pone.0008666.pdf

 

[Twiggy930]

It is degraded carrageenan that induces colitis in rats. To produce the degraded carrageenan it must be treated with a strong acid at 60 - 80 degrees Celsius. This is NOT the same as the environment that is in the human stomach. I am not saying that carrageenan shouldn't be looked into further but the study posted above certainly does not conclude that carrageenan is dangerous.