TPN - What's your experience?

[CarolinAlaska]

They are going to start J on TPN through her IV. What should we expect?

 

[crohnsinct]

It isn't that dramatic really. Just the placement of the picc line and then dripping the "food". They do watch the kids very closely as there could be complications but they watch them and pull bloods often and you are in the best place to be. Plus I think the scary complication happen more on long term TPN then say a week. Have they told you how long she will be on it? O was on it for about two weeks and no complications.

 

[kimmidwife]

Good luck with it! She will get more energy and start feeling better hopefully!

 

[CarolinAlaska]

They aren't doing a picc line, just her IV.

 

[Maya142]

They told us the TPN is hard on the veins so they tend to use a PICC line for it. If it's very short term, then I would guess using a regular IV might work.

 

[kimmidwife]

They told us the same thing. Even when Caitlyn had it for short term they did a PICC line. I would ask again about it.

 

[malorymug]

Hi, my mother is on TPN right now, for a non-GI related matter and it isn't so bad. They may check J's blood sugar just to make sure her body is handling the dextrose in the solution okay. And it is a pain to be hooked up to the IV 24 hours a day, but the flip side is, she is getting nutrition and feeling stronger. The hospital sent my mom home with TPN, a home health nurse is coming to the house every day to teach my mom and dad how to safely change the bag once a day. I agree with everyone else, we have been told it needs to go through a PICC or central line.

I hope the TPN helps J a lot.

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Hers started last night. It is a more diluted solution for peripheral lines. That so, I think it still burns. They gave her an ice pack for that arm.

 

[malorymug]

Oww. Sorry about the burn. Can they dilute more or slow the rate down? I hope this nutrition helps her feel better fast.

 

[kimmidwife]

Carolin,
That stinks. How long are they expecting to keep it in for? Why won't they consider a PICC line?

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Her arm isn't burning today, although she is getting the TPN over 24 hours. I really don't know the plan with the TPN, but I think it is just to bridge her over until her meds kick in and she can do oral feedings more effectively.

 

[Sascot]

Hope it goes well and helps. Glad the burning settled

 

[Maya142]

Poor kiddo - hope she feels better SOON! Glad she's getting some calories at least.

 

[ronroush7]

Hi, my mother is on TPN right now, for a non-GI related matter and it isn't so bad. They may check J's blood sugar just to make sure her body is handling the dextrose in the solution okay. And it is a pain to be hooked up to the IV 24 hours a day, but the flip side is, she is getting nutrition and feeling stronger. The hospital sent my mom home with TPN, a home health nurse is coming to the house every day to teach my mom and dad how to safely change the bag once a day. I agree with everyone else, we have been told it needs to go through a PICC or central line.

I hope the TPN helps J a lot.

I had a PICC line.

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