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Posted 1/22/2008 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
My husband started TPN last Tuesday and in two days he has been feeling better. Finally got appointment this Friday at the University of Washington. But just having all that nutrition and not eating is doing him good. I wish they had started that TPN a month ago. So if you are very sick and not getting the right nutrition you can't fight this disease without have this. Well take care. Dancerpeg
Posted 1/22/2008 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Why did your husband have TPN? For what disease? I am interested in knowing. I might need that myself.

Post Edited (Dutches) : 1/22/2008 5:21:25 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/22/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
What is TPN?
Posted 1/22/2008 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I had this a couple of times. I'm not exactly sure whats in it, but like Dancer said, it's basically nutrition to help you out while your sick. I'm not sure if there are other ways to get it, but they put in a Picc line in my arm and gave it to me through that. They told me it would help me get the nutrition i'd need until the surgery since they weren't letting me eat.
As my kids would say....." dad has a bag of milk attached to him', because it looks like....well, milk.
Posted 1/22/2008 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition and it's a mix made up for you depending on what you need that provides calories, protein, sodium, fat, vitamins, etc. so that people who can't eat for whatever reason can still get nutrients. i've been on it for a while now and have to continue it at least until march when i have my baby. every time they've taken me off, i get low in potassium, dehydrated then that makes me nauseas and i can't eat, then i have to get readmitted to the hospital. so the docs decided to keep me on it at home. my husband hooks it up through my picc line each night before bed and unhooks me each morning. i'm able to eat now but need to gain quite a bit of weight because i lost so much with my uc/surgery. it's definately helped. i've gained about 20 much needed pounds in a little over 2 months! i agree that TPN can be a God-send for a lot of people.
Posted 1/22/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has Crohn's Disease and it cause a lot of problems inside of him. He has 2 fistulas that tunneled through his back muscle and through the skin in the lower back. He also has a back infection so we can't have remicade until this is cleared up. He's on clear liquids to rest his bowels to hoping to fix the fistulas. He's had Crohn's for the past 28 years and has a ileostomy for the past 14 years.
Dancerpeg
Posted 1/22/2008 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad ur husband is doing better peg!
Posted 1/24/2008 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well we are going to finally see a surgeon on Friday. We have our list of question about what they have plan for him and to make him better. I hope they do surgery quickly so he can get back on the road to recovery. We are also dealing with our insurance going bye bye at the end of March. His job is great and they are holding his position and they will put him back to work after he's done. Well thanks for all the listen and advice and the friendship I've made and know that I'm not alone out there with this disease. I've learned alot about this disease through reading everyone medical history and what you all been through. Again Thanks Dancerpeg
Posted 1/24/2008 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Please keep us updated on your husband's progress -- I will be thinking of both you and him on Friday (tomorrow, right?). 

Posted 1/26/2008 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,
Well we went to the University of Washington to see the surgeon today and the surgeon gave us a plan. He does have to have surgery to remove some of his small bowel and replace his ileostomy again. She doen't don't know how much she will have to remove and they will put a large opening on his back and put another drain tube so that the infection will leave his body. This will happen with in two to three weeks. We see her in two to set the surgery up with her. She is also getting another GI involved and Infectious Disease Doctor so they are all on the same page. They want him to be on TPN for another 2 weeks to get his strength up to fight everything after surgery. He will probably has short bowel syndrome and may have to stay on the TPN for nutrition after surgery. Well I will talk later. Dancerpeg
Posted 1/27/2008 3:22 AM (GMT 0)

Dancerpeg:

Sounds like good progress. I had TPN for a long time and it literally saved my life. Keep us posted on your husband's progress. We hope for your continued success.

Richard

Posted 1/30/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Dancerpeg, I had four surgeries from June 21 - October 9. Unfortunately, I too have a fistual (rectovaginal) that did not heal. When I saw the doctor in December he told me to wait another 3 months and he woudl check it again. He said it may heal on its own. I've been doing everything I can to help it along. One thing I can highly recommend is a Wound Nutrition Drink called Resource Brand Arginaide. It is made by Novartis. Google their website there are tons of various drinks for all situations. Arginaide has 4.5 grams of Arginine which is a type of protein that helps the body heal.

I was on TPN between June 27 - July 5. It helped me through a difficult time when I couldn't eat. They had me on 1600 calories so I didn't lose weight. Bummer for me... I could lose a few pounds! : )

Good luck to you and your husband.
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