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Margaret, Margaret Tuchman wrote: > I am corresponding with Lou, a PWP who has a "lack of motility" problem and > receives his food through a tube, "something like an IV", to which he is > connected the better part of a day. It would be good to know exactly what food he is taking through the tube. There are a number of possible reasons for his weakness, numbness, and leg aches; however, the type of food he is ingesting could be part of the problem, if it is not balanced. Lack of zinc, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium could cause part of these difficulties > Prior to his receiving his food through the tube, he had > lost a significan amount of weight. He has now regained weight, and is even > eating some food via mouth, to keep his interest and taste alive. It sounds like he's doing very well with regard to calorie intake, and he deserves congratulations. I encourage clients who are otherwise healthy but having difficulty with chewing/swallowing or eating too slowly to finish meals on time, to consider PEG placement. It is convenient, and can help individuals stay in good health as opposed to becoming malnourished, losing muscle, becoming dehydrated. This so often leads to intractable urinary tract infections, falls, bone fractures, followed by hospitalizations and general decline in health. A PEG can solve many problems for people who want to remain active and healthy, like Lou. I hope you'll congratulate him for me on his proactive use of tube feeding to maintain health. If he is not already doing so, he might consider using Hearty Balance products several times a day. They contain some fiber. He could also check with his doctor or dietitian about use of Unifiber -- it's a powdered fiber supplement somewhat like Metamucil, that doesn't clog tubes, and is used in hospitals for that purpose. If his doctor hasn't heard of it, s/he can get information from the company: 800-677-0355. My very best regards to Lou, Kathrynne -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD "Nutrition you can live with!" Medical nutrition therapy http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ Tel: 970-493-6532 // Fax: 970-493-6538