Thank you Lorraine @EmeraldEyes for engaging with me on this, I don’t believe the feed has any microbes it’s sterile, but I do agree the air could be coming from the tube itself and from when I’m 'flushed with water and medication.
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Exactly @ManjiB,so there should be no bacteria or even fungi in my digestive tract because I don’t consume anything to put them there and the PEG feed is sterile. I’m afraid as a scientist I don’t believe that the air comes from microbes that were in my gut before the stroke, because they have long died of starvation due to nil-by-mouth. But you make a very good point. In theory I should be at the peak of health receiving all the correct nutrients, so why oh why don’t I feel a million dollars?
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But you’re only getting one of the two main components for the peak of health, a healthy natural diet and plenty of exercise, are you.
Yes, you are receiving all the right nutrients to sustain you, just not necessarily in the right order the body would process them in. After all, certain digestive process that draw out these nutrients from the breakdown of food, have been eliminated/bypassed, absorbing the nutrients at different rates than they would normally have done. My daughter did explain it all to me once in relation to the pros and cons of taking supplements, but my retelling of it just doesn’t do it justice, so I won’t be surprised if you don’t understand what I’m trying to say 
'tis the nature of my aphasia, plus, I’m no scientist 
Lorraine
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Loraine @EmeraldEyes give yourself some credit. I understand perfectly the body needs certain nutrients at certain points, for example body builders need a lot of protein. It is said that the swimmer Michael Phelps ate 10 fried eggs for breakfast everyday! i believe even though it’s in my feed I don’t get enough omegas causing me depression but I can’t get a dietitian or doctor to supplement my omega intake.
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And it’s not like you can’t get it in liquid form either, so easy to administer via the PEG I would have thought 
Lorraine
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So happy to hear about your progress. Thanks for sharing.
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@ManjiB @Mrs5K and @emeraldeyes,I’m very excited to report I had visitors who brought me a punnet of strawberries and when no-one was looking. I ate one but found it difficult to chew properly, sadly they are now in the bin as a carer put them oon my chest of drawers rather than in the fridge.
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That must have felt good. Be careful not yo choke on anything but that’s a great sign that you might be able to get back to normal eating at some point.
I love strawberries. I’d have been miffed if mjne had been thrown away.
Happy for you x
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That’s nice - it will soon fall into place and you will enjoy more of the things you loved. We were told that pineapple is also good for someone trying to get back to eating having been nil-by-mouth. You start by touching the slice of pineapple to your lips and then lick it to start to get the taste sensations etc.
With you still working to build up your jaw muscles, you should remember to not get carried away and ending up choking on a piece of fruit that has not been properly chewed.
Take care and enjoy your new found sensation 
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Thank you @Mrs5K yes it was ethereal as a pre-stroke foodie I’ve been longing to eat. Fortunately my cough reflex is good as long as I’m upright, but yes I heed your warning. Mich❤️
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Well done for trying 
I second @Mrs5K concerns on risk of choking. But there are chewable implements, for want of a better word, some are pendants or clip on to clothing, which you can chew on to strengthen your chew-ability.
There’s also the likes of Tuff Gum, but I suspect there’s more of a risk of choking for you if you accidentally swallowed it.
Lorraine
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Yrs @emeraldEyes I CHEW SILICON BLOCKS THAT MY DAUGHTER’s bought me to strengthen my jaw.
Best wishes Mich
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Good on her, so keep chewing, you’re getting there
Lorraine
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My understanding of PEG feeding is you’re fed into your stomach but digestion after that remains the same. We have bacteria in our gut called the microbiome which help to digest food, depending on what we are eating different (good/bad) bacteria can thrive at different times depending on what we feed them (sugar, fibre, meat, whatever is in your PEG)….. these bacteria can produce gases resulting in bloating and or wind.
Hope this helps!
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Yes @Deexxx digestion in the stomach and small intestine carries on as normal when we are PEG.yes we have gut flora or microbiome but the PEGFeed is sterile so no new microbes are introduced and the microbes die because they aren’t being fed or replaced by eating.in theory I should be at the peak of health with no microbes being introduced from eating ant the microbes having died.
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Eating is such an inherently personal experience that we’ve used for centuries for celebrations, tribal and family gatherings. for those of you, who like me are PEG ‘fed’tthere is light at the end of thetunnel. I’m almost on a normal diet: porridge, mash potato and grilled fish, baked potato and beans, yoghurt, the joy of eating and being normal and notfeeling like a device that needs charging or a car that needs fuel have returned, i’m elated.
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Hi Michelle - I am truly delighted for you
Next - walking and talking
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Can I ask how you’re now feeling about your health and how you think this might be affected as you start eating normal food again again instead of the sterile feed?
As I recall, you thought your gut flora / microbiome system might have been killed off whilst being fed via the PEG.
Take care.
I think you speak wisely Deexxx
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I need ankle surgery before I can walk again.on a waiting list,just awaiting details of when.
I’m so much happier now that I’m eating again feeling less like a device that needs charging with PEG feed and more human.4 years is a long time to go without eating❣️ 🜃
I need to replace my gut flora or microbiome,thank you @ManjiB for always remembering what I say in my rather inane posts.
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Michelle - I remember because what you say makes me think and also there are parallels with your condition post stroke and Mum’s and so I am always looking for clues as to what Mum might be experiencing as she cannot explain in ways I can understand.
It’s very hard as she has just got the one phrase for everything and she only uses her left hand to help her communicate.
Hope you get your ankle surgery soon so you can start working on walking again
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