Help need ideas/ Distractions from NG tube

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So I just go a NG tube put in and it is so uncomfortable it makes me feel as if I have a constant stuffy nose and also kinda burns not to mention the feeling of the tape around it to keep it in place. I already got yelled at for trying to take it out once. Does anyone have Ideas on how to either make it more comfortable and tolerable or so good distractions from it. The nurse is trying to order me something to help me relax/ hopefully help me sleep since it is 3AM, but she can't get a hold of the doctor that prescribes meds. The feeling is literally causing me to have slight panic.

I had to wear one for what seemed like ages after an emergency gall bladder surgery when I was 35. My best suggestion is to try the other nostril. For some reason when I had a tube in MY left side of my nose it was quite comfortable, but when they replaced it to the right side I had a lot of itching and burning sensations and the feel of a raspy throat. After they thought I was comfortable enough to do my own tube changes, I always used my left nostril even though I was supposed to alternate with the changes. Whatever you do, don't take it out! The sensation of the tube coming up used to be highly disturbing to me all the way from my stomach to the back of my throat. (Of course I have SPD which creates low tolerance of discomfort). I also found it helpful to suck on my pacifier as I was putting the tube down as it helped send it toward my stomach where it's supposed to go instead of my lungs. (cough). If you're wearing a nasal cannula for oxygen as I used to, you might try using Tegaderm (or Blenderm) tape to secure both the cannula and NG tube together. I found it to be the most comfortable, and it blended in with my skin tone. Finally, it might be helpful to know the French size (diameter) of the tube you have in your nose, example 10F for feeding/meds, or if it's a gastric sump for stomach pumping, maybe as large as 14? The irony of it all is that I've been considering trying that controversial "feeding tube diet" as I weigh 235 pounds and binge eat a lot.

Thanks for the tips, I shall try the other nostril and for now at least they have me on the mask for oxygen. The nurses did find some more gentle tape that seems to work better. The appearance doesn't matter much since the only ones seeing it are the doctors and nurses. The tube is just the 10F for feeding and medications, getting it into the right place such as not in the lungs I don't have much of an issue with that but good to know just in case this continues after discharge. I also have been trying to keep my mind busy and hands away from the face in general to avoid urges to pull at it.

Hmmm. That oxygen mask sounds as if it could be applying pressure on your face possibly agitating the NG tube and causing additional discomfort. I would strongly recommend trying to get your caregivers to change you to a nasal cannula which only has the "prongs" going into your nostrils and taping the two tubings together might actually help keep your NG in a more tolerable position. This worked well for me when they sent me home with both the oxygen cannula and 10F NG for medication administration only (not feeding).
I happened to find an old image of myself from 1998 and I'm going to try and post it to help give you courage as you can see in the pic I'm clearly enjoying myself colouring in a Pooh activity book after I was sent home with O2 (starting @ 2 LPM), NG tube (in my favoured nostril), and even a urinary catheter hose dangling out of the cuff of my shorts among monitoring electrodes and IV ports which are covered up by my clothing...

Try finding an activity such as this that you can enjoy in your confines and it should help get your mind off your issues.
FWIW, the paci helped big time due to my sensory problems.

Thank you for the helpful advice. I did have them switch nostrils for me and that did help a lot now it sits in my right side as often as possible. Unfortunately until I get a little stronger I have to stick with the mask for oxygen. It sounds like you Were about as hooked up as I am right now. I have found a great deal of comfort in watching cartoons and coloring in my wild animals coloring book. Also I found that chewing on a rubber straw( since I can't take anything at all by mouth) while they are re positioning the tube and during feedings every couple of hours really helps with the burning feeling. They said that once I get a little bit of weight on me most of the discomfort from the monitors and tubes will go away. I have a really small frame and am severely underweight( 5 feet 4 inches and 95 pounds) so I get a lot of sores and bruises that cause my skin to hurt more that normal. Also before I can get questioned about it, No I do not have an eating disorder. If you want to know why I am this sick please send me a PM and I will respond when I can.

I remember when I was laid up in my hospital bed shortly after my surgery, the respiratory techs came in a few times and tried to put a mask on me over my oxygen cannula and NG tubes in order to give me "breathing treatments", but I simply couldn't stand that elastic mask over my face (plus they wanted me to take out my paci so the mask would work properly), so I declined the treatments. I'm sure my refusal was the main contribution to my prolonged oxygen dependency, especially well after my discharge. I'm really hoping your sats quickly come up to the pointe where they can get you on a nasal cannula, as I'm sure you'll feel much better if you're like me and found the mask on the face so scary.
I'm not going to pry into your personal business, but IF your caregivers are well aware of your ASD situation and you're in a facility that also treats pediatric patients, I wouldn't hesitate to ask them to get you a pacifier to try sucking on during your feedings and so forth. For one thing, I'm sure it would taste better than rubber tubing, and it's also something that's designed strictly for being in the mouth.
I would appreciate it if you will keep us informed of your progress, however, especially if they discharge you while still hooked up to anything because I have tons of tips for coping with technological dependency outside medical facilities. I happened to notice on another thread you posted on that you disclosed your general location, and I'm sure you can see by my user name that I would be your neighbour to the south, so I bet I'd be highly familiar with your area.
In addition, please feel free to discuss the cartoons you like to watch in the hospital. Back when I was there, TV was still analogue and there weren't the variety of channels they have today. I think the only cartoons I had a chance to see in the hospital in 1998 would have been stuff like the Simpsons. I did watch a lot of sports instead. After you discharge, I hope you'll consider posting scans of some of the pages you've coloured as well.
I'll leave you for now with one more pic I dug up of myself at home during my surgery recovery. This time it looks like I'm in my Martial Arts robe at bedtime trying to read myself tired. IIRC that was a book about the life of Princess Diana, who had died recently...