Seeing the results of TAI
If your child uses transanal irrigation (TAI) routinely, they will find that they have better control over their bowel and are more confident in their continence. It is therefore important that you help to keep them motivated and really emphasise the benefits of using Peristeen Plus.
The learning process
It is important to explain to your child that when you start to use TAI, it is learning process for you both. This way, they will not be disheartened if not everything goes perfectly the first time.
At the start of your journey, you and your child will very much need to get to grips with the basics of Peristeen Plus. Your child’s bowels will also need a little time to get used to irrigations and the first few irrigations may vary in their success. Make sure to work with your child to ensure the bathroom is set up in a way that makes this process as simple as possible. Also, be honest – it may take some time to see the results from this procedure.
After some time, after you have established the basics of TAI and a routine, you may need to experiment a little with the irrigations to see what works best for your child’s bowels. In agreement with your healthcare provider, together you and your child can fine-tune your routine after some weeks of irrigations. Building a personalized routine for your family will help you get the most out of your child’s irrigations every time. Explain to your child that this is a normal step when learning to do TAI, so they do not lose confidence in the process or worry that it is being done wrong.
Dealing with setbacks
There will be days when the irrigation is less successful than others. Your child will notice this just as much as you, and it is natural to be disheartened. Don’t let this get the better of you, and make sure you reassure your child that this is just a minor setback.
Keeping an irrigation diary can sometimes help to deal with your child’s anxiety when it occurs. If they are upset, you can then point to all the other successful irrigations they have had and remind them that the body is always different. Therefore, their irrigations will also differ sometimes.
Moving forward
Managing your own expectations and emotions
Always remember that all the emotions and concerns you feel, your child will likely feel as well, even if they do not express them. Therefore, it is important that you remain positive when talking about TAI and try to encourage them. Together, you can do this.
If your child has a bad irrigation or is unwilling to do TAI on a particular day, try not to show how this annoys you. This can put further strain on your child’s relationship with TAI.
If you are struggling with your child’s irrigations or have concerns, you may want to talk about this with your healthcare provider. You can always reach out to our reach out to our Care Advisors on (phone) (day, time) who will be happy to assist you in any way they can.
Always remember, if you have concerns about your child’s bowels’ response to TAI or if they experience pain when irrigating, reach out to your nurse or doctor for further help.
