Gianni’s 6 tips for getting the most out of TAI
Gianni lives with LARS and therefore uses Peristeen® Plus to manage his bowel issues. With TAI, Gianni is able to maintain his job as a skilled craftsman and pursue an active social life. He has a lot of fantastic insights into how to make the most of Peristeen Plus.
Read on to get essential first-hand tips from Gianni and his wife on how to manage your bowel issues and make Peristeen Plus work for you.
Tip #1 Speak up
First of all, if you are still struggling with bowel issues alone, speak up. Gianni recognises the challenge of opening up about bowel issues. It may not be easy, but it is the best way to get the treatment and support you need.
“Advising someone on the use of Peristeen Plus is not easy, because first they have to tell you that they have a problem. It’s not easy for someone to come to you and say, “I have this problem with my bowel.” - Gianni
Tip #2 Follow the instructions
“The first-hand advice I can give someone who is starting to use Peristeen Plus is to follow what they tell you to the letter.” – Gianni
When you start out with Peristeen Plus, you will be prescribed a certain frequency and volume of water to use. Following the instructions carefully and maintaining consistency routine is the best way to see results.1
Tip #3 Have patience
It can take a while for your body to get into the rhythm of irrigations.1 Therefore, it is important not to be discouraged if the first irrigations see varied success.
“To someone who is starting to use Peristeen Plus, with the experience that I saw Gianni have, I’d definitely encourage them to take it easy and get help if they need it. It has the results.” – Monika
Tip #4 Utilise the support from Coloplast Care
You don’t have to manage all of this alone. Whilst you are getting used to the treatment, call your Care Advisor if you need further support. Gianni is now a seasoned pro with Peristeen Plus, and still leans on the support of Care if he has any issues.
“The advice I can give to someone who uses Peristeen Plus and is having difficulties would be to ask or insist on support. I call the Coloplast Care team if I have problems so I can consult someone over the phone.” – Gianni
Monika seconds this piece of advice, knowing how important it is her husband gets the specialised support when he needs it.
“If Gianni has problems, he only has to call. It’s a protection for these people, because in a moment of difficulty or where they have some problem, you can’t run to people who don’t know what to say. You know that the Care Advisors are people who are suited to this.” – Monika
Tip #5 Communicate with your loved ones
If you live with others in your household, it can be important to work together to find the best way to integrate Peristeen Plus into everyday life.
“How did we approach the irrigations in the beginning? As a new thing, like all new things. We agreed as a family that I would need my own personal space in the evening. We tried to collaborate with each other. If I felt I didn’t have a huge need to go to the bathroom to do the treatment, I let them go to the bathroom, otherwise they would go after. We came to an agreement; it was a normal thing.” – Gianni
“For other families who use Peristeen Plus, I would definitely say to use it with ease, to trust it. If it doesn’t work the first time, try it again. Find the right method, or the right schedule for everyone” – Monika
Talk about TAI with loved ones
Tip #6 Plan ahead when travelling
With consistent high-volume irrigations, it is possible to remain continent for up to 2 days,1 meaning that travelling when living with bowel issues is still a possibility. Gianni’s advice when travelling is to keep things as simple as possible.
“My advice about travelling with Peristeen Plus would be not to create problems for yourself. Travel with the Peristeen Plus system in your luggage. When you reach the accommodation that you’re staying at, do your treatment. I did various jobs away from home, I also did 13 hours of continuous travelling and when I arrived, I did my treatment… it went well.” – Gianni
