Building your personal routine
Like learning anything new, establishing a routine for your Peristeen Plus irrigations can take a while to master fully. However, finding a personal routine, which fits into your daily life, is an important part of coming to terms with your bowel problem and regaining control of when you empty your bowel.
It is important that your doctor or nurse shows you how to use Peristeen Plus correctly before you use it on your own. They’ll also discuss how often you’ll need to use it and be able to answer any questions you may have.
Find a regular routine that works best for you
Find the best time to irrigate then stick to it. Initially, bowel irrigation should be performed every day. Once a routine is established (this may take several weeks), the procedure can be performed every other day. Your physician will determine how often you need to use the Peristeen Plus system.
When you have found a regular and effective bowel care routine, you should aim to irrigate around the same time of the day. Some users find it helpful to perform their first irrigations in the evenings or weekends so they can take their time. As time goes on, most users tend to empty their bowels in the morning so they feel secure during the day. If you change the time you normally perform the irrigation, remember it will take some time before you notice a lasting difference.
Tip: Irrigate after eating. Starting irrigation 20 to 30 minutes after eating can help stimulate your bowels’ natural activity, making it easier to empty them. Always remember to keep hydrated – aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses (equivalent to 1.5-2 litres) of liquid per day.
Keeping a bowel diary can be a good idea to keep record of your bowel movements. Noting things down, such as when you irrigate, how much water you use and the results achieved can help you adjust the program if necessary. This way you can track your progress with Peristeen Plus and help establish a personalized routine.
Experiment: practice makes perfect
We know it takes a bit of time to get used to using Peristeen Plus. You may take some practice before you feel more confident. Don’t be afraid - trial and error is key and you should change the routine to suit what works best for you. The most important thing is that you continue to be patient and stick to your irrigations.
Tip: Consider giving yourself a treat. Some users find it helpful to have a Peristeen Plus ‘treat’. Consider rewarding yourself after irrigations or watching a favourite TV show on your phone or tablet during the procedure.
It can be beneficial for you to use a Usage Calendar to help you keep track of the number of times you use Peristeen® Plus, and when to replace the different parts of the system.
Continue to make small tweaks to your routine.
As with anything new, it may take time to get used to your new bowel management routine. With a little time, practice and perseverance, you should find Peristeen Plus easier and more comfortable to use over time. Most people will have developed a fine-tuned routine after a few weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks – so be patient and adjust the following variables if necessary*:
*Be sure to always consult your healthcare professional before changing anything in your routine.
- Number of air pumps
- Amount of water
- Frequency of irrigation
- Time of day
- Diet
- Any medicines you take
Don't worry if you need to make small tweaks. Some users still find ways to optimise their routine after years of using Peristeen Plus.
- Bowel diary make an entry in the diary each time you empty your bowels.
2. Usage calendar: This is a tool to help you keep track the number of times you use Peristeen® Plus, and when to replace different parts of the system. After each irrigation, circle the usage date number. Continue to use this calendar until you complete 90 irrigations. If you start a new calendar, remember to start at the ending point of the old calendar.
