Building your personal routine
Like learning anything new, establishing a routine for your Peristeen Plus irrigations can take a while to master. However, finding a personal routine that fits into your daily life is an important part of coming to terms with your bowel challenges and regaining control of when you empty your bowel.
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.
People often perform their first irrigation in the evenings or weekends. As time goes on, most people empty their bowels in the morning so they feel more confident during the day. If you change the time you normally perform the irrigation, remember it may take some time to adjust. Build a routine that works well for you!
Tip: Irrigate after eating. Starting irrigation 20 to 30 minutes after eating (whether it's a meal or a healthy snack) may help stimulate your bowels’ natural activity, making it easier to empty them. Also, drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water per day can help keep you hydrated.
Keeping a record of your irrigations with Peristeen Plus using a bowel diary1 is a great way to determine what works best for you and your routine.
Practice to build confidence
We know it takes a bit of time to get used to using Peristeen Plus. The most important thing is that you continue to be patient and stick to your irrigations.
Tip: Consider giving yourself a positive reward or something to look forward to- a favorite book that you only read during irrigations, a tv show or a soothing meditation.
It can be beneficial for you to use a usage calendar2 to help you keep track of the number of times you use Peristeen Plus, and when to replace the different parts of the system.
Build 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 develop a fine-tuned routine after a few weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks – so be patient and adjust the following variables as recommended and in consultation with your doctor*:
- 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 optimize their routine after years of using Peristeen Plus.
- Make an entry in your bowel diary each time you empty your bowels.
‡ Source: adapted by Coloplast from the original 'Bristol Stool' form scale first published: Lewis SJ, Heaton KW. Stool form scale as a useful guide to intestinal transit time. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 1997;32:920-4.
2. The usage calendar is a helpful tool to 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.
Information from Coloplast Care is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations. You should rely on the healthcare professional who knows your individual history for personal medical advice and diagnosis.
