Esther, Quint’s mother
Quint, 12, was born with spina bifida and uses Peristeen®
"Think ahead and consider what kind of facilities are available where you are going. Quint needs more time in the bathroom so we prefer to have a private bathroom available."*
The idea of being away from home – even for short trips – can be quite intimidating when your child is using Peristeen® Plus Transanal Irrigation (TAI) system. Here are some practical tips to help you and your family enjoy time away from home without worrying too much about bowel issues.
Before going away
Leaving your home requires that you make some extra preparations for both your journey and stay. If it helps you feel more secure, consider using Peristeen Plus before you travel. Making sure your child’s bowels are empty is a good way to reduce the risk of an accident while traveling.
- If you’re going away for a long time, make sure you have contact information for your Peristeen Plus supplier. Call Coloplast® Care at 1-855-605-7594 if you need any assistance.
- If you're traveling by air, bring your Peristeen Plus supplies in your carry-on luggage, just in case your luggage is lost or the flight is delayed.
- Pack a smart kit: including everything you might need in case of unexpected bowel accidents.
- Peristeen Plus is a medical device so you should not encounter problems going through security. Simply make sure the water bag is empty. Consider letting the security agent know.
- Bring your child's health insurance card.
- If your child is traveling without you, remember to inform relevant parties about their condition so they are prepared.
Make a packing list
Most children like routines. Make a packing list so you remember your child's Peristeen Plus system, enough catheters, Peristeen Plus sticker chart with stickers, motivational treats and any other items you might need while away. Download a packing list to ensure you remember all must-haves.
Locate the nearest restroom
Download our complimentary WheelMate™ app from Google Play or the App Store. It makes it easier to find wheelchair accessible restrooms when you’re away. Whether you're local or traveling, WheelMate can help you and your child plan your day.
While you're away
Here are some things to consider to make sure you and your child can enjoy a care-free vacation without unwanted complications. Here are some tips that might help:
Keep routines and schedules
Stick to your child’s normal routine, including diet and hydration, if possible.
Tap water that is safe to drink is also safe for irrigation. If in doubt, use bottled water at room temperature or cooled boiled water. Before starting irrigation, ensure the water temperature indicator is green, indicating the temperature is within a suitable range for irrigation.
It’s not uncommon for people to experience more irregular bowel movements when traveling. This may also be the case for your child, and it’s probably not a cause for concern. To prevent accidents during longer trips, consider bringing diapers or pads.
Bring important information
Carry a copy of your child’s prescription details and take your doctor’s contact information with you in case you have questions while away. Being aware of local medical services could also be useful.
Need support?
Should any product issues arise while you are away, call Coloplast Care at 1-855-605-7594. We can support you over the phone or put you in touch with someone locally who can provide assistance.
*Coloplast has compensated this caregiver to share their product experience. Each person's situation is unique so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether the product is right for you.
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. Prior to use refer to product labeling for complete product instructions for use, contraindications, warnings and precautions.
Indication: The Peristeen® Plus Transanal Irrigation System is intended to instill water into the colon through a rectal catheter, which incorporates an inflatable balloon, inserted into the rectum to promote evacuation of the contents of the lower colon. The Peristeen Plus Transanal Irrigation System is indicated for use by children (2 years - <12 years old), adolescent (12 years - < 18 years old), transitional adolescent (18 - <21 years old) and adult patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction who suffer from fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and/or time-consuming bowel management procedures.
Contraindications: Peristeen Plus Transanal Irrigation must not be used in the following situations: known anal or colorectal stenosis, colorectal cancer (active/recurrent), radiotherapy to the pelvis, and recent abdomino-perineal surgery, active inflammatory bowel disease, acute diverticulitis, severe diverticulitis, previous diverticulitis and diverticular abscess, chronic symptomatic diverticular disease, within 3 months of abdominal, anal or colorectal surgery, within 4 weeks of endoscopic polypectomy, recent colonic biopsy, recent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and recent endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection (ESD), severe autonomic dysreflexia, ischemic colitis, during Spinal Cord Shock Phase, complex diverticular disease, in patients who are pregnant and have not used the system before*. Since the list is not exhaustive, the healthcare professional should always consider individual patient factors as well. *If the patient is pregnant and has never used transanal irrigation before, they should not start the irrigation procedure during pregnancy.
Warnings: Peristeen Plus Transanal irrigation procedure should always be carried out with caution. Bowel perforation is an extremely rare, but serious and potentially lethal, complication to transanal irrigation and will require immediate admission to a hospital, often requiring surgery. See the device manual for complete user instructions, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential complications/adverse events. For further information, call Coloplast Corp at 1-855-605-7594 or consult the company website at www.coloplast.us. Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
