It's normal to sometimes experience worries or anxiety about TAI, but it is important to recognize these concerns and try to better understand the cause. Then, you can start to manage these feelings and take action!
Managing anxiety
If you manage your bowel with TAI it may cause some level of anxiety. This is common, and you are not alone. You can always reach out to a Coloplast Care advisor if you would like to talk about your TAI routine and work together to overcome these concerns. Your healthcare provider can also offer support.
If you are anxious about TAI, try to uncover the root of this worry. Are you worried aboutwhere you complete your irrigations? Are you concerned about leakage between irrigations? Whatever the source of your concern, take a moment to reflect on what the issue really is and why you feel that way. You are then one step closer to managing your worries.
Reducing stress when performing your irrigations
Always try to make your surroundings as comfortable as possible before starting your TAI routine. If you don’t feel like you have enough privacy or are worried about other people being in the house, talk to them and help them understand your concerns. You can work together to make the environment easier for you.
To create a relaxing environment when you complete irrigations, you may want to try:
- Performing your irrigations when the house is empty
- Putting on background music or the TV for distraction
If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of TAI, use a checklist to ensure you have everything you need before you start. Ticking off that you have everything to hand before you begin will make you more relaxed and confident that you will be successful.
Celebrate your success. When you have a good irrigation, celebrate this with a treat – you deserve it! You may also want to complete an irrigation diary so you can reflect on your journey and track progress.
Gaining confidence in your continence!
If you live with bowel dysfunction, it's normal that it might sometimes weigh on your mind. Transanal irrigation can help you stay continent for up to 2 days, but worries about incontinence can still linger. Therefore, take small steps at first. After performing an irrigation, you can try to leave the house for just a little while to prove to yourself that this is possible. With time, you might consider increasing how long you spend away from home as you begin to trust your bowel in public.
Consider discussing any worries with a close friend or relative, who can offer you additional supportand ease your anxieties. Even though a successful irrigation should help you remain continent, having an ‘emergency plan’ can also help you to feel secure. Consider taking a change of clothes and locating the nearest toilets before heading out. As you become more confident, you may discover that you no longer need to prepare to such a degree and TAI can help your sense of control.
In the event that you frequently do not remain continent after TAI, talk to your healthcare provider who may discuss adjustments to your TAI routine.
Support from others
Never feel like you have to go it alone. If you are struggling with TAI, reach out to a Coloplast Care Advisor by calling 1-855-605-7594 or emailing peristeen@coloplast.com.
Don’t forget the value of talking to others like yourself. Explore local support groups in your area and meet other people who have gone through the same journey. They may have additional tips that you can implement to help manage your anxiety surrounding TAI. These groups may be the social support you need.
Important Safety Information: Peristeen Plus is available by prescription only. Peristeen Plus empties the bowel by introducing water into the bowel using a rectal catheter. The anal irrigation procedure should always be carried out with care. Bowel perforation is an extremely rare, but serious and potentially lethal complication to anal irrigation and will require immediate admission to hospital, often requiring surgery. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk to your healthcare provider to understand the risks and benefits to determine if Peristeen Plus is right for you. This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Although many patients benefit from the use of this device, results may vary. For further questions, call Coloplast Corp. at 1-855-605-7594 and/or consult the company website at www.coloplast.us
