Bob, spinal cord injury, US, “If I’m going to go on an airplane, I will do an extra Peristeen® irrigation the night before my flight – just to make absolutely sure my bowel is empty.”*
It's always fun to travel and experience new things but you want to keep the surprises to a minimum. The idea of traveling can be quite intimidating for some Peristeen Plus users, especially if you’re still getting used to your new norm with the irrigations. We have gathered some practical tips that can help you enjoy your time away from home without worrying too much about bowel issues.
Before your trip
Leaving your home requires some planning ahead of time.
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If it helps you feel more secure, add an extra Peristeen Plus irrigation to your current regimen prior to traveling. Making sure your bowels are empty is a good way to reduce the risk of an accident while traveling.
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Make a packing list or download one here so you remember your Peristeen Plus system, enough catheters, and any other items you might need. You can never be too prepared.
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If you have a flight, keep essentials in your carry-on luggage. Just make sure your water bag is empty. You can always purchase water bottles after you go through the security checkpoint.
Make sure you have contact information for your Peristeen Plus supplier or call Coloplast® Care at 1-855-605-7594 if you need any assistance.
Find a nearby restroom
Download our complimentary WheelMate™ app from Google Play or the App Store. It makes it easier to find wheelchair accessible public restrooms when you’re away. Whether you're local or traveling, WheelMate can help you plan your day.
While away
If you’re traveling for an extended time, make sure you have contact information for your Peristeen Plus supplier. Call Coloplast Care at 1-855-605-7594 if you have any questions, or if you need help connecting with Coloplast Care in another country you are traveling to.
When possible, try to stick to your normal routine. Make sure to wash your hands before and after using Peristeen Plus. As a general rule, 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 common to suffer from an upset stomach while traveling, especially when you may be eating differently than you do at home. Pay attention to diet and hydration. Try to stick to the same low-fat, low-sugar, high-fiber diets with adequate nutrition that you follow at home. This may take some extra planning with your healthcare provider prior to leaving for your trip. If upset stomach symptoms become severe while you are away, contact your healthcare provider.
Carry a copy of your 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.
Should any issues arise with your Peristeen Plus system while you are away, call Coloplast® Care at 1-855-605-7594.
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.
*Coloplast has compensated this user to share his product experience. Each person's situation is unique so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether this product is right for you.
