I've been using Peristeen since it first came out. My traditional program of suppositories and fleets gradually become more and more time consuming until it lasted for hours, was painful, and triggered dysreflexia. it was also leaving me with bowel accident so often I was afraid to leave the house. Peristeen has been a complete game changer. It's not as messy so using it is easier on my attendants. it does not trigger dysreflexia for me. it's not painful, unless I have a hemorrhoid (regular hemorrhoid cream the night before is taking care of that). it takes the predictable amount of time and is comparatively speedy (about 45 minutes beginning to end every other day), so I can add it to my morning routine without it messing up my busy schedule.
Perhaps most importantly, it is EFFECTIVE. It actually cleans me out and I almost never have bowel mishaps, anymore. this has been a humongous benefit to going out, making travel plans (It's very portable, fitting in a midsized purse), my love life ( it not only eliminated untimely accidents it removed the mood to killing anxiety of potential accidents), etc. I hadn't really realized how my old bowel management program had compromised my quality of life until I saw the difference Peristeen made. In fact, I would say it was at the very top of the list of the products that have made my quadriplegia manageable, along with a Sure Hands lift, a Ride wheelchair cushion, accessible minivan, and Alexa as a smart home controller. The only downside I experienced with Peristeen was its cost. Since it wasn't covered initially by my insurance, I had to pay out-of-pocket around $300 A MONTH. This was rough to handle but since it dramatically increased the time I had for work, and allowed me to go to the office without racing home from bowel accidents, it was worth it financially. it took a few years but eventually I found a doctor in my network (Kaiser Permanente) that believed in the benefits of Peristeen to advocate for it internally. Late last year, my insurance decided to cover it completely. If Peristeen had not come out when it did, I probably would've ended up with a colostomy bag. I understand they can work wonders for some people, but I was dreading it. Peristeen gave me options, and a huge boost to my quality of life. I rave about it to every Quad and Para I meet. my wife jokes that I'm trying to get a job at Coloplast (the manufacturer). I've been happy to see that Peristeen is is being strongly supported by Coloplast. they just came out with an upgraded design that makes the reusable pump last longer. if anybody has more questions about it, please reach out. Ed Tessier ________________________________ From: Don Price <donpric...@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 12:57 PM To: Shala Silverstein <chopsk...@gmail.com>; Dana <wraydan...@gmail.com> Cc: quad-list@eskimo.com <quad-list@eskimo.com> Subject: [QUAD-L] New Bowel Management System - Peristeen Plus Hi everyone! I've been a c5 quad for 40 years now. Bowel programs are the most difficult thing for most of us. Grrrrrr Recently I was at a conference and talked to the Coloplast rep regarding their new(ish) bowel product, Peristeen Plus. It's an enema system (nothing new there), but the design of it and the way it works seems like a real improvement. Check out the YouTube video. Disclaimer: I have not tried this product. I don't work for Coloplast or have any affiliation with them. Peristeen Plus is an effective alternative to conservative bowel management methods. It can be administered either on your own or with assistance, and enables you to decide when and where you want to empty your bowel. Used routinely, daily or every other day, it can help reduce the physical discomfort and worry that fecal incontinence and constipation bring. When the recommended amount of water is introduced into the bowel, water and stool are emptied into the toilet. Peristeen Plus can be used by a wide range of people with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD), from children to adults. The patient must receive thorough instructions from a qualified healthcare professional before using this product. How to Use Peristeen® Plus (Adult)<https://youtu.be/_hmRMX5BFsY> <https://youtu.be/_hmRMX5BFsY> [https://s.yimg.com/nq/storm/assets/enhancrV2/23/logos/youtube.png] How to Use Peristeen® Plus (Adult) https://products.coloplast.us/coloplast/continence-care/peristeen/peristeen-plus-tai/peristeen-plus-transanal-irrigation-system/
