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Need help! Butrans Patches Best place to put it? Super itchy!! Not sticking!!

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Posted 5/31/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All! So happy I found this site! I am 39, mom of 3 & suffer from spinal stenosis, had disc c-5 removed in 2008, & chronic pain for over 7 years. My dr recently added 10mg Butrans patches, they don't seem to stick well after showering 2nd day, are SOOOOO itchy and leave a terrible rash when removed after first week. Any suggestions? Not sure they are even helping. Putting on week 3 today.

Any area you have found that works best for placement? Do they work better after in my system for awhile? Is my regular regimen of Percocet still working with this patch? Thank u for any help!!
Posted 6/1/2012 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. I'd call the doctor because it sounds like you are having an allergic reaction to the adhesive. Itching on top of pain, I feel for you!
Posted 6/1/2012 1:38 PM (GMT 0)

      Good morning Azmom!...and Welcome to the CP forum! wink

          I'm sorry to hear that your having trouble with the patches. I too, will recommend that you contact your Dr about this...and you might ask about taking antihistamine...maybe in a cream form. Also, there is a product called TegaDerm that may help it to stay on better...but it may have the same effect with the itching problem...if you have sensitive skin issues. Please consult your Dr and let them decide what is best for you.

   Good luck. and let us know what they say.

   SE wink       

Posted 6/1/2012 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I took the morphine patch & I could not get it to stick anywhere no matter what. There is a type of large clear band aid product & it's been so long ago since I took it I can't remember the technical name. Anyhow, any drug store like CVS or Walgreens should carry them. And I originally talked to the pharmacist about my issues & he would get them for free for me. (He had to order them) I was also able to call the pharmaceutical company & they would send them to me for free. I still would have a few issues with them but it helped much more. I would call the pharmacist near you & tell them your issue- go grab a pack, cause it takes a little bit for your freebies to arrive. Hope this helps!!
Posted 6/1/2012 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

       ...Yes!...the Product is called TegaDerm as noted above.

          and the company of some of the products will send you free product to cover up the patch and should stick better. A word of caution ....I have read that the company will require you to follow all instructions first, as far as getting the patch to stick.....and if you answer no to any of their questions they will not send them until you first try all instructions first.

    Your local pharmacy should have some sort of product for you to try.

    Good luck!

   SE wink

Posted 8/7/2012 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

In regards to the original post....I myself have been on the 20mcg patch for about a year now. I don't believe that you're having an allergic reaction, most of ghe posts I've found about Butrans all say that they are having severe itching, I know I definitely do. I've come to the conclusion that the more you rub or itch the more you're creating the patch to losen up on your skin. I've found that the best places to put the patch are on my side right beneath my armpit so that way my bra secures that the patch stays in place, also the same for my upper back also on the bra line. Unfortunately there's not much you can do about the itching except to just bear with it and try your hardest not to itch it. Also I noticed that you had mentioned you are taking percocet as well, now I can't remember the medical term for this, but there is something in the Butrans patch that creates the patch from not working while taking it with another narcotic, it basically kills the patch from working full speed. Just google taking percocet with Butrans and I'm sure you'll find what I mean lol! I had that problem when I first started the patch and I thought it wasn't working but it was b/c I was still taking Vicodin. My doctor advised me to stop taking the pills and give the patch at least 72 hours before it actually kicks in (for first time application and use). I've been pain free since stopping those horrible pills and found that this patch is a life saver...minus the itching! Good luck and I hope this helps you out...try the spots I mentioned :) All the best!!! :)
Posted 8/7/2012 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
My first couple of Butrans were itchy but they are better now. I can only wear them on my upper arms without itching they drive me crazy on my upper back or chest and they do not stay on in those places. Also tegaderm helps to keep them placed. Another person told me to try wig glue, go into a Sallys beauty type place and ask them for wig glue. I have not tried it but this lady I met once while shopping who had the butrans as well said it works like a charm.
Posted 8/7/2012 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
I also apply them on my side under my bra or on my hip under the side of my underwear. It says not to apply in the same place (when replacing) within 21 days - so change positions every week. Unfortunately I take 15mcg so I have to wear 2 patches, which makes that difficult. Also, if you didn't know, be careful to put it in a place where you are less likely to have it exposed to heat b/c it can make the patch emit too much of the med and give an overdose. I have taken many hot baths with it without a problem but have seen that in the warning list. I have some itchiness with it but has been bearable. Good luck figuring it out!
Posted 8/7/2012 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't used one of the opioid patches, but have used flexor and lidoderm patches.

How about having it either on your upper arm or thigh, then wrap around a tensor bandage or something similar... not too tight of course, but enough to help keep it in place. Google "breathable arm band"or "breathable sleeve" -- maybe something will look suitable.
Posted 8/15/2012 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have found the best way to get them to stick is to put them under my bra near my arm pits and on my back. Avoiding the front of chest where we women have movement is helpful. As for the itching, my doc prescribed flonase. Spray it on where the patch is gonna go and let it dry. Apply the patch and go. It helps though nothing is perfect if you are out in moist hot weather! smhair Good luck!
Posted 8/6/2013 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I know this thread is old but I had the itching also.

I found out the cause of the itching though and wanted to share. Do not get the patches wet. While it says they can become wet, I noticed a direct correlation to them getting to wet and the itching. I was able to put one on and not get it wet for a whole week and it never itched. While during another week my patch became soaked after a shower and it itched the whole week. I believe there is a chemical reaction between the medicine or adhesive and water that causes the allergic reaction.

Try to keep one in a place that it won't get wet and let us know if it doesn't itch for you.
Posted 8/6/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone... Hopefully my experience will help someone even though this thread is old. I was on Fentanyl patches. I had a terrible time getting them to stick and having them itch until I put them on my lower abdomen where my underwear covered them. I hope that helps!
Posted 8/6/2013 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I use band-aid brand, FLEXIBLE FABRIC extra large, and WATER PROOF Band-aid. I swim at least 3 times a day. I have to PULL it when the 3 days is up for change and I am always amazed how great it sticks, and does NOT stick to the patch. I change my Fentanyl 25 mcg after 72 hrs. and the patch is still stuck to my skin and is dry. I hope it might work well for you.........best regards...Cathy
Posted 8/6/2013 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
During the hot weather we've bern having I've had a problem with both my fentanyl and my hormone patch sticking. Out local pharmacist phoned the local hospital and was advised that I should use tegaderm or opsite, it still allows the patch to 'breathe'. For me opsite sticks better than tegaderm but they're both good.

Jane
Posted 8/10/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in my second week on the BuTrans 10 mcg patch. I had some problems with the first one which brought me to this forum. With the help of others here, I've found the 3M Tegaderm 1626W film will keep the patch in place and showerproof as well.

A couple of things I've learned:

The edges of the BuTrans patch will stretch/elongate more than the center, active area. If you apply like a band-aid, pulling a bit as you apply, the edges will contract after you let go, bunching up or puckering the center area which prevents the drug from contacting your skin over the entire active drug area.

The Tegaderm covers are available in a bazillion different sizes and types. The stuff is *very* thin and *very* sticky. If it contacts itself, you will most likely be unable to peel it apart so you may end up throwing it away. You don't want to do that as they are about a dollar each. The numbers with a "W" on the end of the number indicates a "window" version which means the film has a heavy paper border around it which is a huge help in preventing the film from folding over and touching itself, making a mess of things. Once applied over the patch, the paper border peels off and you're left with a very thin, semi-transparent waterproof cover over the patch. I'm very happy with this combination and I'm hoping with proper adhesion this time, I'll get the full seven days of relief from this patch.

Fortunately for me, I don't have any problems with itching so I'll leave that to the others. Good luck and be well.
Posted 8/10/2013 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
This works for me (I use fentanyl patches but should work the same - the adhesive caused sores & itching which I tolerated for first month so my dr could see I needed the steroid spray. Sigh):

Clean area with just a little rubbing alcohol (removes any residue of soap or sticky leftovers from old patch or tape)

Air dry a few minutes

(Ask dr to prescribe nasal steroid spray like flonase.. )
spray area with flonase & allow to air dry

The patch comes with insert of medical info which identifies which adhesive cover to use over that patch.. several folks' gave advice above re:gettng them for free

Apply patch

Cover with appropriate cover, put on clothing to hold it in place and sit or lay still with heating pad over area for 10 min or so.. set an alarm/ timer - do not over do the heat !! It kinda softens/ melts the adhesive a bit.. I wait a half hour or so before getting really active.

Mine now stay on even after a couple of hours in the pool !!!

Mine work best on torso just above or below waist.. cannot get them to stay on my arms

Good luck!!
Posted 12/6/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
kellybeth

Just wanted you to know that butrans is like suboxone without the naloxone. Naloxone is what blocks any opiates one may take if they even try. It would be a waste hence the naloxone. But again, there is no naloxone in these patches, just buphenorphrine. Therefore, there is nothing that prevents other pain medication from working. Intact, some doctors will prescribe a prescription as you begin the patches because it takes a day or two to really start working to the point of there being obvious help. Not only that but, many doctors prescribe pain medication where someone has breakthrough pain in the midst of specific circumstances but is very common.

I just wanted to verify that, however I do suggest sticking to the patch alone to lessen the chance of addiction, better yet the chance of withdrawal symptoms if and when one is taken off the patch. However, depending on the dose, they would most likely taper you down depending if you've been using a higher dose and if you've been using buttons patches consistently over a good period of time.

Regardless, just thought that may help anyone.
Posted 12/7/2014 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Overcome88. this is a very old thread, if you look at the date, the original post was in 2012.

I'm sure one of the moderators will come along and lock the post because they want older posts kept off the main page.

Welcome to the forum, and usually new members post an intro and you should also read the forum rules.
Posted 12/7/2014 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Overcome & welcome to the forum. As it was pointed out you have posted on an older thread that has not had any activity in awhile. You are welcome to join us here, but we do ask all new members to make a separate intro post so that all members will see it & be able to say hello & welcome aboard.

I will lock this thread so others will not continue to post on it. Thanks.
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