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Fentanyl patch, problem keeping it on ???

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Posted 1/23/2013 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi folks, today is my first day with a fentanyl patch. Has anyone else had problem keeping it on tight, with all corners down secure? I saw my PM doc. yesterday. I have been in just horrible pain since I fell 9 days ago. I fell twice in 30 minutes and can tell exactly where I messed my back up. He added the pain patch to my regimen, plus changed hydrocodone to Norco, and started me on Celabrex. I expected to feel way different today, but I still have lots of pain. When can I expect to be better? He said I was very inflamed in my body. I see a new Rhumy doctor in Feb. My hands are swollen and every joint just throbs. I dont do well on steriods at all. I get very sick from prednisone. I know it would make a difference. Thanks for reading. I hope everyone is having a good day today. Im sure this cold weather all across our country can account for lots of pain....hugs and well wishes...Cathy
Posted 1/23/2013 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy, I am new around here. I usually use surgical tape on any patches. It also help for wen you shower or bath. Sure hope you get some relief.
Posted 1/24/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Tegaderm is what a majority of people use. It is a thin clear flexible covering, it works great and you cant even feel it. You can get it at the pharmacy. I buy mine on Ebay, greatly discounted when you buy a box of 100. Some of the companies will also send you special covers if you call the customer service and complain about your patches falling off, but you will need to do this monthly. I did that once and couldnt get that to stick for the 3 days either. I have used the Tegaderm for almost 6 years now.

Good luck and I hope you start to feel better real soon!

Hugs!
Posted 1/24/2013 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
It may take a few days to be completely effective. Call the maker about how handle it. There are different patches and you need to be careful what cover you use. There are also different delivery systems. Be careful not to take too much break through meds.
Posted 1/24/2013 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Fentanyl patches did not work for me I guess my skin likes oxygen or maybe because I'm allergic to latex tape, band aids and etc.

After putting a patch on besides not wanting to stay on my skin turned red and started to itch and look water logged had to take a picture of it with my phone to show the doctor there not for me.

Also learn a lesson being smart and a guy with hair like a grizzle bear I decided to shave part of my chest then slapped the patch on. TRUST ME! VERY BAD IDEA! LOL! READ THE WARNINGS AFTER MY BRIGHT IDEA FAILED! Gave the doctor a good laugh though.

Have a pain pump now and finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Getting a needle pocked in my belly to refill the pump is a lot better than taking 16 pills a day and still suffering stuck in bed feeling doped up all the time. Walking around the house again has become a miracle.

I pray the patches work for you. Hang in there there's always hope.

God Bless
Posted 1/24/2013 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I use Tegaderm to keep my Fentanyl patches on. I hope you feel better really soon.

hugs
Loretta
Posted 1/24/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...

I just wanted to pop in and say to PLEASE be careful with these patches as I know from reading your posts here and on the Fibro board that you were only on two to three 7.5 Norcos/Vicodin a day and moving to the Fentanyl patch is a BIG jump. I'm really hoping it's only the 12.5mcgh patch but even still, Fentanyl is the strongest pain medication available. That is why it is in MICROgrams and not MILLIgrams like other medications.

So, please be very careful to not drive or do anything like cooking on the stove alone until you figure out how this medication affects you. It is meant to release medication throughout the 3 days you wear it.

Also do NOT take a long hot shower...this is how I ended up in the ER with too much medication released at once. I had a wonderful Primary Care Dr. when I first started out with pain and she was truly trying to help me and I went from 3 of the 7.5 Percocets which are a bit stronger than Norco/Vicodin and she perscribed the 25mcgh patch (the 12.5 wasn't available then)....

So, my Dr. was really trying to help my awful pain but didn't know enough about specific medications....

Obviously the patch can be a very useful tool and a great addition to all the other things we can do to help our pain levels. But I was just surprised to see someone going from such low dosages of Hydrocodone to this as it's only meant for opiate tolerant patients..

We care about you and hope that you will be very careful and that it helps with your pain...
Posted 1/24/2013 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for all the information. I am in heaven, least amount of pain I have been in for 5 plus years. My neuropathy in my feet an legs is is only a 2 or 3 on pain scale. My hands are down to a 5. I dont feel frantic like I have felt for years and years. I am so thankful for the new meds. Its just a shame that it wasnt given to me before now. I love my PM doctor and I trust him. He had never seen me in such a state as I was in on tuesday. My husband helped in relating to the doc how I have been for years, but has gotten so much worse over last months, then the falling that made it so much worse. I will be having injections on my neck, lower back and between my shoulder blades where it has hurt so bad since my fall. I have had injections before but these blocks wont be the same as a steriods. I havent watched the tape yet about the procedures. If I never hurt worse than I do right at this moment I believe I can have my life back. I just have to get some balance. I am really weak and wobbly feeling. My hands do still hurt to touch anything so using my wheelchair is very difficult. Maybe that will get better too. I am just thankful for today. I could not stand the pain that never let up. I will get stronger and will be careful and use my walker. Again, THANK YOU ALL so much for being so caring. Over the past years I have lost touch with all my friends, and I mean ALL of them. I have only left my house to go to doctors. Tuesday was the first time I left my house since dec. 12. I need a makeover for sure. I have not cared about myself in so long. I know my hubby would appreciate a new look. I have a new grandbaby due this summer and I intend to be the nanny. I have the incentive to get better. I just need to get stronger....again thanks...hugs to all, Cathy
Posted 1/24/2013 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
hi cathy....according to the instructions enclosed with the fentanyl patch it is recommended that if you use an adhesive tape to reattach the patch do not cover the entire patch. just tape it to the edges of patch. the company also recommends a product called BIOCLUSIVE for reattaching patch....pal pete
Posted 1/24/2013 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Pete, I never read the boxes lol.
Posted 1/24/2013 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
yah its mouse type you cant read it without a magnfier....you arnt on fentanyl anyway....did you have it once?....pal pete
Posted 1/24/2013 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
No Pete. I was on Butrans 20 mg
Posted 1/25/2013 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I live in FL and I had to stop using the patches because I just couldnt keep them on in the summer and because they made me horribly nauseated and I would get sick pretty much every day even with anti-nausea medication and after wearing them for months. The increase in pain relief that they offered over the other stuff just wasn't worth it because I could barely keep down anything I ate and it was just miserable having to stay near a bathroom or have a trash can handy, not to mention the acid reflux and other issues.

BUT before I stopped using them, I found the best way to keep them on was to take off the old patch, shower and dry off completely, and then put on the new patch (using a different area than the previous patch). Having really clean skin using no lotions or anything and making sure to press down firmly around all the edges seemed to help. Creating that really good first "seal" is key to the patch staying on all three days.

Also, the manufacturer seems to make a difference in the stickiness of the adhesive. The patches Watson makes stuck better for me.
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