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2nd Month of Mylan patches.Big problems with patches falling off.Now 6-days short.Any Info??

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Posted 2/3/2013 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
I started with the Mylan fentanyl patches on Dec 21,2012 and the first month I lost 2 doses due to not sticking. I refilled my second batch and was told to call Mylan and tell them whats going on and they will send me some covers to help. I just received the Askina derm but not before I lost 3 doses or 6 days. I called my insurance company and they told me I can refill on Feb 8,2013 and if I wanted to refill them earlier I needed my PMdoc to write the script a little different from the original. I.E. 100mcg Q48 plus a 75mcg Q48 instead of the 2-100mcg every 48hr's that I was receiving, Does this make sense by just adjusting the prescription I would be able to fill early. I did speak with my insurance co. and this is what I was told.. Any info on this plan..

The reason I have been losing the patches is the cold sweats I go thru. When they hit I become drenched and clammy cold at the same time.....I did use the Askina derm on 1 dose and these things stick very well and I know I would have no problem when using them.. Thanks for any help Randy

 

Posted 2/3/2013 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hey rjbeck
I have been on the patches for about five years now and I have always bought the nexus brand clear abrasion skin covers to go over mine and never had a problem. Also, as long as your pm doc changes the prescript a little and makes a change then ins. Will cover it. At least that's the way my insurance is anyway. The sweats that come along as a side effect with that drug are awful. Good luck to you!!!
Posted 2/3/2013 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Randy,

I get what you are saying.... meaning, if the script is different - the insurance will pay for it.

That being said, are you going to be able to get by with a lower strength for a month? (If written, for instance, for the 100/75mcg combo)....

I hope the covers work for you. The patches work the best for me.... but, after 100's of tries with them, I finally asked my PM to say no if I ever ask to try them again, lol.... I always thinking "this time" will be different, but they cause more trouble than what they are worth for me.

--Tina
Posted 2/4/2013 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Just because the insurance covers it doesn't mean the pharmacy will fill or can fill it. It's a scheduled and there are set guidelines to how early you can fill.

Also written as they advised your down 25mcg and if you take your normal versus the way it's written your lookin at the same deal next month.

I would not advise being short 2 months in a row. Have you been notifying your doctor re:falling off? What did they say do? If you didn't tell them when it was actually happening you could find yourself just up that proverbial creek without paddle or patches.

Good luck and I believe I would find a way to get the things to stay on even if I had to use duct tape.

Vickie

Post Edited (nvrthesame98) : 2/4/2013 5:26:32 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/4/2013 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
In my short relationship with the patches I also had this problem. In the beginning I just kept all the patches that fell off and showed them to my doctor. He had no problem writing a new script for me the first time but advised me to get the covers which I did and never had a problem after.

The insurance thing is true, I ran into this problem also. But can your doctor write for 50mcg patches so you can double up and not be shorted on the medication?

Good luck! :-)
Posted 2/5/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Called my PM doc this am (Mon 2/4)and she told me to come by and pick up a new 10-day prescription and to make sure the insurance was going to pay for it she ordered 4-50mcg's patches every 48hr's and I had no problem filling the script 6-days early.. I've gone thru so many different doctors for the several problems and alot of them have had no clue to patient care but I when I found my pain doctor I think I was blessed. She just goes way out of her way to make sure her patients are taken care of....
Posted 2/5/2013 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
While I personally don't have any trouble with keeping my fentanyl patches on, I might suggest for those that do, use what nurses call "pink tape", often used by Ostomy patients with their appliances. A small strip, one on each end, will hold anything in place. Wet or dry, hot or cold. Cheap to buy, just make sure you don't cover the patch, as my doctor says they have to be able to "breathe" to absorb correctly into your skin. I have used "pink tape" when needed with my Urostomy devices, and have never had one come loose, even when they get soaked in urine.

david
Posted 2/5/2013 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you didnt have any trouble getting the needed meds. All I can say is be ever so glad you dont live in Fl right now!

Point is though at the end of the day you have to come up with a plan to keep them from coming off. She might have been ok this time and she may be ok next but sooner then later she is going to be in the position of not being ok with scripting early to cover patches that dont stay.

David had a wonderful suggestion and he is right about the pink tape it almost takes glue removal( and we do use something like that)to render the tape useless. If you have problems finding it in the pharmacy check with your medical supply house that sells retail. Shouldnt cost alot ans certainly cheaper then replacing the fent patches and the risk of angering your PM
Posted 2/5/2013 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I grew up in South Florida for my first 35yrs (Miami Beach)then moved to North Carolina. I was in S.Fla during the pain clinic craze then I moved in 2007...I am glad I am not there now.....

I just recieved 30 covers from Mylan Pharm the other day called Askina Derm and they work great. They are really just another name for Tegaderm. But they are shipped to me for free every month until I stop it.. Thanks everybody for all of the input...Randy

Posted 2/5/2013 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
On the pink tape, you can also buy it anywhere that sells Ostomy supplies, even online, a standard roll of 3/4" wide tape cost about 5 bucks if I remember correctly. My wife uses nicotine patches, and they come off of her in the first hour normally, she uses the same pink tape to keep them in place.

david
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