Were do u apply your Fentanyl patches ??????

So I started taking the Fentanyl patches last Friday and put them on my arms and didn't read the entire book that they give u on the side effects and warning cause it was so long so I put my next dose on my belly I didn't call the drug store 2 c if it was ok if I did this but it doesn't say anything in the pamphlet not 2 just the back which I can't get 2 very good on my own and the arms which I get weekly injections in or the chest cause of my port a cath were else can I put these things any suggestions????? How long did it take before u noticed any pain control?????I was on hydromorph con tin slow release 30mg twice a day and hydromophome 8mg 3 every 3 hours which I still take but I feel like my body is going through HELL I got alot of pain really all over my body could it b cause I'm coming of my other meds I don't think cause this med is 100 times stronger than my old ones but I'm started 2 dought it....Please advice...Thanks Jenn

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 2/9/2010 7:48:25 AM (GMT-7)

hey gals,, i used them for about a year once. i always put them on my shoulders or upper arm... it stsates not to put them somewhere that will get extra warm like on your back or butt that you will have up against a chair or that you will sleep on continuously. to much med gets released. as for when and how much they will work, depends on the strength.

I wear them on my shoulder (the flat part is the best). Something, that even when the muscle is in motion, it doesn't cause the skin to move...my chest was the worst, way to much movement and the stretching would then make it peel off. I've done it on the shoulder, and lower, more towards the arm on the deltoid. These seem to be pretty decent areas.

Oh, and for me, prior to putting on, I clean the area with an alcohol swab. Let it dry, then apply. Hold for 1 minute...so the heat from your hand can help with the attachment of the adhesive(this part was in the durgesic instructions). It can be risky doing the alcohol swab thing, if you're still in the first couple of days of using the patch. This cuz, it could let a little more of the med in. I just find that they stick perfectly that way.

Sometimes I do have to use a tegraderm to make it stick, but very rarely.

Hi onthecan (love the name), the only thing I have to add is to please please please ALWAYS take the time to read the side effects & warnings. I work in the claims department of a medical malpractice insurance company & daily see horrible things going wrong when people don't follow the instructions. Of course, you hope that your doctor & the pharmacy will guide you in the right direction but things don't always happen the way they should. Be careful & feel better. :)