ATTN ALL FENTANYL USERS

This isn't a question just some advice. The best place I have found to place the patch is just either side of your midline (front not back) and low down (yep, down there). I put it so that the top of the patch is right along the elastic in my undies (and the main part of the patch is completely covered by my undies). This keeps it on perfectly and as a bonus, this part of the body is always warm so the patch works well. Hope it helps. Hairy ppl may need to do a little greenskeeping 1st.
Oh actually I do have a question.
I am on the 100mcg patch and i am finding that my BT meds don't seem to work much at all with it (20mg oxy as req). Those of you on the patch please help re BT meds, What should i try?
THNX everyone. Nick.

[Mollyrae]

Nick:

That is some good advise but I will tell you that most ppl cannot wear the patch in that area. You skin is most sensitive there and will tend to become irritated much quicker than on the arm or chest. And because ti is warmer in that area, the medicne in the patch will effect you quicker and will NOT last as long. The medicine will absorb at a much faster rate. So I guess in my opinion, it is not a good idea to wear the patch in this area. Remember...warm is not good for a patch.....

Take care,
Mollyrae

[bev62]

I have tried putting the patches in almost every area you could think of, and like Nike I have found that the lower abdomon has been the best place to keep them secure.  I don't seem to be getting the meds any faster in that area.  I switch sides everytime I change patches. Great tip Nick.

[melo64]

Just my two sense.........I have neck and lower back pian and my PM doc told me not to put it on below the waistline. Not sure why. I have tried to put it under the undies and it came off faster there than when I put it anywhere else. You know.....the taking off the underpants to go potty several times a day. Nope. Didn't work for me.....

[Mollyrae]

I really hope that the members who use the Fentanyl patch and who read this undestand that putting the patch on in a warm place is not a good idea. It will make the medicine go into the blood stream faster than it would normally. Please stick to the arm or chest. It is in your best interest.

Thanks....

[Tuckamore]

I have been told that the patch should be be above the waist also. But everyone one is different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

And Nick the ame is true for breah-through pain. What medication may work for break-through pain for me may not work for you and visa-versa. I would certainly discuss this with your prescribing physician. Because your physician knows you and your condition better than any of us, he/she may have a good suggestion.

Good luck to you. Tuck

[nick30]

hi all, thanks for the feedback. I have not heard that it shouldn't be worn below the waistline. my doc knows where i wear it and he's fine with it. I honestly cant wear it anywhere else (successfully). and for me it isnt excessively hot down there to the point of OD'ing or patch wearing out too soon (there's actually about 7 days of meds in a patch - 100mcg per hr, total of 16.8mg, leaves plenty of leftover). best advice i guess is trial and error. we're all used to being ginea pigs right?

[Tuckamore]

Nick,

Please don't beleive that the fentanyl patch delivers seven days of a therapeutic level dose. It is not true that it is able to deliver any more than the package states. For some patients these patches only produce a therapeutic dose of medication for 48 hours and not the 72 hours promised.

If it works seven days for you, you are the extreme exception. Don't misunderstand me, I am glad that it does work that long for you. I just don't want other Fentanyl users to think that their patches are ineffective or worse.

Thank you for your input. I am glad that this method works best for you. And I beleive you are correct that any elevation in the area that you wear the patch should not be significant enough to cause a problem. According to my research and my physician the heat would have to be increased to 104 body degrees before heat would play a factor in it's dispensing. Which of course means if you have a body temp close to 104 the patch should be removed.

Peace, Tuck

[babygirl149]

Hi Everyone I myself am on the patch i was on 100mcg been wearing the patch since 2006 May and as of yesterday my dosage increased to 125mcg i also take perkocets for break thru pain.... I myself wear the patch on my arms i cant wear them down there cuz my pain is in lower abdoman and i constantly having a heating pad down there, And i read an artical that was on the news aswell as the tv that heat is NOT GOOD FOR THE PATCH... So stay away from the heat, not to scar anyone but the article talked about people wearing it who have died because they were not wearing them properle.... PLEASE JUST BECARFULL....

[Tuckamore]

Babygirl,

You are correct heat and the patch is not a good combination, indeed it can be fatal!!!   But it is safe on your body as long as your body temp remains below 104.

If you should develop fever of 103 I would be concerned but otherwise the normal warmth in the pubis area should not be an issue.  

[nick30]

I'm clearly not as hot as some ppl think!
I should clear something up tho. I don't, nor does anyone, get 7 full days of theraputic dosage from the patch (dead skin etc finishes that idea off, it must go into live fatty tissue). All i meant was that theoretically there is approx 7 days worth of drugs in the patch (dont argue, do the maths). I could be wrong but - a 100mcg patch delivers 100mcg/hr, x24 then times 3 equals the 3 day amount (7200mcg). divide by a thousand to get the milligram amount (7.2mg over the 3 days). That is 2.4mg a day. there is 16.8mg in the 100mcg patch. divide 2.4mg a day into that and you get 7, hence 7 days supply( even tho it isn't accessable thru normal means, but it explains why junkies seek used patches, they're still loaded). If my math is wrong, please feel free to correct. THANKS. Take care y'all!

[sharonanne]

hi there i have been on the patch now about 6 months now have not had to bad of side affects other then the last few weeks when i take the patch off i am so swollen and red its like its burning me i told the Dr and he gave me cream to put on but its still like red itching whats causing this??? and 1 more ?? what are thr risks of being on this med. for a long time and is it a bad thing or not.. i do have to say my pain is almost nil now and to me thats a relive.it was so bad before if any one can answer my ?? it would be greatfull thank you sharon