Fentanyl

[Gtmort]

I used to put patches on my shoulders an it was ok, now since I've lost some weight it seems patches will only work when I put them on sides of my chest even when I put them I front of chest it doesn't work and also why can't you overlap where you put last patch like take one off and put new one in same place cause when I do it works very well for pain,and I definitely start feeling withdrawal from fentanyal when I put them anywhere but my sides I'm assuming my core temperature is hotter there than arms or shoulders and I also feel alot better if I change them daily verses every two days.which makes no sence at all since it take 24 hours to build up in system but since insurance company usually demands prior orthorization every six months, and this time they ok prio oth. For six years I don't want to take a chance to ask for a higher dose and I definitely need it. this ***** but any one noticing that Patches work better on sides of chest other than outer body and does anyone overlap patches in same spot an anyone change daily thanks?Also it says in pamphlet that u might encounter slow urination or not being able to empty bladder completly and alway feeling like I have to urinate! Anyone else please I sleep threw the night but I get all those symptoms I've been on this med. for fifteen years so getting of will suck :(:(:(:(:(:(

[CartenCasey]

I very rarely shower with my patches on, I shower and replace my patch when it's time to change it.  I use a Heat Therapy Pump and NEVER use it where my patch is located.  One of the first things my doctor told me was how easy heat on the patch can be absorbed into the body and cause an overdose.   One of  released pills.  One of the best things for me that I like about the patch, is I don't have to remember when I took a pill, or lost track on a 12 hour pill. I would skip a dose if I wasn't sure, better safe than sorry.  Don't have that problem with the biggest reasons I waited as long as I did on a 24 hour pain control.  Morphine just don't work for me, so the patch was replaced with the morphine timethe patches!  I can tell if I forgot to replace the patch and let it go a day later, I am hurting something fierce.   For me, the patch is easier for me to "keep track" of my pain and when it's time to talk to the doctor about changing dosages or break through pain medication.  As far as having to take something the patch for me is easier to keep track of, instead of having to write down the time I took medication so I don't forget it.  

[undrcvranjul]

Hello, I hope I might enlighten you? If you change your patches too early, you are correct, the med doesn't have enough time to be fully released. If you place them in the same place all the time, the medicine eventually eats the skin and causes infections. Overlapping only allows part of the medicine to be released, it takes direct contact with the skin to penetrate. I've been told NOT to put them near your heart, they work best for me on the inner of my thighs, my upper sides, and not quite underneath my armpits. they are activated by body temp. so the hotter you get the more medicine is released. Told NOT to take HOT baths, or showers because it causes overdoes... hope this helps you. I've been on 300 mcg patches every 3 days for 8 yrs now.
                        Best of Luck to You,

[CartenCasey]

I have been using the fentanyl patch several years now.  For me I had to increase the dosage, I think about ever three years.  I am now on the 50 mg patch with meds for break through pain.  I do go to a pain management doctor, and it is much better for you to talk to your doctor about the pain not being controlled.  Your body becomes tolerant and increased doses are expected.   I am surprised your doctor hasn't already increased the dosage after such a long time taking the same pain killer.   If you are having to change the patch everyday, it would be better to talk to your doctor about a increase or maybe  time to try a different  pain killer.  If you don't mind me asking, but how do you have enough patches for the month? I would run out if I changed my patch sooner than the 72 hours, and they count the days according to the 72 hours.  Before changing to the 50 mg, the pharmacist told me that I would be better off going to a higher dosage.  The insurance didn't have to pre cert 2 boxes of  patches a month vs. the 3 or 4 boxes depending on the month.  It was also cheaper co pay, although our generic prescriptions are $5, I would have to pay $15-$20 because of the limits.  I don't know how your insurance is but it might be cheaper for you too.

I have O.A. in both hips and back, so there are days that are good and there are days that it's bad. There are days that the patch is all that is needed, and then there are days that I have to take all 4 of the oxycodone.     It's a good indicator when it's time to have the medicine changed when I have to take  the break through pain when resting.  It took me a couple of years to figure out when it was joint pain or muscle pain.  Now, I know when it's better to take a couple of muscle relaxers and go laid down than keep going and making the pain worse.  That really made a difference for me, because now I can use heat or ice and sometimes that works instead of having to take a pill.

If I can catch it early enough I can avoid getting trigger points or making them worse.  I go to the chiropractor and he has started doing acupuncture, and for me it really helps.  Especially with the trigger points, haven't had to have any trigger point injections since I have been doing the acupuncture.  I was doing the massage therapy, but I haven't had to do it because the acupuncture needles seem to be in the spots I have the trigger points so no more knots!

Not any two people have the same shape, but for me my butt or hips seem to work the best for me.  I have less problems with the patch not sticking or the adhesive not sticking after a few days.  I also noticed that different companies stick differently.  I am not sure how many companies produce the patches but the pharmacy I used has given me two different companies at difference times.  The one I get the most is Watson, and the other company I don't know but the patches are much smaller and stick much better.  On smaller doses the patches are tiny but at 50 they where big enough to apply and stuck much better than the brand I normally get.  Watson's patches are huge and I change my patch every 72 hours and they tend to not stick as well and gap when it's humid or in the summer.   When that happens I take a piece of medical tape or two and keep it stuck to the skin, the doctor told me if the patch isn't firmly on the skin it can't do it's job.  

I have never had any luck with the patches sticking on my upper arms, back, legs or tummy.  I never thought about using the chest, pretty good idea.  I rotate a few spots when I change my patch.  I break out something terrible especially when I sweat in the summer, that is one of the reasons about changing spots when applying the patches, something in the adhesive will break the skin out.  Also with the patch it's been in my experience that the patch should stay on the body 48-72 hours,  that's how my prescriptions where written and the  skin under the patch can't breath and get's all sweaty and I break out.  It itches something terrible when I first take it off, so when I take the patch off I will take some rubbing alcohol and wipe the area where the patch was.  It takes the rest of the adhesive off and dries out the skin and stops the itching.  I don't know if you have that problem, but it's better than itching and breaking out.  One last thing, as far as side effects for me it's the typical stuff.  Constipation, dry mouth ( but that could be the muscle relaxers for me) and a little sleepy when my medicine is changed until I get used to the new dosage.  

Are you sure you don't have a bladder infection?  That's pretty typical for a bladder infection, and the only way I ever had them to clear up was with antibiotics.  I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get some pain relief and really sorry how long this ended up being.

[trixy71]

A couple of things, changing them daily basically means you are giving yourself 2x the amount your supposed to get, this can cause a major overdose, so PLEASE please please, don't do that. Talk to your doctor if the strength isn't helping. The other thing is they work better if you put them on "fleshy" area's, they absorb better through fat than muscle. I hope that helps. Good luck to you.