Keeping the Fenyl Patch On

[Yidori]

My husband's PCP (and a nice person here, thanks again!) recomended that we try some things with his Fenyl patch to see if we can get more relief.  He said, and I've also read here, that putting the patch on a 'fatty' part of the body helps because of the interaction between the drug and fat cells.  The hard part with this has been keeping the patch ON the spot we place it.  Before, the only place we could find on my husband's body where the patch wouldn't bend or peal off are the outside of his arms near the shoulder.  Not a particularly fatty area!  My husband is not obese, however with his head pain increasing during excersize, he doesn't get to gym anymore and he has love handles (and I do call them love handles, be both have them so it is a matching set).

Since you can't cover the patch, and the one product we ordered that was for this purpose was only good for keeping the area dry, not really helping to keep it on, we aren't sure how exactly to get the patch to stay on his mid section.

Does anyone have any tricks they can share or recomend places that may not say, wiggle or wrinkle during sitting/ walking?  Where (if you don't mind sharing) do you put your patches?

Also this past week, since my huband doesn't start his new job until Monday and can stay at our house and relax, he's been trying some changes.  First, he dropped his pill usage down to 3-4 pills a day (compared to 6-7).  Very proud of him for that and I know it was really hard.  There was a post from 2010 that was accidently revived a few days ago, but I'm glad it was since it had some really good posts about the pain pill cycle of cheating and reward that my husband has come to face, and it also had some really good points about the differenece between dependance and addiction.  I read it to him and he imediatly said "can you send me the link to that?  I think I might print it out and put it places where I can read it when I need too."  I've been using the word dependant with him and my family since then and it has made several people stop and think, maybe it isn't fair to call him an addict.  After all, not one of them could tell me when they had seen my husband 'High', only 'Happy and pain free'.  When he isn't happy and the pain returns, they had to admit they would all jump in line to complain that he wasn't himself and they didn't want him around... what kind of message does that send?  and I'm guilty of it too, because I don't like to see him in pain, but if he is, I shouldn't do things that seem like punishment.  I need to accept this and the changes to my life too.

As always, thanks so much for being there!

[Yidori]

Thanks for the advice Tuck, taping down the top and bottom of the patch (the edges without the medication) definitely helped.

My hubby surprised me Friday when I came home from work with tickets to a Symphony in Baltimore (playing Final Fantasy music, which we both love) and a night in a very unique hotel two blocks from the symphony house.  I was very surprised that he just booked it for us and seemed excited.

We found out at the last rock concert we went to that loud music and deep base, something about the reverberation, aggravates my husbands head pain, so I'd given up on us going to see something any live music, even something as soft as an orchestra.  

We drove down yesterday and walked around town near the hotel to have a small bite to eat and sample some beer (well my husband tastes a sip or two, and I drink the rest, but that works for us).  Boy was it HOT.  We were both sweating from every pore, but the patch stayed ON through the afternoon and into the evening.  The sides we hadn't taped were popping up a little, but since the longer sides were taped firmly, it kept it's contact very well.  

We had a wonderful time at the concert and I only saw my husband shut his eyes and wince once.  When I touched his arm he just gave my hand a squeeze which means "I'm ok".   He was smiling again when the next song came on and really enjoyed himself.

Reminds me even the little get-away-s to do something nice are still possible.  Not every weekend of course, but it can still happen.

[Tuckamore]

Some ppl just apply a good adhesive tape along the edges of the Patch, without covering the area that contains the medication. It's a trial and error to determine what works best.

I'm guessing it was the size of the Tegaderm that was troublesome for your husband, as it usually works great.... and/or it was the area that your husband placed the Patch.

Yidori, I don't usually have trouble with adhesives... thought I am allergic to a multitude of  medications, animals, airborne particles and other things. So when my PCP ordered the Patch I didn't even think about the adhesive. My reaction was severe. It took several applications but soon my skin actually blistered and I began to swell! We tried everything but alas the Patch is not for me!

I hope a different size of Tegaderm will work for your husband. Good Luck!

[Yidori]

Thanks for the advice, and thanks so much for the link.  Very good reading!  I'll be sure to check the welcome message for other such things.  Reading up and keeping busy is so much better than standing around feeling helpless.

The Tegaderm is what we ordered after my husband's PM told him about it, but I need to go back and check the size.  We probably need something smaller as the one's we have are way too big (they are nearly twice the size of his patch).  We used them once and it kept the area dry (swimming in a pool) but the patch itself came off under the bandage from my husband moving his arms around while swimming, I think because it was too big to hold down the sides of the patch.  That was also before they increased his dose and his patch is larger now.  It might work better now and the doctor gave him two or three extra patches this month, so we can give it go without fear of wasting something he'll need later.

At least my husband doesn't share my allergies to all things adhesive.  Tuck you poor thing!  I hope yours isn't as bad as mine.  Any type of bandage or sticky stuff against my skin makes the whole area red, bloated, and itches like crazy.  Doesn't seem to matter what part of my body either, though it is much worse with the sensitive areas.  When I've had surgery (which has been often due to lots of benign tumors, mainly in my breasts), they never believe me and tape up the wound.  Then they are all horrified when I come back the next day with welts everywhere the tape touched my skin yelling Ace bandages only please!

[Jaybay]

I use my ribcage for patch locations.  Since there's plenty of firm bones underneath and the area isn't hairy, that location works the best for me.  I don't have much trouble with patches falling off unless it's really hot outside and I sweat a lot.  The Nexcare brand bandages work great for that.  Just use a size that is slightly larger than the Fentanyl patch and they'll both stay in place.

Nexcare bandages are available anywhere that sells BandAids and they come in several different sizes.  I'm sold on them and use them for anything calling for a Band Aid.  The Tegaderm material is waterproof but still allows for oxygen exchange which makes for a very comfortable and long-lasting bandage.  Nexcare also makes the larger knee and elbow patches in a sports variety.  Nothing - and I mean NOTHING! - will make those come off until you take them off.  :-)

[Tuckamore]

Hello Yidori,

Always good to hear from you. I don't know which "old post" you are referring to but you can always search our archives. In the Welcome Message I listed a link to an Article on Addiction VS Dependency. I think it is one of the best I have read. I went to the Welcome Message and copied the link for you. Here it is:

Addiction VS Dependency:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/138942/Addiction-VS-Dependency?personal_page_id=14686

You will also find other informative links in the Welcome Message, such as a letter to People without Chronic Pain. One of the most difficult challenges we CP sufferers face is the unwarranted, uneducated, harsh judgement of our family and friends. Addicts indeed!!!

The suicide rate is high in CP patients, especially those that are frustrated and feel defeated because they are unable to live up to the expectations that their loved ones put upon them.... or they are forced to live with unmanaged, irretractable pain. How very sad and so very cruel. I am glad to hear that you are looking at his CP, with more insight.

  
There are "patches" that go over the Fentanyl Patch that keep in both dry and in place., You didn't mention the one that you used. The one that I have never heard of anyone having trouble with is a product made by 3M called Nexcare Tegaderm transparent dressing. His skin needs to be clean, free of the oil our body produces, hairless and dry. Never use alcohol or similar products to clean the skin. Don't be overly concerned with a placing the Patch on a "fatty part" of the body. It's more important is sticks!

I placed them on my very upper back, shoulder area... the area you can just reach over your shoulder and on your back.... and then had my husband place the Tegaderm over it. I even had trouble getting it off as it stuck so well. The "mid-section) tends to perspire more then other areas of the body plus generally secrets more oil.  Unfortunately I am allergic to the adhesive in the Patch itself. I've been told they work best in the upper torso but not near the breast/cardiac area.

Talk to your pharmacist. There are other tapes that can be used... you just don't want something that will greatly heat the area. You can tape all around the patch on the adhesive area. Literature (and my physician) state that your body temp has to exceed at least 102 °F (38.9 °C) in order for there to be dangerous amounts of the drug released. You may shower or bathe with this product in place as long as it is not a prolonged hot bath and the it continues to adhere.

Some manufactures will even provide a Tegaderm like covering if you contact them. They want to keep your business.

There are also a number of medications including, ATBs, herbs and other supplements that should be avoided while you are on the Patch. But I am sure you are aware of that fact.

I am so glad to hear that you are supporting him and understanding his need for pain management. If his pain does not allow him to cut back on his meds, especially when he returns to work I am sure you'll understand that he is dealing with more stress and an increased level of activity thus causes in CP to increase. I don't know what I'd do without the support of my spouse. If my soul mate doesn't understand, how can I expect anyone else to "get it"?

I wish your husband well as he return to employment. Please let us know how he does.

My Best to You Both,
~Tuck