Questions about Fentanyl Patches

[FrancesScarlett]

I have chronic joint and back pain. My joint pain in my arms (elbows) and my knees has gotten worse. I had a nasty fall about 2 months ago that has aggravated it. I have been taking 5-300 of Vicodin about 4 a day and 350 mg of Soma about 4-6 a day for over 2 years. At my last Doctors visit on Friday he decided instead of increasing the amount of Vicodin to put me on a round the clock pain killer Fentynol Patches starting out at 12 mcg just to see if I can handle it because I am allergic to Tramadol and Darvacet and Oxycodone so far no allergic reactions. He wrote the prescription for 10 patches I have been through 6 I can not seem to make them stick the longest so far was 16 hours and came off in my sleep last night  today I finally got 1 on my right upper arm to stick and stay it has only been on a couple of hours.
QUESTIONS ....
How the hell do I get them to stick?
How long does til it takes affect?
How can I tell tell if it is working some of my pain has decreased some has not and I really have felt nothing I was expecting to feel a little high?
Where are the best places to put it?
I am nervous after reading about this medication due to the other medications (Seroquel, Imipramine, Savella, Hydroxyzine, Omeprazole, Simvastatin, Ambien, Lorazepam, Furosimide, Meloxicam, Soma, Vicodin - being replaced with Fentanyl Patches) I take even though my Doc says it's fine. It just seems like every other word describing this med was "Fatal" I had a friend accidentally OD because he mixed the wrong medications (not Fentanyl) his Doc gave him he took them went sleep and never woke up. They were Xanax and another one that slowed his breathing can't remember what it was. I have never taken Fentanyl before and it slows your breathing along with several others I take. I took them all last night with the patch on but it was the first night I am just a bit concerned I will talk with my Doc on Monday when I call about the fact that I can not get them to stay on. Just want to here from some people who actually take it.
I guess that is it for now any help would be appreciated

Any other info you want about me and my "issues" are in my profile :)

[FrancesScarlett]

Okay new question - what type of tegederm patches do I get apparently there are different kinds??????

[FrancesScarlett]

Thanks everyone I have a call into my doctor had not thought that he will not be able to give me a higher dose now because I already got a months worth and this is apparently a very very watched controlled substance. I do not have any Vicodin at the moment for the breakthrough pain can not get a refill until the 19th so I will just have to suffer until then.
The last patch I put on my upper arm has stayed on for 2 days now I shaved a bunch of different areas for the next patch I sort of feel it kick in every few hours. Will wait and see what the Doc says but I am sure that the next prescription will have to be a higher dose I am on the 12 which is the lowest one and it is not taking my pain away at all! Ugh!

[CleanNfree2]

I was on them for 7 years. Make sure the area is very dry and hair free but don't shave it. Once you have it on cup your hand over it and leave it tight very tight for atleast 15 mins. That always sealed my so good it was hard to get them off 2-3 days later. Good luck. My best advice is stick with Vics those patches are from HELL. I am so glad to be off them.

Respectfully

Steven

[Jax007]

Sorry shinty meant to post this to frances :)

[Jax007]

Hi there. I been using the patches for ten years plus and getting them to stick can be a pain. I put my patches on one the underneath part my breast. My bra holds it snugly in place. I have tried using a plaster (of many sorts) but found they either stuck fast and were hard to get off or caused an allergic reaction. I only put one on every 72 hrs and if one patch does fall off do not put the patch in the same place this also goes putting a new patch on. They take roughly 12hrs to work but do not expect miracles I still get pain break through and have different meds to help with that. As you are on a high dose I would not recommend that you put more than one on at a time especially if you have not been using them that long as the patches take upto twelve hrs and once in your system cannot be removed you also might feel giddy,sick and totally out of it you can also over dose on them so please be careful. So PLEASE go by the directions on the box or by your Drs directions. You might also feel slight itching on or around the patch but this is normal it just means the patch is working ok,
Hope this helps wishing you best wishes

[shinty]

Sorry I forgot your other question:    I put my patches on the upper part of my butt cheeks, on my arm (just over the bicep), on the top of my thighs. I always shaved my upper thighs before applying. I recommend shaving anywhere you happen to apply the patch though. I never put the patch on the same place 2 times in a row either (this is just my preference I guess, but I think it makes sense). Everyones body is different, and each patch strength and the corresponding size of the patch is different also. The patches I was using were the largest I think at 150 mcg., and I had to put on 2 of them at a time.
  shinty

[shinty]

I used to be on the patches also and had the same problem- especially during the summer months, due to increased sweating. There is an adhesive called tegaderm that you can purchase. It's the same adhesive hospitals use to keep patient's IV's from falling off/out. it's a clear adhesive that can be applied right over the patch and should help you out with the "falling off" problem. they are a bit expensive, but worth every penny IMHO. It's funny that i just found a bunch of them, and you are welcome to them. Send me a message with your address and I'll mail them to you. You can find them at a good pharmacy but I would call first and ask a pharmacist, as they may have something similar, but under a different name. It's up to you if you want my leftovers or not, and also to give your address to me. if you do make sure to send it to my inbox, and not on here, as many people will see it and that's not necessary.
                shinty