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1407197 tn?1281298051

dose.fentenyl patch's

i have 20 pain  patches,my prescription calls for 2 patches every 3 days,however patches take 12 hrs. to take effect and loose effect the last 12 hrs of the 3 days. what is the doseage schedule to keep effect level for 30 days
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655875 tn?1295695107
When I took fentanyl, I covered it with tagaderm(sp) patches.  I put the patches on my hip area every 48 hrs.

I didn't stay on fentanyl very long(about 6-8 months).  It was one of the most toxic meds I've ever taken and it didn't help like I expected it to.  I was off from 100mcg in 2 months time.  Thank goodness the withdrawal didn't last forever.  I've been off for a year now.

With the patch, I refused any brands that were gel inside.  I didn't want the risks of it.  Sandoz worked the best for me.  People didn't like apotex, but I thought they worked pretty well.  I seriously had better luck with MS Contin, but my stomach had ulcer symptoms from the la oral meds.

Good luck!  I personally will never touch this med again.  The side effects were too much for me, it is a pretty toxic med to put in your body, but some people do very well with it.
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Avatar universal
Sorry, I MEANT to make the above post to you Kellie.  :)  Jayba DEFINITELY knows all of the headaches with the patches and keeping them on.

I wanted to be sure that you read the information that comes WITH the patches about the do's and don'ts that you have to be aware of when using these Fentanyl Patches!!

One of the main ones is to be aware of NOT taking too hot a bath or shower or that can cause too much of the medication to go into your body at once.  IF you use common sense then you WON'T have any problems.  

Please let us know if you have more questions as MANY of us on here have had PLENTY of experience with the patches!!

Sherry

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Avatar universal
Jaybay's right about the different patches.  I based my answer on the Mylan (non-gel patches that are the small ones) Brand.  Which ones are you using?

Jaybay gae you some good info. about the different skin types. All of this plays a part in the picture of things!

Good Luck......Sherry
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82861 tn?1333453911
Not all fentanyl patches are created equally.  I had the same problem with every last gel patch on the market.  I was overmedicated on the 1st day and by the 3rd day I was experiencing mild withdrawal.

The Mylan pharmaceuticals generic looks like a clear piece of tape.  It's smaller than the gel patches and also sticks better.  Of course, everyone has different skin - some oilier, some drier, some sweatier - so results can vary.  The point is to check pharmacies in your area to see who carries what brand and give a different brand a try.  If you can't find any that work reliably, you'll need to talk to your doctor about switching to another medication.
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Avatar universal
Hi Kellie,

I want to welcome you to the Pain Management Forum and let you know that we are glad that you have found this Forum. I need to advise you that there are NO Doctors on this Forum only CP (Chronic Pain) Patients that help each other with their own expertise and experiences with their own pain conditions.

I use the Fentanyl Patches also. I use the 50 mcg and 12 mcg. I change mine every 48 hours as I have an absorption problem with my meds.

I think what you are forgetting that, yes, the  first patch does take awhile to get into your system, BUT once it's in then you don't need to worry about that again. By the time that you change your patch you have PLENTY of Fentanyl in ytour system so that you DON'T have to worry at all about having a laps, there will STILL be PLENTY of medicine left in your body from the FIRST patch so that you will NEVER notice a lapse of any type in the medication.  

I've been on these now for 8 months and they are a God send for keeping me out of pain.  There has NEVER been a time where I felt a lapse in the medication. It is constant. It never wears off and it never gives me more than I'm supposed to have.  There's NO euphoric feeling just a CONSTANT rellief from the terrible debilitating pain.

I hope that you get the same relief that I have gotten from the patches. IF you should ever feel that you aren't getting the pain relief that you should on the 3rd day then you may need to change your patches every 48 hours like I do.  You would need to speak to your Doctor about it. I have discovered that MANY people do have an absorption problem that causes them to have a need to do this.  Most people are able to use it as prescribed for the 72 hours time table. You, of course, MUST talk with your Doctor about this if there is a problem because it will cause you to have a change in your prescription. You would need to have 30 patches instead of just 20.  

How long have you been using the patches?  What strengths are you using?

I wish you the VERY best and hope that you will keep us updated on your progress and how the Patches are working for you!!.......Best of Luck!!.....Sherry
Helpful - 0
172715 tn?1285494490
I hate math sentences, so I'd say call the Pharmacist
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