Aa
the fentenyl patch
Can anyone explain to me why it takes so long for the fentenyl to hit you after you have been out in the sun. Everyone is having trouble beliveing me about the patch giving me 2 much medicine at once because I dident realize it was happening till the next day and I was driving and wrecked my truck. I hit a pole so everyone is Ok but now no one trusts me to drive?? Is this just one more thing that will be taken away because of the pain?? Help!
charliebrown
charliebrown
I would also have to agree with the others about driving. At this point, it's probably not a good idea. It varies from state to state as to whether it's legal to drive while on narcotics. Where I am, it is technically legal. However, I believe if you were involved in an accident and you tested positive for a narcotic, you could have a very difficult time legally proving that you were okay. Everyone's tolerance is different. It is the same as drunk driving (which is why it's now called OUI instead of DUI.) I was told by all of my doctors it was okay to drive as long as I felt okay. But I personally don't. I just think that even if we think we feel okay our reflexes just aren't what they would be on zero narcotics. It can be very inconvenient. I try to plan things out with my kids but a lot of times they have to get a ride from someone or walk. It's just not worth the risk.
I'm not quite sure why you didn't notice the effects of too much Fentanyl being rleased until 24 hours after you had been in the sun, however, I have a couple of ideas/questions:
1) Did you by any chance change your patch the day after you had been out in the sun? My thinking with this question is that if you had, perhaps the patch you had on while you were in the sun was at its "end" and therefore you possibly didn't get as much of an increase in medication as you would have had it been a "new" patch - however, then when you put on the new one, the cumulative effect took over. This could especially be true if you did put on a new patch and the area you put it on had ANY sunburn at all (therefore making the skin itself more sensitive and warm)
2) Did you have any fever either the day you were in the sun or the day after? Even a smaller rise in your own body temp than what they typically say as a danger point (about 102 like Tuck said), coupled with being in the sun, could possibly have made even more medication to be released that morning you got in the accident.
3) How did they determine that too much fentanyl was the cause of your accident?
I'm also very glad that nobody was hurt in the accident, however, I really have to agree with your family that at this point it is really not safe for you to be driving - both for yourself as well as everyone else on the roads. As Tuck mentioned, driving on a prescribed narcotic is just as dangerous and illegal as driving drunk. And especially in this case, since you don't know exactly what caused the extra medication to be released so long after your exposure to the sun. Most definitely better to be safe than sorry and not get behind the wheel, even if it means a loss of some independence.
Please do keep us posted on what you find out.
1) Did you by any chance change your patch the day after you had been out in the sun? My thinking with this question is that if you had, perhaps the patch you had on while you were in the sun was at its "end" and therefore you possibly didn't get as much of an increase in medication as you would have had it been a "new" patch - however, then when you put on the new one, the cumulative effect took over. This could especially be true if you did put on a new patch and the area you put it on had ANY sunburn at all (therefore making the skin itself more sensitive and warm)
2) Did you have any fever either the day you were in the sun or the day after? Even a smaller rise in your own body temp than what they typically say as a danger point (about 102 like Tuck said), coupled with being in the sun, could possibly have made even more medication to be released that morning you got in the accident.
3) How did they determine that too much fentanyl was the cause of your accident?
I'm also very glad that nobody was hurt in the accident, however, I really have to agree with your family that at this point it is really not safe for you to be driving - both for yourself as well as everyone else on the roads. As Tuck mentioned, driving on a prescribed narcotic is just as dangerous and illegal as driving drunk. And especially in this case, since you don't know exactly what caused the extra medication to be released so long after your exposure to the sun. Most definitely better to be safe than sorry and not get behind the wheel, even if it means a loss of some independence.
Please do keep us posted on what you find out.
Thankfully no one was injured. That's the good news.
It's strange that it took until the next day for the effects of a possible increase of released Fentanyl to exhibit symptoms. How long were you in the sun? A mere 15-20 minutes should have been a huge issues as it takes a while for the temperature to affect the release.
I am far from an expert but to my understanding that release should have been sooner then 20-24 hours. Obviously it takes time for your body to absorb the medication into your system. An hour, three hours, even ten hours before it peaks but 20-24 hours seems like a long time for you to note the effects. It will also remain in your system for several hours and actually increase a bit even once you are out of the sun but the increased release should gradually decline once you begin cooling.... that's the release I am talking about not the effects on the medication.
Heat effects the Patch. There are no ways around this. I've read two temperatures that must be reached before the Patch begins to release more medication then it is designed to release. A body temp of over 102 is the lowest and several other articles said 103.8. I'd go with the 102. Be safe an avoid over heating.... in or out of the sun. If it's hot outside and you're in the shade you still need to be concerned with your body temperature.
My jacuzzi is set at 100 degrees. When I was on the Patch I could safely sit in that jacuzzi but I always checked the temp before and during the time I was in it. It's just common sense. I also initially checked my body temperature to make sure it was not elevating. Invest in a good temperature gauge so you know how hot you like your water. And never let the water hit the Patch. As Mellie suggested discuss this with your physician. He's the expert.
As far as driving while on opiates it is illegal.... plain and simple, at least in my state. If you are drug tested you will probably receive an OUI (Operating Under the influence). It doesn't matter to the law if it's a legally prescribed opiate or a few beers! Driving under the Influence is illegal. Will you lose your licenses? It depends on the laws of your state. In my state it is viewed the same as a "drunk driving" ticket. So check your state laws.
To be honest I don't want anyone on the highways I drive if their driving skills are effected by opiates. It makes us no better then a irresponsible drunk driver that takes lives. We would feel terrible if our opiate requirements took a life.
Good luck and please be cautious.
~Tuck
It's strange that it took until the next day for the effects of a possible increase of released Fentanyl to exhibit symptoms. How long were you in the sun? A mere 15-20 minutes should have been a huge issues as it takes a while for the temperature to affect the release.
I am far from an expert but to my understanding that release should have been sooner then 20-24 hours. Obviously it takes time for your body to absorb the medication into your system. An hour, three hours, even ten hours before it peaks but 20-24 hours seems like a long time for you to note the effects. It will also remain in your system for several hours and actually increase a bit even once you are out of the sun but the increased release should gradually decline once you begin cooling.... that's the release I am talking about not the effects on the medication.
Heat effects the Patch. There are no ways around this. I've read two temperatures that must be reached before the Patch begins to release more medication then it is designed to release. A body temp of over 102 is the lowest and several other articles said 103.8. I'd go with the 102. Be safe an avoid over heating.... in or out of the sun. If it's hot outside and you're in the shade you still need to be concerned with your body temperature.
My jacuzzi is set at 100 degrees. When I was on the Patch I could safely sit in that jacuzzi but I always checked the temp before and during the time I was in it. It's just common sense. I also initially checked my body temperature to make sure it was not elevating. Invest in a good temperature gauge so you know how hot you like your water. And never let the water hit the Patch. As Mellie suggested discuss this with your physician. He's the expert.
As far as driving while on opiates it is illegal.... plain and simple, at least in my state. If you are drug tested you will probably receive an OUI (Operating Under the influence). It doesn't matter to the law if it's a legally prescribed opiate or a few beers! Driving under the Influence is illegal. Will you lose your licenses? It depends on the laws of your state. In my state it is viewed the same as a "drunk driving" ticket. So check your state laws.
To be honest I don't want anyone on the highways I drive if their driving skills are effected by opiates. It makes us no better then a irresponsible drunk driver that takes lives. We would feel terrible if our opiate requirements took a life.
Good luck and please be cautious.
~Tuck
I'm glad no one is hurt!!!! I don't know why it would take so long but I do know heat can cause the patch too release too much medicine. Maybe it just took that long for it to get to that high of a level for you. I know you have to be VERY careful with heat and the patch ... even a fever can be dangerous or a hot tub. Were you sitting in direct heat for a long period of time? I think it's important for you to talk to your doctor about this so this won't happen again. It could have had a worse outcome, where you actually overdosed and had it affect your breathing!! Be careful. Hope you let us know what the doctor says.
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