Question/Comment:

i have trouble with the patch staying on and don't think the effect is working like it did in the begining.i also take percocet i have chronic pain from neck injury and Cymbolta and i dont think it works anymore. i guess my question would be how to keep the patch on?is there anyone out there my age that suffers as much as me and feels like nothing is helping?(Age41)i feel very worthless and hate pain!i also hate to take meds. i fee like some junky but i know i need them i have a lawyer for the neck injury and Lups but even with surgery i wont be the same i will never be able turn to the left all the way.He recommended full disability as for our our income i hope get it but i feel very embarrested to get too.well help me if u can just by talking. thank you

Answer/Reply:

I had this problem with every patch I put on when I first started taking it. As my dose increased the patches got bigger and more uncomfortable. It was gel filled and I was always afraid of it breaking because even though it says to contact the pharmacy right away, you know that with this type of med, you won't be able to get another, like you could receive some other less restricted meds.

For a while we just used a paper tape you get in the first aid aisle. It's called 3M Micropore
and the only thing with this paper tape is that the widest you can get is 2 inches, and that depending on your fentynal patch, that leaves little room on the sides although your patch will stay on much better even if the top and bottom are not taped. This is a breathable tape.

There is one more product, that I found out about when I went through a pain management program, which I also recommend. Even if they can't alleviate any of your pain, they deal with the whole person, body, mind and spirit, and it WILL keep you half sane as opposed to mostly insane lol.
Ok, here is the link to that adhesive patch. I believe it's the same thing they use when they do surgery where you see them place this see through plastic looking thing on someones abdomen. Now, depending on your patch size, you can buy different sizes of this product. I would have needed the next to largest size I found, which is like 5x4 inches, but I would have been able to cut that into 2, to get 2 patch covers out of it. It appeared to be really expensive to get a box of 50 sheets(like $80) BUT, if I looked at the fact that I changed my patch every 3 days, it would last me like 8 months.

Then it didn't look so expensive, especially after dealing with patches that just would NOT stay on. Forget about wearing the fentynal in the shower, which meant no showering except on a patch day, and even then it didn't matter. It was more stressful to deal with that d*mn patch than almost anything else. I perspired horribly for a long time, which is a side effect of the pain. That made getting a patch to stick almost impossible. All of that together made me crazy.

Then, the pain clinic gave me these adhesive dressings patches. OMG!!! YES!!!
They work SO SO well. The stick when they should, in the shower, if you're sweating like crazy, for the full 3 days. They are easy to remove with no problems. The only thing to remember is that they are Very thin, so if as you are peeling off the back, and a corner of it sticks to itself, you won't be able to get it back right without stretching it. That's how you remover it easily and painlessly. You grab a corner pull up a bit, then stretccchhhh it out,
comes right off. Just toss that one and grab a new one. All you have to remember is to take the backing off slooowly, so it doesn't kind of snap and kick back into itself, if that makes sense lol. No residue! other than the fentynal patch's that is. These are also breathable
which is nice.

Now, we checked alot of places to see if they had it on the shelf, and with our local walgreens and they said they could special order them but their price was insane. So, I went to amazon and searched it and came up with a lot of places where I could get it online. I went with a store that I could get the box of 50(savings there) and that had free shipping. I posted my search results page from amazon here so you can look through the different places to buy it.
The nice thing is, you can actually just order one to try it out, see if it works, which it will lol
and then buy a larger box.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Bioclusive

Now, having taken 3 different brands of this type of patch I HIGHLY recommend the Mylan
generic brand. IT's flat, no gel, works as well as the gel types, and even if a higher dose, does not become this huge patch, some of which are very stiff plastic, and some which make your skin break out.
I know exactly how you feel with the hate both the pain and the meds, and that you feel like everyone will think you are a "drug seeker". However, you need to tell you doctor if the dose you are taking is not working. There are other options for pain meds and there are higher doeses
to get the pain relief you need. Ask your doc if you have a pain specialist he can refer you to.
These types of docs work with pain all the time, that's their specialty.
I HIGHLY recommend you get the disability paperwork started YESTERDAY! I don't know if it's just my state or nationwide but even after you are approved in my state, you won't start receiving your checks for 6 months after approval. Believe me, I know everything that is going through your mind and what spins in your brain before you go to sleep. So, get on the financial part so you don't have that to deal with, I didn't and we've gone so far into the hole, it's
unimaginable.

I"m3 and have been dealing with herniated discs and nerve pain for over 4 years. I've been told by more than one neurosurgeon that this is it. There is no fix at this time, although I've been watching a laser thing they're doing in europe, I have a favorites folder labeled SPINE that has 24 different web sites in it. There is everything in there from physical therapy to yoga, accupuncture( going to try that one, my mom will spring for the $$) all different clinics, exercises, doctors. etc. I have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I won't be able to work again, and I'm only 43! That just seems crazy to me. However, there have been some good things that do help with all of the side stuff, like patches that stick like they should, a doc that listens to what I say and is very up to date on chronic pain, and I can be honest with.
That is imperative.

So, my recommendations are,

Determine whether you think you have a doctor you can work with and that you trust.
If you do, good. If you don't the easiest and most diplomatic way is to ask him if there is
a pain specialist you can work with, or if not, at least a Dr that deals with chronic pain.
We know you can't dump your old doc until you find a new one, but, if you do find one that is
knowledgeable in chronic pain, they will be able to review your records, listen to you, and not
make you feel like a drug seeker.
IF you think you want to change to a pain doc, one thing you can do now is ask your present provider for full copies of your medical records. Bring them with you to your first consulation appointment with a prospective new doc. They can look at your record right there, and it will make you feel less like a junkie whose doctor shopping.

Find a pharmacy that carries or will carry for you, at no extra cost, the MYLAN brand of fentynal patch. Ask your doc to put on your prescriptions "Mylan only" They can do that. It is one of the generic brands so it's going to cost less for you, or your insurance or both.

Order and try the Johnson & Johnson Bioclusive transparent dressing that you can place right over your pain patch to make it stay there until you take it off. You will be amazed.

Check and see if there is a Pain Management Program close to you. It's a 16 week commitment, with you going there 4-5 days a week for different things. It's a commitment
but it's worth it. They don't get rid of your pain, they are able to teach you how to live with it,
to improve your quality of life, and they do have ways of doing things that will reduce triggers or things that make your pain worse.

No affiliation with any product I've mentioned in this reply.

Hang in there. I know it's hard, but you can do it. One last thing, I am not sure how long since your diagnoses but you want to get a folder and keep track of all doctors you see, all meds you try (you'd be surprised how many you forget after 2 years etc) This will help when you see specialists and other docs, and will also help with your disability paperwork.

Have a Great Day

Question/Comment:

i have trouble with the patch staying on and don't think the effect is working like it did in the begining.i also take percocet i have chronic pain from neck injury and Cymbolta and i dont think it works anymore. i guess my question would be how to keep the patch on?is there anyone out there my age that suffers as much as me and feels like nothing is helping?(Age41)i feel very worthless and hate pain!i also hate to take meds. i fee like some junky but i know i need them i have a lawyer for the neck injury and Lups but even with surgery i wont be the same i will never be able turn to the left all the way.He recommended full disability as for our our income i hope get it but i feel very embarrested to get too.well help me if u can just by talking. thank you

Question/Comment:

i have trouble with the patch staying on and don't think the effect is working like it did in the begining.i also take percocet i have chronic pain from neck injury and Cymbolta and i dont think it works anymore. i guess my question would be how to keep the patch on?is there anyone out there my age that suffers as much as me and feels like nothing is helping?(Age41)i feel very worthless and hate pain!i also hate to take meds. i fee like some junky but i know i need them i have a lawyer for the neck injury and Lups but even with surgery i wont be the same i will never be able turn to the left all the way.He recommended full disability as for our our income i hope get it but i feel very embarrested to get too.well help me if u can just by talking. thank you

Question/Comment:

The fentanyl patch has been prescribed for my wife recently. The first patch took
some hours -- perhaps eight -- to have an effect. So far both the second and third
patches -- each replacing the prior patch at the 72 hour point -- have not had an
effect for hours. She's had to take Percocet in the interim between the time of
application of the patch and its effect. Is this the normal way that these patches
work? Thanks in advance for your response.

My wife is 76 years old.

Answer/Reply:

I Have also been on the patch for some time and I have found for me the first patch takes the most time to help you it can take up to 12 hours but the next patch you put on will not take that long because when you take of the first patch the drug is in your skin and it takes time for your body to absorb it so by the time your body is running out of the left over drug in your skin from the first patch the new patch is kicking in so aslong as you take them when your supposed to you should not have to wait for relief .
(Luciana)

Answer/Reply:

Being in chronic pain is difficult to begin with yes it does take the first patch a long time to work (something most doctors fail to tell you) I have also found that the patches do not last a full 72 hours this is why my pain management doctor has me changing mine every 48 hours which seems to be helping me out much better then the 72 hour regimine. I do not know about the average pain patient, however I believe that most have to take an oral pain medication as well as the patch to stay out of pain, all I know is about is my case which is I have primary/progressive MS and I am wheelchair bound so I spend my life in pain however my new pain management regament has made life as it is tollerable for the first time in a very long time.

Thank you!
(By the way I have just turned 40 a week ago ans I live alone with the exception of my 4 month old puppy who is in training to be my service dog)

Answer/Reply:

Hi,

Yes, this is the way these patches work. The different dosages peak at different times, meaning that her best day might be day 2 of 3 or day 3, or even day one for some. I don't know what dosage your wife was placed on, but they may have given her a low dose because the thing with this type of narcotic is that you have to be opiod tolerant. Now, in the last year or so, they've actually come up with a very low dose (low for opoids, still strong) of 12 mcg.
If after a week your wife is still having breakthrough pain, have her, or you if she's not able, to call her doc and let them know that her pain is breaking through and it's taking quite a long time for her to feel it's working. They may up her dose, or they may put her on a 48hr changeover instead of the 72 hr.
For me, when I was taking one dose of the patch I peaked on the 2nd day, what I called my good day. When I was upped to the next higher dose, my good day was still day 2 but day 3 was just terrible. That's when he switched me to the 48 hr dose. Much better without hiking the actual amount of medicine. If anyone is interested, you can find online the peak of each dose, and see how quickly the dose subsides to a level that may not cover your pain. I looked that up when the higher dose was not lasting that full 72 hrs. I compared that chart with the lower dose chart and it was all right there. No wonder I was having a terrible day before changing.

I hope this helps, it's not fun to to watch someone you love in pain.
Have a Great Day

Question/Comment:

I have been prescribed every type of fast acting, controled release and transdermal pain therepy medication known to man. I have MMD (myotonic muscular dystrophy) Duragesic has been wonderful for me. I can manage my pain levels enough to where I can play with my kids and maintain a semi-functional lifestyle. I also have to take OxyIR for break through pain relief. My doctor has found that you can change them out every 48 hours instead of 72 hours. This is for people who are tolerant of the drug and know the side effects and risks pertaining to it. Also, all Duragesic users go today and buy yourself a box of Tegaderm. It can be found at any pharmacy. It is the same adhesive used to hold and seal an IV line. (the clear thin plastic put over the IV site itself) It will hold the patch in place until the next patch is replaced. Also, go for the generics that DO NOT contain the gel. This is where people have had the most problems with accidental overdose. There are manufacturers that market the drug into the adhesive. This reduces the risk of damage to the patch itself and potential damage to yourselves. Hope this helps some of you. I was a Nurse/MedTech for 7 years before I fell ill. Please feel free to ask about your medications. I will try to be of some help to you or will help you find the answers you are looking for.

Answer/Reply:

Please DO NOT adjust your dosages based on my doctors findings. You will need to discuss this with your pain management doctor to see if this option is available for you. Trying to "self adjust" dosing can not only lead to a potential ovedose, but can be a contract breaker between your doctors pain contract they have planned out for you. Use your medications as prescribed! This can help limit the need for premature dosage increases and over dependence. Again, I will try to answer any and all questions I can but, rememberthat your doctor must have the final say to maintain your health and safety.