Re: Duragesic Patch to

[Guest guest]

,

The typical starting dose of the duragesic patch is 25 mgs. Patients can be

upgraded to a higher dosage after the initial dose is established if 25 mgs.

doesn't provide enough relief. I started on the 25 mg. patch and wore that

with successful pain control for about ten months. Once on the 50 mg. patch,

that dosage was effective for approximately six months, and then I switched to

a 75 mg. patch. I did discover that the relief was subsiding near the end of 48

hours, though, and my doctor changed my dosing cycle to change the patch

every 48 hours instead of every 72, and this made a considerable difference.

I'm presently attempting to slowly lower the dosage of my patch back down to

50 mgs. again, with the hope of getting down even lower with time and good

health. My Pain Management doctor agreed to help me with this, since I have

been feeling so much better most times and would like to try to reduce my

narcotic intake as much as possible. If I can get down to a minimum level of

narcotics in my body, I figure I'll be much better off, and will also have more

to

work with should I need to increase the strength again.

If you call Janssen at the number listed on the back of the duragesic patch

box, they will gladly send you free Bioclusive film patches that you apply over

the duragesic patch. This additional patch will keep the duragesic patch from

coming loose when you perspire, and will also protect the patch even further

from the effects of soap and water. The patches cannot be reapplied after the

first application, so use of the Bioclusive is very helpful during hot, humid

days

and for someone who showers frequently. I found that mine would come

loose when swimming or working outside in all our humidity, thereby

rendering the patch useless....which was unacceptable when you're limited to

a certain number each month. The representative at Janssen reminded me

that it was important to apply firm pressure to the patch for at least 30

seconds

when I first applied it. She also told me that the patches were more effective

if

worn above waist level. I had been wearing them on my legs during the

winter, but have found that they seem to last longer if I apply them above the

waist, so I rotate them to different locations on my back now.

Once the initial dose has been absorbed into the skin during the first 12-18

hours, you should have good coverage. The effects of the medication can

stay in your body for up to 17 hours after the patch has been removed....this is

supposed to help you in case there is any lag between the time you remove

one and reapply another.

All in all, I've found that the duragesic patch has been the most effective type

of narcotic pain medication for me. I've tried Oxycontin, MS Contin, Oxycontin

IR, Morphine, Dilaudid, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Percocet and Lortab, and

still prefer the duragesic for long term continuous pain relief. I take

Oxycodone 5 mg. for breakthrough. Since the reduction in the dosage of the

duragesic I've had to double the amount of Oxycodone that I take, sometimes

up to six pills a day, so I don't know if this experiment of mine to reduce the

duragesic dosage is really going to work. It seems I'm trading one drug for

another, so to speak. Only time will tell whether this will work or not.

If you have any other questions about the patch, please don't hesitate to ask.

They were a life saver for me initially, I was taking up to 80 mgs. of Percocet

at

the time that I started on the duragesic, and still not getting any relief, so

having the continual relief from the patch was, and still is, very successful.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a qualified medical

professional.