fentanyl patches

[Guest guest]

Karyn wrote:

> I had this conversation with a Janseen rep once, and their take on this is

that there is no

way for the Fentanyl to be delivered at alternating or various rates of flow,

when applied

properly. Key words: applied properly.

>The Fentanyl Patch is flattened when there is no more medication inside.

> I found that even with the use of the bio-occlusive covers that Janseen

provides, when

these are applied in a particular way, it can secure the patch onto the skin,

but it causes

the patch to 'buckle and 'pooch' (snip) What I do to get every single drop of

medicine out

of my patches is apply them to my shins and the sides of my lower legs. >

Karyn and others,

I agree that there may be more consistent flow of medication if the patch is

applied to the

shins. I do that in the winter, but from May to October at least, here in the

South we live

in shorts, bathing suits, or clothing that exposes our legs and arms. With

average

temperatures in the high 80's and 90's, you won't see anyone wearing socks or

long pants

unless they're at church or a funeral.(smile) Additionallly, in a discussion

with a Janssen

representative, I was told that the patches were supposed to be applied " above

the

waistline " to be most effective. Following their instructions, I wear the patch

on my back,

just below the bra line, during the summer. I'm skinny enough there that it is

flat and the

outer adhesive film doesn't pooch, and I do find the patch to be flat and out of

medication

when I take it off after two days.

It makes me wonder if the sweating and perspiration that we have during those

steaming,

humid days of summer may have some effect on our absorbtion levels. I don't

have to

change the patch as frequently during the cooler winter months. I read in the

duragesic

website that the residual effects of the patch can last up to 17 hours after

it's taken off,

yet during the summer, I go into withdrawal symptoms (as mentioned in an earlier

post)

within 10 hours after I've removed the patch. Could it be that the high

temperatures and

perspiration have an effect on our absorption levels?

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Rep., PAI

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

should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I used the patches when I was in the hospital in March and they sent me

home with a box of them and I read the insert that they include in

there. I vaguely remember it saying something about perperation

(sweating) affected the patches some how. I don't remember what it said,

but it was mentioned. So, you might want to take out the insert Jannsen

includes in the boxes with the patches and read it thoroughly because I

don't remember if it was in fine print or not. It may or may not be what

you were looking for, but worth a shot in reading the information. I

always read the inserts of any medication I get before I use it. I

could't find the box (with one patch left) that I have somewhere in my

bedroom or I'd have looked it up for you.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

, I think it's 25mcg, if that's the lowest dose. I change it every 3 days. The pain relief is enough for me to be home, rather than on IV Dilaudid, but not enough to let me function halfway normally. I don't want to ask him to increase the dose since I'm already feeling fuzzy on it. I haven't had any percocet in 24 hrs. because I wanted to see if that was causing more problems, but the only difference I've noticed is more pain. So I'm going to go back to taking the percocet once or twice a day. Ginny uses a pretty high dose patch, plus the lollipops, vicadin, klonopin, and more--can't remember what all. Well, TIODAAT--take it one day at a time. I think I'm going to miss another lip reading class tomorrow. I'm leery of driving that far (nearly an hour each day) & Theresa can't take me because she has an appointment.

Ramblin' RoseModerator "I child-proofed my home and they STILL get in!" (Bumper sticker)

To: Neurosarcoidosis From: rkelty99@...Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:43:29 -0700Subject: Re: Rose

As Rose knows, I have been on the Fentanyl patches on and off for ten years now. I have only had trouble once -- it was with one of those pillow types (the other kind being like a nicotene patch and barely visible). I had to go to the hospital from overdose. Luckily I thought to take the darn thing off on my way to the ER. I HIGHLY recommend you get the newer type where you can't see the medication as it is in the adhesive.

What dose did they put you on, Rose? I have been up to 200 mcg every other day, but am now at 100. I think they start you out at either 25 or 50 a day. If things get really bad they can put you on 100 every day. Again, in ten years I've only had the one incident. I know Ginny uses the lollipops, but they can get you really high very quickly. The patches aren't usually noticeable, I think you only know you are wearing them from the pain relief. I don't even remember them making me any more sleepy -- but it has been many years since I started them.

I hope they are giving you the pain relief you need. I know they really are a great help to me.

To: Neurosarcoidosis Sent: Sun, March 20, 2011 12:56:13 AMSubject: Re: Rose

Rose would showering be safer with the patches. Those patches are good from what I hear, but they tend to be a little dangerous if not handled with care. I know you have enough medical knowledge in one little finger to fill 2 or 3 heads, but I just don't want you to get hurt. c

To: neurosarcoidosis Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 5:30:57 PMSubject: Rose

Hi, guys! I came home Tuesday. The epidural injection helped a little. With pain patches, muscle relaxants & pain pills as needed, I'm able to get by. But I can only tolerate standing or walking for 5-10 min. I am very afraid of another episode like last week's. That was absolutely the worst pain I've ever had. I'm having more pain than when I went to the doctor last week, even with all the medication. So I'm still going to get a surgical consult, to see if that is even an option. Meanwhile, I'm using heat & stretching exercises. I'm not supposed to take hot baths because that can cause the pain patch to release more medication than it's supposed to, so I'm turning the temp on my hot tub down to about 90. That should be warm enough to help relieve the pain without messing with the patch. But the good thing about it is that I'm not noticing the neuropathic pain in my feet as much! This leg pain is so much worse. Anyway, that's enough whining & complaining for now. I'm going to start on the piled up email, but from about 2-3 days ago until I get current, then keep going back until I've got most of it. So some of my replies may not seem timely. I want to thank everyone who has stepped in & stepped up, moderators & members both! As for all the birthdays, I apologize for the late greetings. I hope everyone had an enjoyable day, with some respite from pain & depression.

Ramblin' RoseModerator "I child-proofed my home and they STILL get in!" (Bumper sticker)

[Guest guest]

Rose, please be very careful.. I had problems falling asleep at the wheel back last fall, and I woke up one day on the wrong side of the road and heading toward about 3 cars that had stopped and were bracing for the impact..

Hugs,

Rose Hi, guys! I came home Tuesday. The epidural injection helped a little. With pain patches, muscle relaxants & pain pills as needed, I'm able to get by. But I can only tolerate standing or walking for 5-10 min. I am very afraid of another episode like last week's. That was absolutely the worst pain I've ever had. I'm having more pain than when I went to the doctor last week, even with all the medication. So I'm still going to get a surgical consult, to see if that is even an option. Meanwhile, I'm using heat & stretching exercises. I'm not supposed to take hot baths because that can cause the pain patch to release more medication than it's supposed to, so I'm turning the temp on my hot tub down to about 90. That should be warm enough to help relieve the pain without messing with the patch. But the good thing about it is that I'm not noticing the neuropathic pain in my feet as much! This leg pain is so much worse. Anyway, that's enough whining & complaining for now. I'm going to start on the piled up email, but from about 2-3 days ago until I get current, then keep going back until I've got most of it. So some of my replies may not seem timely. I want to thank everyone who has stepped in & stepped up, moderators & members both! As for all the birthdays, I apologize for the late greetings. I hope everyone had an enjoyable day, with some respite from pain & depression.

Ramblin' RoseModerator "I child-proofed my home and they STILL get in!" (Bumper sticker)

[Guest guest]

I hear you, sister. I've only been out once since I got home 5 days ago. I took a pain pill yesterday morning, hoping it would help enough for me to go to the store, but then I felt too sleepy. I'm going to get Theresa to drive me to WalMart tomorrow.

Ramblin' RoseModerator "I child-proofed my home and they STILL get in!" (Bumper sticker)

To: Neurosarcoidosis From: topdat1@...Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:38:44 -0500Subject: Re: fentanyl patches

Rose, please be very careful.. I had problems falling asleep at the wheel back last fall, and I woke up one day on the wrong side of the road and heading toward about 3 cars that had stopped and were bracing for the impact..

Hugs,

Rose Hi, guys! I came home Tuesday. The epidural injection helped a little. With pain patches, muscle relaxants & pain pills as needed, I'm able to get by. But I can only tolerate standing or walking for 5-10 min. I am very afraid of another episode like last week's. That was absolutely the worst pain I've ever had. I'm having more pain than when I went to the doctor last week, even with all the medication. So I'm still going to get a surgical consult, to see if that is even an option. Meanwhile, I'm using heat & stretching exercises. I'm not supposed to take hot baths because that can cause the pain patch to release more medication than it's supposed to, so I'm turning the temp on my hot tub down to about 90. That should be warm enough to help relieve the pain without messing with the patch. But the good thing about it is that I'm not noticing the neuropathic pain in my feet as much! This leg pain is so much worse. Anyway, that's enough whining & complaining for now. I'm going to start on the piled up email, but from about 2-3 days ago until I get current, then keep going back until I've got most of it. So some of my replies may not seem timely. I want to thank everyone who has stepped in & stepped up, moderators & members both! As for all the birthdays, I apologize for the late greetings. I hope everyone had an enjoyable day, with some respite from pain & depression.

Ramblin' RoseModerator "I child-proofed my home and they STILL get in!" (Bumper sticker)