I just put on my second patch today. I put the first one on the back of my shoulder. I put the second one on my upper arm and it doesn't seem to be working as well. The pain is much greater now than with the first one. Does anyone have advice as to the best place to put the patch? Also, can you take them off and relocate them? I'm guessing that they probably won't work after that or won't stick... Thanks for everyone's help.
Fentanyl - The best place to put the patch?
Question posted by tuscaloosy on 19 Oct 2010
Last updated on 1 November 2010
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3 Answers
meggieprice
27 Oct 2010
I asked the same thing back when I started the patch! For me, the best place has been on my chest- up on the harder area above the swelling of the breast- I switch from side to side when I put the new ones on. For one thing, it makes me nervous not to be able to see the patch since I did have one come off without me noticing.
I agree totally about cleaning the area carefully- clean and dry. I take the old patch off and then shower and luxuriate in being able to thoroughly wash and soap my chest since I can't do that with the patch on. I recommend not using a moisturizing soap on that area- you need it to be oil free where you put the patch. After that shower I dry the area thoroughly, make sure it is dry and not oiiy, and then put the patch on. The other thing recommended, and something I think does make a difference, is that after you put it on, you warm the area with the palm of your hand for a minute or so, I think that activates the medication into the skin.
Since I work on my laptop a lot my battery is usually warm so I press it against my patch for 30 seconds ; - P.
I am able to buy the tagaderm covers by the piece at a low price so that if one of my patches does look like it is coming up on the edges I cover it with one. However, I am sensitive to the adhesive in those so only use them if I have to. I swim five days a week and generally do not run in to trouble as long as my patch is carefully applied as above. My suit just
Unfortunately you are right about not being able to re-affix them. You could try with the tagaderm but I doubt the medication will pass properly.
BTW there is probably much more tissue to pass through in your shoulder- that is why I find that area of my chest to work.
Hope this helps!
tuscaloosy
1 Nov 2010
Thanks Meggie for your input! Hope you have a great day!
Nana6xs
20 Oct 2010
Hi tuscaloosy, NO NO NO, Honey don't move that patch... the makers have made it that the adhesive also contains medication in it. If you move it you will loose some of the medication, I know from experience, and as I said before, my husband and I are both on them now. Remember the advice Neison and I gave you before, about the alcohol... now as far as where you put them... it only stands to reason that if you put them on an area of your body that has more "skin, muscle and fat" that it will take longer for the medicine to get into your system. Also, I should have told you this before... if you are using the new "flat" patches, not the ones with the "pouch", you can do the following... {My sister is a Pharmacist, has been for 20 years, and she told me I could do this safely} If you have the "flat ones", NO POUCH, don't take the old one off.
What I am trying to say is, lets say you put your new patch on at 9:PM, leave the old patch on till morning, then remove it. My sister said, and she's right, I looked them over good, that these new flat ones barely have any medicine on them by 72 hours, but if you just take the old one off and put a new one on in a new place you are going to go a few hours with no medication in your system, because it can take a while for your new patch to start working. Since my sister told me to do it this way we are not having any more problems with "touches of withdrawal" which is what my sister told me was happening for a few hours till the new patch "kicked in". Don't worry, you won't get too much medication, because the flat ones are pretty much "shot" by the 3rd day, but don't do this if you have the ones with the pouch of medicine, because they do still have medicine in them and it could hurt you! If you think they work better on your shoulder, then put them there from now on, just switch sides each time. Now as far as the "covers" the other member was talking about... you can buy them, Johnson and Johnson makes them, only they cost around $80.00 for 50 of them and your insurance won't cover them, but if you can afford them they do work great. The company that makes the Duragesic Patch will supply them for free if you are using the brand name patches, they won't if you are using generics. I hope this helps honey... Good Luck
tuscaloosy
20 Oct 2010
Nana, I love this website! Y'all are awesome! I so appreciate all the info. I really think I must be using the "flat" ones. They are SO very thin and certainly don't appear to have any pouch. I did have a period after I put the 2nd patch on when it felt like it was not working at all. So tomorrow when I put the 3rd one on, I will certainly leave the old one on for a while. Thanks again for your help! Hope you have a great day!
midwestma
20 Oct 2010
Hello tuscaloosa,
I tried the Fentanyl patch a long time ago, however due to my latex allergy, I developed blisters and rashes from it, also it made me feel too foggy, and that was only a 25mg patch at the time.
OK, onwards and up... Putting the patch on your body should be well thought out, first everyone has a certain amount of body oils, and this can and does prevent the patch from sticking properly, also, we have hair everywhere, so you need to place it where the least amount of hair is on your body. I would use mild soap and water and wash the area first, and pat it dry..that will remove any excessive body oil, and give you a clean area to apply the patch on then, give it a few minutes to dry sufficient enough to stick. Secondly, you can go to your local pharmacy and get a box of cover patches.
These are just like the hospital uses when they put an IV in our arm and the translucent covering they put over the needle site, it first of all holds it in place prevents it from getting wet when you shower or bathe, and sweating also can be a problem, so putting this over the patch itself works wonders. I've heard people using the back, shoulder blade, upper arms, etc. Never shave though, it will cause a bad reaction rashes, or it also may cause your body to introduce too much of the medication at one time, that will not be good either.
I have heard of people moving the patch to different place, and if that becomes necessary, the cover patch I talked about will also take care of that problem if it no longer stays in place. If the pharmacy does not stock the cover patches, they will order them for you also. OK... I hope this helps a little. You have a great night, Good luck I hope you are soon out of pain.
I have heard of people moving the patch to different place, and if that becomes necessary, the cover patch I talked about will also take care of that problem if it no longer stays in place. If the pharmacy does not stock the cover patches, they will order them for you also. OK... I hope this helps a little. You have a great night, Good luck I hope you are soon out of pain.
tuscaloosy
20 Oct 2010
Hi Ma! Yes, this info helps alot. I am trying to learn as much as I can because I really want this patch to work. I am so very tired of taking so many pills each day.
I am also just learning this website. I have added you as a friend and read your profile. Please feel free to message me anytime you would like to chat. My status is still "beginner" and I don't think I can enter any personnal info yet. Thanks again and I hope you have a great day with a little pain as possible.
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