I am interested in finding out if anyone who is prescribed fentaynl patches or duregesic patches is prescribed dose 50 mcg up to be changed 1 every day or 1 patch every two days.
thank you.

I can't answer that personally, but I do know someone in my support group who uses two patches at a time, and ladders the rotation on alternate days. This is done with the knowledge and approval of this person's doctor.

Doc

I've been using that dose of patch for a couple of years. What type of pain is yours for? Mine is RSD/Peripheral neuropathy. For me they are what makes or breaks me and I'm barely hanging on to my job because of them. I hate that I have to depend on them, but yet I'm very grateful that they exist. No popping pills, and the pain flares are much easier to handle.

Rae

What side effects are the patches having? I am on 25 mcg to start. I am just curious how you feel with the 50.

Thanks
Nikki

When I first started on the patch, I was very drowsy. But it sure was a welcome relief - anything to take me away from the horrid pain.
Constipation can be an issue with opioids, but Magnesium does the trick for me.
Otherwise, there really wasn't anything to speak of with s/e
I had become very opioid tolerant with all the different meds my pain specialist and I tried, so there really wasn't much to adjust to in my case.

Just be aware of the dangers involved such as getting overheated. Shy away from hottubs and heating pads.

I hope they bring you good pain relief. They've sure helped me!

Caring,
Rae

I was on Fentaynl patches for 6 yrs. DO NOT change them daily..thats dangerous. They are 72 hr patches. Change every 3 days

use as directed, may be other than every three days....have seen every other day

hubby does keep them on until he does not see any other medicine in the patch but it is dangerous. No-one says anything about how to keep them on. His keeps falling off which gives him an excuse to put on another one. How in the world do you get them to stay on? Osto-bond or Tegaderm or Torbot Skin? Which is best and I guess Amazon is where I would have to get it cause i went to every place in my tiny town and they do not have it. Any suggestions besides what I have already tried which is every tape known to man that Walmart sells that i can pick up right away? Have not tried duck tape yet and i know a hair dryer is bad(read the other forums online) Thank you and God Bless

Hi there,

Call the manufacturer of the patch to see if they provide overlays like tegaderm for free to use to keep the patches on. Some manufacturers like mylan actually do provide them. Otherwise, I can refer you to a place mylan referred me to while they had a shortage. I have comparison shopped, as I used overlays before mylan provided them, Mercy Surgical Dressing Group at 888-637-2912. You want to speak with Sherri who was at extension 202 before they changed phone systems.

They carry tegaderm as well as the ones I buy which cost less. They are called Hydrofilm and made by Hartmann. Sherri is a pro and will be able to take care of you for your husband's needs. I use the 4x5 inch overlay as I wear 4 separate 100mcg patches. They come smaller however. You will never have a problem with patches falling off if you use these. Also, your husband places the patch in an area where he has no hair or shaves the area, doesn't he? if not, this may be part of the problem.

As far as changing the patches more often than every 72 hours or 3 days, I can say for certainty, it is to your disadvantage to change them daily based on when the fentanyl dosage peaks. It makes no sense to do so, nor should you need to. However, there have been times where my dose has been different, but I changed the patches every other day, but this was under a doctor's order. In cases with certain climates (warmer usually) or with certain skin types, one may find the patch wears off too quickly and needs to be changed every 48 hours or 2 days. But, you must discuss the matter with your doctor first.

Best of luck to you all. If anyone else has questions about the patches, feel free to ask as I have been on a fentanyl patch for ten years now. Take care and be well.

Sincerely,
Callie Sloane

In all your years of being on the patch, have you run into any problems maintaining your prescription? My pain specialist is on the brink of retiring and I'm a bit concerned that I might have difficulty getting the patches once he's gone. Hopefully, whoever takes his place will realize how much I rely on these things. It's the only reason I'm able to keep my office job.

Thanks
Rae