I have been on the flector patch for 3 weeks now....wasnt really doing much for me........they r telling me i have tennis elbow.been since august 2008.........the dr decided to try this patch cause all the meds i was taking was messing up my stomach.....well all i can say is i rather have a messed up stomach then go thur what i have been going thur these last 4 days......it started 4 days ago....was very light headed........dizzy......actually seeing stars ,which kind of freaked me out cause i have never been thur that before..........then my arm had such a burning feeling......felt like my whole arm was on fire.........from my wrist to my shoulder........after 2 days of feeling like that i no longer put another patch on.........i waited til yesterday to call my dr..........cause i couldnt even get out of bed.........my wrist to my shoulder hurt so bad.......i couldnt even lift anything ......let alone drive to work......today the dr calls me back telling me to stop the patch....that i have had a reaction to the patch....and still today i cant lift my arm......feels like someone is holding a match to my arm and its on fire......just checking to see if anyone has had this side effect....wondering ;-)

I am on my third day of Flector, and found this forum. Thanks everyone for all of your helpful suggestions. It is amazing to me how everyone has to stumble through this process as individuals, repeating the same problems/mistakes. I am a registered nurse, so I have seen many patients who have been dealing with chronic pain. I myself have struggled with it since Vioxx was withdrawn.

This was my first experience with this patch, though I have seen Voltaren used in tablet form (same drug as Flector). I wanted to make a suggestion, some had mentioned poor adhesive properties. I have been planning my showers around the patch dosing to avoid the moisture problem. I do think when I am feeling better that working out at the gym could be a problem. For now they stick on me for 12 hours. I do want to say that some of the tapes are not recommended on transdermal patches, and the adhesive may degrade the gelatin. I would try a large moleskin patch (in the footcare section at Walgreens), if it's okay by the manufacturer.

Moleskin is felt with adhesive, and it comes in a large roll which will cover the entire Flector patch (you can also buy rolls online). The adhesive stayed on the bottom of my feet all day when I used it for a wart it works better than anything I've seen for curved areas. If you are using tape and the entire patch isn't in contact with your skin you are not getting the stated dosage anyway.

Also, my pain is neurogenic and deep, I am planning on an epidural after my surgeon clears it. I am not having a great response to the Flector probably because of how deep my pain is. That being said, I am having some relief superficially. I also am taking some Flexeril, and the combo is better than oral NSAIDS. As you all well know there is a neuro and muscular component to back pain.

What facinates me is that my prescription plan (Anthem BCBS) won't cover Lyrica, as it isn't labeled for lumbar pain. They made me jump through hoops to get to it. So far this month I've been given two full rx for neurontin, due to dosage changes 100, 300 respectively, and now Flector at $360/60 patches. I am amazed at the lengths insurance will go, as it would have been more cost-effective to just approve the Lyrica. Unfortunately I used the samples up so I know it works for me. I cannot afford to pay in addition $250 OOP every month for 1 Rx.

There is also a coated (with Prilosec I believe) Voltaren pill that's supposed to help with the GI stuff. It does block the absorption of calcium however. It is not yet generic (probably raking in too much dough). I have not taken it but my PM&R doc swears by it.

Just an option. Good luck.

After having a good run with Flector, I had to stop using - developed a rash at site.

I was SO bummed, I can't even tell you. Tried a pill version of same med, but did not do the job and tore my stomach to shreds. Odd huh? such a diff...

I did not have a big prob keeping my patch on, maybe where I put it - just below neck, on shoulders - was one of the easier spots for it to stick. And maybe it was the right med for the type of pain.


Okay, I just need a wee rant here, after reading about all the vicodin, and fentanyl and what all....


My thing is, I have done 3 pain clinics (and counting!) 4 neuros and this is the kind of stuff I get. Excuse me if I sound bitter. Nobody prescribes me REAL pain meds.


What am I, chopped liver?

I did the ESIs and all that till I had vagal responses and my cardiologist about slapped me, and told me NO MORE of that. I've tried all the off label stuff too - all the AD's, the anti seizure meds ad nauseum. They do NOT work.

I do NOT work either. I have been laying around like a lump since I was 39, now 46, because why? Because it hurts, I have a neck injury, SM, and either fibro or ms and my pain does not count. I guess I don't whine enough when I'm at the docs or something. Or I look too good.

Those so called docs should have to gimp a mile in my shoes - it would take a month.

But enough whining.

I have been using Flector for a few months now. I do have to say it has helped for awhile with the pain and numbness that travels from low back into both hips down my legs to my feet. I don't have a final diagnosis yet for a L and T Spine injury from nine months ago. I had been taking Celebrex but it bloated me SO horribly I couldn't button my pants and could hardly move... the minor help that gave me was not worth that side affect. The Flector patch does seem to be losing it's effectiveness... but my doctor is not prescribing some heavier duty meds now that it's been so long and my pain has only increased and spread....
It's great to hear everyone's opinions and experiences...

well thanks to all about your feedback , I have been debating on whether to try or not . I will put one on tonight . I just cant stand the ringing in the ear side effect as I have it already and dont need more music to my ears. Thanks

hi i am new here and also new to using the flector patch. i have plantar fascitis (may be spelled wrong) pulled the tendon in bottom of foot. this happened in march. i have had 3 steroid injections and doing phsyical therapy. i have 1 more injection left and we are saving this one in case i have a reaccurance. i was presrcibed the patch today 08-12-2009. the patch wont stay on my foot i am going to try and sleep with it tonight. i cant take oral nsaids cause i get sick to my stomache. i hope this helps get my foot back to somewhat normal. i havent been walking much on my foot, i have gained about 20lbs now because i cant move around and those shots put 5lbs on for each shot. this is a workmans comp claim so i dont have to pay for these patches. i still am going to workbut i have to sit there and i have a very physical job. all i can do is keep posting my progress and read all of yours and see what happens. my last resort is an operation to release the tendon.

Flector isn't going to help much with plantar fasciitis. The only two things that really help are stretching exercises (basically for the rest of your life) and special silicone heel cups (the brand is Bauerfeind and you can get them on amazon - select Health and Beauty section, then enter silicone heel cups). Mine always comes back within about three weeks of slacking off or quitting my exercises, so keep at it.

Plantar fasciitis has nothing to do with tendons - if it did, your doc would be crazy for giving you cortisone shots because they are absolutely verboten for tendon problems (they can cause the tendon to rupture). Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation/shortening of the fascia.

If the patch won't stay on, try sports tape (stretchy and only sticks to itself) or netting. Don't get it wet.

Good evening,
Just stumbled upon your site and wanted to ask about the Flector Patch.
I had an MRI and my neurologist said I had a few herniated discs, bulges
and some arthritis. I went to pick up the Patches and found that it would
be $50. So I went home and did some reading about it. I have had ulcers
in the past as well as hives for 1 year each time. I swear my Dr. said that
this would bypass my stomach, but it doesn't sound like it. Does anyone
know for sure? I have a feeling I'll be calling him back tomorrow with some
questions. The left side of my neck is really hurting as well as making me
nauseaus. I have been taking Motrin for about 2 weeks now (once a day),
and it's somewhat helping, but I don't really want the side effects of that
to start kicking in, cause they have in the past. Any information or help, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent.
PS - I found a site that will give you a $30. coupon --**

The way NSAIDs work to damage the stomach is not a local direct effect. It is a central one. That means that dose is very important. The Flector patches would have a smaller dose entering the body, as they are designed to be a "local" solution.

I use OTC Salonpas patches and they work well for me. They don't cost that much either. They have methyl salicylate in them, not the drug Voltaren, as Flector does. They also stick better. I think aspirin and its derivatives are more potent anyway for inflammation.