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 I myself have struggled with it since Vioxx was withdrawn.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.