Butrans patches
 

Is anyone on Butrans patches? I am supposed to start one today and wondering what everyone's experiences has been on them. I am also on a slew of other meds including lyrica, tizanidine, celebrex, cymbalta (new too) and hydrocodone. All of my doses were increased at my PM appt yesterday due to spreading and worsening of the disease as well as sleepless painful days and nights. I'm hoping something helps soon...

If you're on Butrans how do you handle the heat sensitivity? Do you still swim or do water aerobics? Do you go to the pool or beach in the summer? I know those are minor logistics if it does work.

I dont have any experience with these patches. According to Web MD you can bath, shower, or swim while wearing the patches. I was surprised to read that, it seems like a patch would off in water.
This is the info from the Mayo Clinic re heat sensitivity while using these patches.
"Heat can cause the buprenorphine in the patch to be absorbed into your body faster. This may increase the chance of serious side effects or an overdose. While you are using this medicine, do not use a heating pad, a sunlamp, or a heated water bed, and do not sunbathe, or take long baths or showers in hot water."
I hope some or all of that is helpful. It sounds like you really need some pain relief. I am glad that your doctors are still prescribing controlled substances, so many will not any more. I hope to hear if they bring you any relief, pray they do.
Barb

Thanks Barb! I am so blessed to have a great pain management team. I am now almost 2 weeks in to the Butrans patch and it's incredible. It has taken my pain to the lowest it's been since diagnosis. I would definitely recommend to anyone struggling.

I am swimming and doing water aerobics with it on and put a tegaderm (waterproof) patch over it when I apply it. The first few days were rough and I had some dizzy spells but now that I'm past that it's awesome.

Awesome! I love to hear that. So glad you are getting relief.
Barb

Me too! the only issue I have is they only seem to last for 5 days instead of 7 but hey 5 relatively good days is better than zero.