If you use a patch (mine is Fenayl, working well btw, but still have pain from 8 to 10 MOST days, but now have more 4 days._

Anyways,

If you use a patch and then put on a heat source the medicine escapes too fast and easily can KILL you. MANY ER nurses told me this, and the warning label too.

Just fyi. I use heat for my low back and legs sometimes.

WOW great tip Tam. Thanks!

I ne used a heating pad with a lidoderm patch and did experince a problem and was told it says on teh side of the box not to use with heat.

There is first hand experience on this board of the failure of the reservoir style patch, you see it every time we sign in.
Families should not share these losses.

There is no warning though on the package of; Death, fatality, or morbidity. Not as of January...is there now? That will change. They only warn of suppresed breathing signs per the FDA of 2005. FDA is being very aggressive in light of the multitude cases of accidental deaths.

An ER nurse should not be warning consumers, the manufacture should. They should be informing every doctor, pharmacy, and consumer. But the $$$$ wins.

The machine that produces the product is a Baylor, it is not fail proof, it is a known killer.
The heat source is not the only threat. The perfect use can turn deadly. 8,000 pacthes fail out of a lot. That is a fact. More then 80-100 times more potent then Morphine the medication escapes into the body.

Patients deserve to have the best pain management and safe one.

http://www.productsthathurt.com/blog...se-lawsuit.php

Verdicts and Settlements: $16,500,000 Jury verdict in a wrongful death case involving a defective Duragesic® fentanyl pain patch, manufactured by Alza Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P. (Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries), which resulted in the death of a 38-year-old mother of three. (Litigation expenses were $300,000 and attorneys' fees were $5,500,000.)

They are playing with lives of families by saying it can cause NRS and what to do if you notice respiratory problems.....you will never know you are experiencing those problems.

If you are not using a MATRIX dispensing of the patch, you are putting your life on the line EVERY TIME you use one. Personally, I would use any other method then the patch at all. That is my experience and opinion.

Be informed, the manufacture of the medication using a reservoir will not inform you.
God Bless
Honey

Fentanyl Patch Recall Announced

Posted: Aug 12, 2009

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced Tuesday that one lot of 100 mcg/hr Fentanyl Transdermal System patches sold in the U.S. is being voluntarily recalled from wholesalers and pharmacies. Read more>

In case it doesn't pull up:

....

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced Tuesday that one lot of 100 mcg/hr Fentanyl Transdermal System patches sold in the U.S. is being voluntarily recalled from wholesalers and pharmacies. The recalled patches are from Lot Number 145287A, have expiration dates of February 2011 and were manufactured by Watson Laboratories, Inc. and distributed by Watson Pharma, Inc. The affected lot of Fentanyl Transdermal System patches was shipped to customers between April 2, 2009 and May 20, 2009. No other strengths or lots were affected and the Company does not anticipate any product shortages as a result of this recall. The Company has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the recall.


A small number of patches leaking fentanyl gel have been detected in this lot, potentially exposing patients or caregivers directly to fentanyl gel. Fentanyl patches that are leaking should not be used. No serious injuries have been reported in connection with the recalled lot. However, exposure to fentanyl gel may lead to serious adverse events, including respiratory depression and possible overdose, which may be fatal.


There's more if you'd like, you can read it here:
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic...ounced?ic=6042

Excellent tip! Thank you!