fentanyl patch works but scars me for weeks from the glue - Pain Management Message Board

jayboy557 · 03-03-2008, 08:07 PM

The scarring and itching is almost unbearable. Is there an alternative fentanyl that is used besides the patch. This was the first time I have taken this and it killed my pain. is there a pill form that is prescribed.

My last med was oxycontin 40mgs twice and norco for break thru but i had lots of break thru pain. The fentanyl was much better.

Any suggestions. Does fentanyl work better for you guys. Does the patch irritate others bad enough to where you have to take it another way. Orally or whatever. Any ideas.

Jason

letthatsinkin · 03-03-2008, 08:10 PM

When I used this, I had irritation from the adhesive... and it looked like an incision where the medication entered my body. A straight line, with tiny scabs on it... after I took it off. Weird. It did work good for me, but only for 48 hours and my insurance would only pay for every 72... so I switched to OC 20mg 3x day.. worked much much better.... but i am now in the process of tapering down and off completely...

Good luck... I ultimately had to do the switch to OC but not so much because of the irritation but because it didnt last the full 72 hrs..

Executor · 03-03-2008, 08:12 PM

Same issue as me.....The fent is far superior....However, I HATE the patch concept.....Itching, glue, the whole 9 yards. I use finger nail polish remover to get the leftover glue off btw. However, there isn't any type of fent pill. The only other fentanyl based products are:

(1) Actiq- Fentanyl lollipops.....Very short term acting....For BT pain
(2) Fentora- Fentanyl lozenge....Also made by the company Cephelon.

A fent pill would be great, but it doesn't exist. OC didn't work well for me either, but I switch to it in the late Spring through late Fall due to the heat, sweating & etc. I also enjoy the break from the patch concept.

When I take OC, my BT pain meds skyrocket. I feel your pain.....Literally.

Good luck.

Ex

brianpain33 · 03-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Well, there is not a fentanyl pill. And the other forms of fentanyl are to be used as BT (breakthrough) meds only. I did have some of those itching, rash issues with the patch as well. The one thing that I did and it worked was to get a RX for a corticosteroid nasal spray called NASONEX. Your doc might think that you nuts but you spray it on your skin, let it completely dry, and then place the patch on top of it. The medication in it helps with the allergic skin reaction. I have also heard, but haven't tried this other method which is to use a spray type anti-persperant (preferrably Aarid X-Tra dry), letting it dry and then putting the patch over top. These are the only 2 methods that I know of unless you take an anti-histamine every day (like Claritin or Zyrtec OTC) which might prevent the allergic reaction. Another thing to try is to use the Mylan generic brand (can't believe I said this) because it does not have the same adhesive as Duragesic & Sandoz brand patches.

Brian

P.S. You could try getting your doctor to prescribe every 2 days instead of 3 days which might help. Aso make sure you don't use the same spot every time. Give your skin a few days break and change sites.

IZZY'SMOM · 03-04-2008, 09:44 AM

I use eye makeup remover for my patch glue, and it works wonderfully! You can get the hypoallergenic kind too.
xoxoxox,
IZZY'SMOM