My RA doctor and I have chosen this to be the best medication for me as we have exhausted all medications, pain, bio's, and more,  that I am able to take.....I have several other medical conditions and Duragesic is the best pain medication for me. Every persons pain is different and unless you experience it yourself, you have no idea what it is like and what is needed.  I was not aware I would be questioned or chastised by someone.  By the way are YOU a doctor??

I wasn't aware that I was questioning your medications or your medical history. And I apologize that it came across that way.  Truly I am sorry.  I was just offering an observation that many people on this particular website may not know what a duragestic patch is and may not be able to relate to it's uses or how to keep it on your person.  Also a lot of us give background information on medications as a courtesy to those who do not know. 

I did offer a suggestion of compression tape as that is what my 2 friends use to keep their's on. 

No I am not a doctor as no one on this website is.

I wanted to apologize for snapping your head off......there's no excuse, no matter how bad my day has been and appreciate your concern and advice.  Please see the note I sent you privately.

Thanks so much!

Cathy

I'm all new to keeping patches on too! I was prescribed Mylan patches. I've had 3 come off in just one weekend! UGH! Desperate times call for desperate measures so after reading tons of posts this is what I've done and seems to be working, even with swimming and showering.
Clean the area well with warm water (I put my patch to the left or right of my belly button). Let it air dry well or give it a shot with the cool setting on a hair dryer for about a minute. Apply the patch. Curad waterproof tape works very well for me (and I sweat a lot, have oily skin and it's 95 and VERY humid where I live) Apply the tape on all 4 sides of the pain patch. Then I applied a piece of Tegraderm and taped the edges of that down on all 4 sides with Curad WP tape. Lastly cut a piece of Glad FREEZER bag (not regualr food bag plastic) to overlap the other layers and tape on all 4 sides. Press down as hard as you for a minute (if you use a hair dryer, use the low setting for a minute....it helps make the adhesive, on everything, stick a lot better and press hard on it again. Do your best to keep everything flat and not wrinkle or roll up as you put it on. I applied this yesterday morning, have showered 3 times (using hot water and taking my good old time!) and spent 6 hours swimming in the pool. It hasn't budged or bunched up at all since I put it on Saturday morning and the patch and layers are bone dry~no water has gotten near the pain patch! (I am calling Mylan for some of those special patch covers but until they arrive this will work.  I'm also going to pick up some sports tape tomorrow......Thanks Ronnie!  :) ) I sure hope this helps someone~it's frustrating when you only have so many patches and they won't stay on! Have a good evening! Cath

That sounds like a lot of work. I do not envy you at all but kudos for the inventiveness!!! 

Be aware that sports tape and compression tape is different.  sports tape is white and adhesive but I must say it is massively adhesive for its purpose.

Compression tape looks like a wrinkled ace bandage.  It adheres to itself only and is reuseable.  It can be taken off for showering and put back on if needed.  It is not waterproof for pools but waterprood enough for a quick shower.  They use it alot for wrist and hand injuries as it molds into whatever position you squish it into.  When applied too tightly it will cut off circulation.  But a couple wraps around the arm with pressure applied will give you relatively tight fit.  if you feel it becoming too tight it can be taken off and reapplied with ease. 

My friend "Wheeler" sometime puts hers on the side of her rib cage under her bra.  The bra pretty much keeps it in place. Wheeler has also opened the patch and rubbed some of the gel compound into the  skin on her chest on extremely hot days.  She uses latex gloves to do it. (I do not particularly recommend this practice, though)

Although the patches are adhesive, they do not have to be worn 24/7.  My aunt sometimes takes hers off halfway through the day to allow what medication already in her system to do its job.  She also says it helps to conserve the patch for a day or two longer than recommended as they are very expensive even with her insurance. 

But it sounds like you are getting the idea of doing whatever you need to do, to control you pain. Good job.

Thanks for the update.

Ronie

And I just had a thought, Have you tried Spirit Gum.  It is sometimes used to hold prosthetics in place and also used to hold wigs, mustaches and whatnot in place.  My niece uses it to keep little jewels attached to her face when she goes clubbing. 

Just a thought.  If it works through a dance session it must be pretty good.

It is a lot of work but it's good in a pinch since my doc's office is closed (weekend)  & I can't get to the pharmacy.  I don't plan to use this method all the time.....it's mainly a quick fix!  The Glad freezer bag taped over the patch does keep it dry for bit of a longer shower. 

Thanks or the clarification among the different tapes.  I willl add that to my list.

@Ronie what is your take on Hypafix tape?  A lot of people recommend that.  I thought I'd tap your expertise b/4 spending the money for it.

On really hot & humid days when I worry about the patch not sticking well I place the patch on my sternum (between my breasts).  That way when I put my underwire bra on that little piece of fabric between the cups presses very firmly on the patch and helps it stay in place. 
It's so good to know that I can remove the patch b4 showering and then reapply it.  Despite my best efforts it would still loosen.  I was concerned about @losing the effectiveness of the med by taking it off and reapplying

In my opinion the hypafix tape doesn't work as well as the tegraderm.  I am personally allergic to both of them as they cause blisters and tears my skin off.  With my surgeries in the past, i have more scarring from the tape then I have cuts.  hahaha. 

And you are right, the Curad flex bandades and waterproof bandages are like super glue. Holy MOFO batman, getting one of them off is an act of congress.

When you take the patch off, be cautious that it does not dry out.  the med is in the gel and the gel will dry and crack if exposed to air for too long.  My aunt uses a littl parchment paper to keep the sticky stuff from collecting dust and stuff then puts it in a little ziplock

Hi Ronnie!!

How are you today?  Hopefully you're feeling OK!   I'm feeling OK~it's hot and humid here (PA) and it seems like the humidity makes the pain even worse~anybody else have that problem??

I was given the Mylan patch from my doctor.  I can handle the heat~my patch stays on fairly well even in the 90's but if it's humid forget it! 

I called Mylan, as many people suggested, and they have an adhesive that you apply to the patch after it's put on (I think she said you brush it onto the patch and let it dry) and it shouldn't budge.  She told me to complete the paperwork with the first pack, which by the way is *free* and Mylan will send a pack every month (I can't remember if the subsequent shipments are free or not) She did suggest (as you did) using Curad waterproof bandages in the interim.  This adhesive stuff is on backorder so there's about a 2 week waiting period before it's shipped but to use the Curad until the adhesive gets here.  So if your Mylan patch won't stick call this number and you'll get this stuff~hopefully it will help someone help!  Their toll free number is 1-877-446-3679, M-F EST.

Wishing everyone a happy & pain free day!

Cath

Geez, guess I need more coffee!  I forgot to post Mylan's phone number.  It's 877-446-3679 M-F 8:00 a.m.~5:00 p.m. EST

that brush on adhesive is Spirit Gum as I had suggested a couple posts back.  It about 5 bucks for a small bottle.  Most people know it for theatrical use.  I know it for keeping bandages in place in TX heat during softball season and august football tryouts. 

Seriously?? This just sounds too easy!  Thanks for the heads up.....I'll pick up some of this he next I go.  What a greast money saver tip to know too.

Thanks so much info  Today as my methotrexate (self inject) and I really feel miserable......extreme exhaustion, serious nausea and more. I sould start to feel human by Saturday 

Hugs & blessings~

cath

Good luck with the mtx.. I feel for ya.. finally after a billion years, they switched me to Arava. It seems to be working fine on the swelling.  Actually better than prednisone alone.  Now i just have to deal with the grinding and clicking and stuck joints. 

I'm not sure which is worse, the pain from swelling or the pain from the grinding because the swelling has gone down.

Best wishes,

Ronie

Hello there, Iam a Fentanyl user for the past 8 yrs..and the best thing i have used so far to keep my Patches on is a Big Band Aid, preferarly a water proof one..They cost 2.50 for 10 big Ban Aids..I put the patch on the tape, with medication facing me, and the patch sticks to the tape and is set securely..It even upholds the shower and Jacuzzi's...so far this is the best method i have used, and i tried so many thru the yrs...ok..good luck..

take care..and my prayers are with you...I have 24/7 pains for the past 15 yrs due to an Auto accident that broke my spine in 3 parts, my neck,arms,legs,fingers and my Jaw and broke all my teeth, so just imagine....The patches have been a Godsend..instead of 20 pills a day for pain...and no..an 18 wheeler didnt run over me...Just a drunk driver push me off  the road..and I was in a coma for 4 months, and in the hospital for a whole year...Yeah, i look normal to anybody, but only I know what i feel...

take care..

Ms Nine Lives..

Umm..you must be one uncaring, cold, nurse?, and judgemental to boot!...see how its easy to judge?..

Hello there, Iam a Fentanyl  100mg...user for the past 8 yrs..and the best thing i have used so far to keep my Patches on is a Big Band Aid, preferarly a water proof one..They cost 2.50 for 10 big Ban Aids..I put the patch on the tape, with medication facing me, and the patch sticks to the tape and is set securely..It even upholds the shower and Jacuzzi's...so far this is the best method i have used, and i tried so many thru the yrs...

...I have 24/7 pains for the past 15 yrs due to an Auto accident that broke my spine in 3 parts, my neck,arms,legs,fingers and my Jaw and broke all my teeth, so just imagine....The patches have been a Godsend..instead of 20 pills a day for pain...and no..an 18 wheeler didnt run over me...Just a drunk driver push me off  the road..and I was in a coma for 4 months, and in the hospital for a whole year...Yeah, i look normal to anybody, but only I know what i feel...

Ms Nine Lives..

She is asking for advice on how to keep a patch on not your approval, your confirmation or justification that she needs it.  Unless you have been diagnosed with chronic pain, instead of attempting to make one feel unjustified taking medication for an injury you feel should not warrant such a strong medication (it is already embarrassing enough going to the pharmacy or doctor) a MEDICAL DOCTOR HAS PRESCRIBED this poor wonderful (who is brave enough to seek out help (I hope she skipped yours) woman, give her the advice she asked for and not your opinion based on judgement on how much she does not need it.  I use this patch as well and have severe chronic pain.  I take complete offense at how you truly think someone that basically has had their brain operated on or whatever -well anyway you get the picture-you have a scale lady on what you think warrants what med?  As referenced above, the energy I pick up when getting this is spot on and you should be ashamed.  Get run over by an 18 wheeler then I approve??? It is embarrassing to even be on this or go pick it up because of people like you.  I take the patch and guess what, I am still in miserable pain and yes I have tried everything.  If you only knew the thoughts that I have to rid myself of chronic pain.  Be supportive instead of demoralizing without knowing how truly awful this kind of pain is.  There is nothing you can do about it but try to manage it and one grows a tolerance to everything.  I pray that in your lifetime, you never have anything but a minor ache or pain.  I would not wish this on my worst enemy.