butrans painkiller patch any info?

gemmapetken

hi
just a quick question
anyone had the butrans painkiller patch?
Just been given it as in major flare up

Any info/tips etc all welcome
Ta
Gxxx

twinney

hello there,
Was given the patch yesterday to try, put it on last night , can't say that I have noticed anything.
Was a bit unsure to use it but like you having a flare up so thought that I would give it a go
Regards
Lyn

janie68

Hi

I will be watching this thread as I have been offered it by my gp. But what I gather is it takes a while to get into your system. Hope that the patches help with the pain.

Janie

twinney

Thanks Janie for info, have been given the 5mg one to start off with, am keeping my fingers crossed.
Regards
lyn

jaspercat

Hi, I tried them but they didn't seem to make a difference, I also developed a nasty red rash under the patch, I was told by my gp not to use them any more love Jaspercatxx

zechariah

Hi,
I started butrans a few months ago, started on the 5 mg and then was put on the 10mg, I am now being put up a strength again, I still take nortryptiline at night to help with nerve pain and i take 4 tramadol a day, it seems to help but during a big flare up I still struggle!
I havent had any reaction on my skin, it does itch a bit though, I would stick with them if I was you, they do work and it is better than putting all the meds through your stomach.
I am on the higher dose patch as I am a big bloke at 6'4" and 19 stone!
Good luck and stick with it, they are great.

Forgot to say, I have stopped driving since being on them!

kathbee

Hi

I am just being 'weaned off' Butrans patches.

My gp prescribed them whilst I was waiting to go
in for my hip replacement and was
struggling with a lot of pain.

I started with the 5's and then went onto the 10's.

Not sure exactly how much they helped as I was still
taking Co-Dydramol as well. I have RA and OA.

Whilst in hospital at Xmas time undergoing the op, I was told the Butrans patches were a 'controlled' drug and they were not even
allowed to be locked in the drugs cupboard above my bed.
I didnt know that about them.

Have found it hard this week to come down from the 10 back to
a 5 and my GP seems to think I have withdrawal symptoms,
as I cannot sleep at night - AT ALL, and can't keep still,
like someone hyper active,
so its obviously quite a potent drug.

That's just me, I am small and dont weigh much so maybe
that could be taken into consideration, hope this is useful
info.

Kath

c4thyg

I've used butrans for the last year. I started on 5ug per hr and I tend to use 10 ug per hr in the winter months. I think they are great for pain but you have to give them 3 days to get into your system. You can't just take them like pills and expect almost immediate relief. I did feel a bit sick when I first put one on but that quickly goes so keep with it and give them at least a week. The only downside I find with them is that they make me sleepy, but then so do all pain killers! Now I'm on my own with my daughter I've stopped using them for that reason. At the moment I'm off all pain killers and just coping as best I can otherwise I'm not able to help my daughter. Apart from that I'd say that they are definitely worth a try because you don't get the ups and downs that you do with other pain killers, you get a steady dose all the time which is must easier to live with. Good luck with them and give them a chance to get into your system at the full dose, about 3 days.

kathbee

Hi All

Just an update about Butrans patches.

It's official,
I am suffering withdrawal symptoms from Butrans and I have only been on them for a couple of months or so.

I phoned NHS Direct today as I had the night from h*ll last night, sat on the edge of the bed rocking back and forth, unable to stop moving my legs and arms, it was horrid, I never slept a wink and I am exhausted, sweating, then shivering and crying and generally all over the place.

The NHS doc told me I am in withdrawal (stopped the patches on Friday). They are morphine based a very strong controlled drug.

I dont want to frighten anyone who is currently on them but please be warned of what can happen and get advice from your GP of any changes you may want to make with them.

Now I have some idea of what it feels like to be hooked on drugs.


Kath

gemmapetken

hi
i have now been on them for a week on thursday.
i am now feeling dizzy and really really tired.
Dont know if they are connected but the dizzyness is getting worse!

Any ideas?
Gemma

woodbon

Hi, I'm sorry that you all have such bad pain, it just takes over you life, dosn't it.

I have not had pain killing patches, but I take HRT by sticking a patch on. I've been using it for just over 20 years, and find them great. I know they work, because sometimes I loose one, and I get hot flushes before the end of a day or so! :oops: I remember when I first had them, (I was part of an experiment to get them licenced in this country), when I got back from the hospital I looked at these clear plaster things and said to my husband. 'These things won't do any good, just look at them, rubbish! Now, my GP asked me if I'd like to give them up because of some side effects, but as my blood pressure is normal, I'm not giving them up!!! :!: Love Sue
PS I'm not that old, I had an early hystorectomy!!!! :oops:

issymknight

I have been on the patches for 2 years nearly and they have made a big differance for me. Instead of taking 56+pain killers a week which was a worry with all my other medication. I started off on 5mg paches and now wear 30mg. I find that they help the majority of the time its only when I get a big flare up that I have to take extra pain killers and steroids. I have found with the patches that mentally I feel better as I hated all the tablets I was taking. I have 2 patches on and thats it for a week. The only down side is where you can wear the patches especially in the summer as they should only go on your top half of your body so you have white patches after sun bathing.. Many people assume they are smoking patches.
Hope this has helped but like the old saying goes everyone is different and what works for one might not work for another. Give them a try.