Advice on Rotigotine Patches

[Shipbuilder]

Advice on medication gratefully received.

Hi all, first time poster, please be kind!

PD diagnosed in 2017, various meds since then. Currently on 5 x daily madopar 100/25, and until recently rotigotine patches. Recently the patches have produced a massive skin reaction, pure solid blister and pus (sorry), so have stopped using them. Just wondered about other peoples experiences?

[pinoka11]

I developed a gambling addiction being on the patches. Lost 35000 euro. Be careful with them!!!

[WinnieThePoo]

My dad had some sore broken skin at one point and so we had to find another place to put them until it healed. Big advantage for Dad was they continue to work during the night.

He did have hallucinations at first but he was in a dreadful weak state following a bowel resection which went wrong and I think the hallucinations were due to that. Has done really well on the patches for more than 6 months now

[bepo in reply to WinnieThePoo]

awful

[pandaeyes1]

Not sure if this has already been tried, but try to alternate the area of skin being applied?

[pyckle_syckle]

I sometimes get itching at the site of the patch that usually goes away when I remove it. I was told originally to replace the patch every 24 hours. Then to place it in a different place every day for 14 days before restarting the cycle. I made a little chart so that I wouldn’t forget where to put the patch.

[bepo]

Try high dose vitamin B1. Many on this site have had success with that. That may be all you need.

[Bramma in reply to bepo]

Hi Bepo, how high is high dosage of B1, I have recently started taking B1 tablets but no signs of improvement yet.

Neil

[bepo in reply to Bramma]

We're just learning about this. My husband, several months ago, started with 1 gram in the am and one in the afternoon. His tremor went away completely in about a day, and then it returned heavier. Some people start out with 4 grams. Then when you see your symptoms getting worse, you stop the B1 for 5 days and then restart at usually 1/2 the dose. Everyone is different. It's trial and error. My husband recently restarted at 3 mg in the am and 3 in the afternoon. His tremor went away for 2 days, and then returned. He is stopping the B1 for 5 days. Then we will lower the dose to maybe 2.5 mg 2xday.

[Despe in reply to bepo]

Bepo, did you mean 300mg vs 3mg? Also 250mg vs 2.5mg?

[bepo in reply to Despe]

300 mg and 250 mg

[Shipbuilder]

Thanks to all for their comments. I am alternating areas of skin (doing a chart is a good idea) but it seems to be sporadic - some days it just leaves a red mark after a day, others it absolutely reacts and blisters in about 8 hours. Have spoken to Parkinson's nurse, she says leave them for now, will discuss with specialist at next appointment. Madopar currently working pretty well for me, but have noticed a slight loss of coordination since stopping the patches (which could have happened anyway).

I'm off gambling at the moment, that will change when (if) the Premier League football returns!

Will certainly look into vitamin B1, I've read a few things on this site about it - certainly seems a genuine option.

[Foncie in reply to Shipbuilder]

I’ve been on patch for three years. Move patch daily to another area. Have had some irritation. Neurologist advised to rub cortisone cream on red irritated area. Over the counter cream 5 %. Has worked well.

[gwendolinej]

My husband has been on the Neupro patch since 2013. It was a life changer for him. He moves the patch from his arms to his legs, plenty of spots there. They do get itchy sometimes and red. His neurologist monitors his patients and has had to take one off due to addiction.

[LuckyLuke]

Hi, I'm using Neupro patch since 2016 and works really good for me. I also use L-dopa and B1. Just find different spots each day if possible. Try also a 100% aloe vera gel on the skin after removing the patch it will help a lot. Buy a 90-100% gel not a cream with less aloe or will not work so good. Other dopamine agonists can cause various type of compulsion so alway be careful. Neupro is lighter compared to others (Requip etc...) so if you solve the skin issue it's a better option I think.

[pmmargo]

I tried the patches. They worked well for about 19hrs for me. After that they started hurting. You should let the manufacturer know they dont have a working product. The big bummer is the drug is only available in patch form. Bet they put you on pramipexole ER. Best WIshes Paul

[Cropseyville]

I have been on the patches for over a year now. At first I was having alot of skin irritation but the doctor said to gently wipe with water after taking off the patch and then dry and put Cortizone cream on it. Of course you have to move the patch location, I use only my back and upper thigh but it solved my problem with irritation. Hope this helps.

[Dono-organist]

hi I was on the patches whilst I was unable to swallow tablets. i never had any skin problems and like a previous writer i created a 14-day schedule to let my carer know where to put them. unfortunately I developed an interest in bitcoin investments and lost around £100,000, so beware of agonists!