BUTRANS10

[14penny]

Hi just wondering if anyone using Butrans 10 patches have found them really itchy lately as I was wondering if they have changed something in the plaster as have been wearing them for a long time and suddenly getting really bad red squares left on skin after taking them off making it almost impossible to wear them as I am running out of skin sites don't want to end up looking like I have something contagious, love to hear any comments. Annie

[Philip]

Yes I have in the past I’m now on 35mg but the 10mg imo shouldn’t be put on arms or legs, I moved them from my arms and it seemed to settle down, so maybe try it in different places. When it’s time for renewal otherwise you’ll run out and going cold turkey is really really not nice and it might be worth coming off them, with the help of your GP, I wish I had.

[14penny in reply to Philip]

Thanks Philip don't fancy going cold turkey as I did try for a couple of weeks to go without and the pain was horrible so they must really help I am hoping they may have a different brand or something very similaras it is a problem with the sticky stuff my suspicions are they are using a cheaper version of the plaster. Thanks Annie

[Amy65]

I was on these for a while didn't work for me .if u use alcohol wipes takes the stick of ur skin amy

[Neverending63]

I have this periodically but not all the time. Sorry not much help

[Nicole2000]

Hello 14Penny,

I was on Butrans a couple of years ago, had all the different dosages and suffered skin blistering with all of them. I then moved to Fentanyl and this seemed to work OK with my skin. I don’t generally have sensitive skin so this was really unexpected when it occurred.

Nx

[14penny in reply to Nicole2000]

Thanks Nicole2000, due to see rheumy tomorrow and hopefully they will help and I will ask about Fentanyl. Thanks Annie

[medway-lady]

I don't have any but my mum did and it was down to a change in the addesive used, her GP changed her to another brand and she was fine. Mum had severe oestoporosis and spinal fractures and this did a huge difference to her life.

[14penny in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks medway-lady, seems like they have changed the plaster side of these patches thanks for replying to me. What I think I will do is see the rheumy and try and get another brand of the patches but it does seem weird as I have tolerated them for a few years now and did not realise how much they help with the pain until I stopped them maybe they are cutting back and giving me a cheaper brand. Thanks again Annie

[medway-lady in reply to 14penny]

Exactly what happened to my mum, used them for years then no. It was her GP said its the glue, as no one is allergic to morphine its why its so addictive to humans. So it might be down to the cheapest adhesiveas you say get a script for another variety I can't reeber what mum had so sorry and I hope you do resolve the situation as those patches dowork well.

[14penny in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks for all the info this really helps me as I know I am not on my own so I will try and ask for the patches either from another brand or the original ones I was using I really suspect they have tried a cheaper version due to cut backs.

Thanks Annie

[Nickijk73]

Hi 14penny

I had horrendous blistering that looked like chemical burns(and actually left me with a nasty scar on my chest) and this was six weeks into using them with no bad effects previously. The gp and chemist took a few days between them to find a different type of patch for me to wear(hapoctasin) which is completely silver on the back,so it doesn’t have the feel of an adhesive plaster,plus they also gave me cavilon barrier spray to use,this way it’s prevented anything like that happening to me since,which has been almost two yrs now,the only downside is that I need someone else to be able to apply the spray and patch as I can’t reach my back on my own to do this - there are definitely options,and if you’ve suddenly reacted then I’d definitely speak with your dr - mine said at the time that some people do develop things like this even after using them for a while,so it’s a known effect,and they should be able to sort you with a suitable replacement.

Hope this helps

Nicki

[14penny in reply to Nickijk73]

Thanks Nicki for replying to me I did not know there were different patches that could be more suitable as I went to my Dr and they said how unusual you have been on them for a few years now just keep trying them in different places which I did but it is still leaving angry squares on skin so I am due to see my rheumy tomorrow and hopefully they will be able to sort this out. Thanks Annie

[Nickijk73 in reply to 14penny]

Morning Annie

Yep,there are different patches, and hapoctasin are only about two thirds of the size of the old butrans patch too,which comes in handy for finding new spots every three days when they need to be changed,although I think they may be reluctant to give them out due to cost(apparently the barrier spray alone is quite expensive,or so my carer says,and she used to be a cancer nurse for many years,so knows quite a lot of the meds from old,as it were!!) I can’t believe that your drs have left you with such a reaction on your skin - this is where this forum comes into its own and we all learn things we would never have known otherwise. Fingers crossed you have more luck with your Rheumy today - pls let me know what they say about it,as I’m intrigued now🤔.

Good luck

Nicki.

[14penny in reply to Nickijk73]

Hi there, went to rheumy and he said he does not deal with the patches so off I go to the doc again and saw a different one with more success. I was given Butec 10 to try so fingers crossed this will work without the redness and itching but I think my first visit to the different doc at my surgery would have been more helpful if they had told me there were other patches you could try it seems to me it is who you speak to so really glad I went on this site :))

Thanks Annie

[Nickijk73 in reply to 14penny]

That’s good to hear that you’re finally moving in the right direction - fingers crossed this works first time without you having any adverse reactions. I’ve always said that people on this site help you without even realising most of the time,because the gp’s and sometimes even the specialists can get stuck in their ways and not realise there are other options out there.so this really does turn into a pot of gold when it comes to knowledge - just wish I’d found it at the start of my diagnosis instead of almost three yrs down the line.... but I’m here now 😊

[nomoreheels]

I'm no longer on BuTrans patches but I did have issues with the adhesive. They were leaving me with an eczema-type dry skin patch, they used to slip too. I've changed to Butec patches, same dose, 20mcg/hr, & have no problems at all, even the adhesive is easier to get off. Maybe ask if you could try changing to them too, they're the same medication just a different manufacturer, the box is virtually identical as well, except for the branding of course. The patent for the Butrans brand has expired so other companies can now make it under their own brand. There's no difference, the patch even looks just the same... your GP will thank you too because they'll cost them less!

[14penny in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you so much for the information I am due to see rheumy tomorrow and hope they can change them to Butec patches :)) Annie

[nomoreheels in reply to 14penny]

You're welcome Annie, I hope he ok's changing to them, I'd be surprised if he doesn't, they're around half the price of BuTrans, mine were costing £57.46 as opposed to £25.86 for Butec! I meant to ask, weren't you given anything for the adhesive reaction? My GP prescribed a steroid cream which I'd to use sparingly but it did help. I no longer need to use it with the Butec thankfully. One other thing, I found applying them to the less sensitive areas of my upper outer arm & shoulders worked best for me, alternating sides each each week, arms for two weeks, shoulder the next two.

[14penny in reply to nomoreheels]

Seen Doc and he has changed me over to Butec and hopefully they will be more suitable

Thanks again Annie

[nomoreheels in reply to 14penny]

Oh good. I hope you find they don't cause irritation. My h changed mine for me this morning, it's shoulder time so easier if he does it!

[14penny in reply to nomoreheels]

I wish you well such a pain but thank god there is something that helps take the pain away a bit! :))

[nomoreheels in reply to 14penny]

Indeed.😐

[14penny]

Thanks again so glad to have found this site I have had loads of kind help just waiting till morning to see what I will be offered Annie