Scopoderm patches

[PSPCarer]

Hello all beautiful people

Has anyone tried Scopoderm patches ? I have heard they’re quite effective.

Anyone has any experience? Please share.

Thank you

[Helen119]

Yes my Husband tried them for build up of saliva, they worked and stopped that, BUT, they caused him to react in a horrible way, he became aggressive, could not stop talking, could not sleep, confused, and angry, so we had to stop them, not sure if the reaction he had is common, but it wasn’t a nice week.

We now use atropine drops, works and no bad reactions.

Love and hugs xxx

[PSPCarer in reply to Helen119]

Thank you for sharing this. My sister isn’t at that stage yet so I don’t think we need to use the patches. Is atropine to control the drooling?

[kenh1]

We have used them for years now with no problems.

I am a great believer in them and have regularly replied to posts such as yours.

[PSPCarer in reply to kenh1]

Thank you very much for your reply.

How do they help and at what stage?

[kenh1 in reply to PSPCarer]

We we're getting excessive build ups of saliva causing choking and danger of aspiration pneumonia. They were prescribed by Palliative care nurses in 2016. My wife has been fed by ng tube since 2016. We change the patch every 72hrs as per prescription. On a couple of occasions I have had to add a new patch as we are coming up to the change over date. Have had no side effects as described by Helen. When you ask about at what stage. We are probably towards the end stages as my wife is bed ridden and fed by tube having been diagnosed with CBD in 2013. But 'end days' God only knows and I just take one day at a time.

[JantheNana in reply to kenh1]

Upon reading this I have to question why my husband who passed away in 2017 was never given any relief from his excessive salivation. His doctors never mentioned the use of patches or drops to help with this problem. Excessive salivation was his very first symptom,before we ever dreamed anything was neurologically wrong with him.

I cannot help feeling resentful toward the medical community for not providing this relief which could have helped him greatly to be more comfortable for a long time. I am wishing you the best and hope for comfort for your wife and yourself. Yes,taking one day at a time is the rule of the day! Janet

[kenh1 in reply to JantheNana]

I do not know how extensive the use of these patches is. Shortly before my wife was prescribed with them a person we knew who had PSP and had excessive salivation was in a nursing home and nurses were having to use a suction machine night and day. Scopoderm was not offered. The lady died within a couple of weeks. So I wonder if this is a new discovery which is more familiar to those of us using this site than amongst the medical profession.

[PSPCarer in reply to kenh1]

I didn’t know about them until a friend recently messaged me about it. His father in law is suffering and these patches worked for him. My sister is not at that stage so we don’t need them for now. Hope tha stage never comes (God willing)

[acorneater]

Hi,

We were recently at the hospital for another assessment during which I asked about scopoderm patches.Her consultant advised that they could help but only for people with extreme saliva problems.Thankfully we are not at that stage yet.Acorneater.

[PSPCarer in reply to acorneater]

Thank you for your reply. My sister isn’t at that stage either so I don’t think it is for us. I dread the future though. Good luck to you. Xx

[blackhill]

We tried them but caused confusion and agitation. Worth a try as it works for many without side effects.

[PSPCarer in reply to blackhill]

Thank you very much for replying.

It’s always best to know from the people who have experienced it already. It really helps.

[allotmentartist]

My husband used them for a couple of years no side affects but he got irritated by them said they made him itch where the patch was put behind his ear so they were only ever on for half an hour towards the end he is now on atropine drops under his tongue .

[PSPCarer in reply to allotmentartist]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It’s interesting to know that different patients respond differently to it. Thank you again.