Rotigotine patch allergy

[Palamino]

I am on the Rotigotine patch which is working but I'm having an reaction to the patches . When intake them off I have a red square itchy mark left which takes over a week to fade . Doctor have me hydrocortisone cream but not really helping . Has anyone else had this problem

[Hidden]

I've never used the patch myself, but I have read that this reaction is a very common problem with the patch.

I note previously you were taking pramipexole and I presume you weaned off that and the patch was to replace it.

It's probabaly not a good idea to switch back to pramipexole or ropinirole - all dopamine agonists.

The alternative to dopamine agonists is an alpha 2 delta ligand e.g. pregabalin or an opiate.

[Palamino in reply to Hidden]

Hi I have has gabapentin , ropinerole , prmiprexole u name it ...I had a knee replacement and was on tramadol slow release and didnt get rls when they stopped for my knee it came back . My doc is learning and I am a severe case so he let me carry on with tramadol . . It started up again so I have the patch also and its workin pretty well apart from the rash . I'm on iron aswell and take magnesium to . To be honest as u well know u will try anything as it's a living hell . Thank u for answering me

[Joolsg in reply to Palamino]

Suspect you have augmented on the dopamine agonists- read the pinned post and watch the video by Dr Early which is on the main RLS UK website.

Tramadol is the only opioid that can cause augmentation and it sounds like that’s why it stopped working for you.

I suggest you speak to your doctors and discuss a safe withdrawal programme and alternative meds to replace the patch. As tramadol did work- opioids at low dose or pregabalin would be better options.

[Palamino in reply to Joolsg]

Hi my doctor put me on Pregbalin just over a week ago and came straight of patchs on his say . I've had a nitemare since back to bad legs and hardly any sleep . I nearly nodded off at work the other nite which is not good. How long before Pregbalin kick in ? I was still taking slow release tramadol morn and eve for pain aswell as rls . He s saidbto take normal tramadol in eve with pregbalin ??

[Joolsg in reply to Palamino]

Oh my god. Another negligent doctor!!!!

You should NEVER stop dopamine agonists cold turkey. Ropinirole, pramipexole and the patch all have to be reduced very, very slowly.

Please call him tomorrow and refer him to the meds leaflets which make it clear you cannot stop these meds cold turkey.

If you still have the patch - start using again.

Then get your prescription renewed for 1mg patch doses and use the dose you were on a week ago. Then slowly reduce by 0.5mg every 3-4 weeks. They say you shouldn’t cut the patch but everyone on here does.

It should take a minimum of 3 months to get off the patch.

Pregabalin won’t help during withdrawal but will start to help about 2-3 weeks after you drop the last 0.5mg of the patch.

Tramadol will help withdrawal symptoms.

Please send a written complaint to your GP surgery as this is extremely negligent and dangerous.

[Palamino in reply to Joolsg]

Omg thank you I thought it was odd to come straight off it , it's been awful especially when u know there is something that works Thank you for your help xx

[Joolsg in reply to Palamino]

I just hope you manage some sleep tonight. Stopping DAs cold turkey sends you straight into severe withdrawal which is worse than heroin/crystal meth withdrawal especially as you have been on several DAs & been through augmentation before.

Consider legal action if your GP doesn’t instantly sort out this mess.

Just out of interest where are you? This is a UK website so most members are from here.

Were you ever referred to a neurologist?

[Meg123abc]

I too am allergic to medical adhesives. Talk to your pcp.

[Histology2020]

Hi yes i too have an allergic reaction sometimes it feels like im being branded. Parts of me look like a patch work blanket. I am allergic to metal and the patch has a foil looking stick on section. You cant go in the bath or hot tub whilst wearing it, it makes you very ill. I dream of an alternative but, with a heavy heart im losing hope!!

[Palamino]

Had the worst nite ever at work last nite thanks to my daft doctor. I do waking nights with one client in his own home we have to sit for nearly 8 hours inbetween checking him and turning him on a dining room chair . ...my legs were goin mental last nite but I'm so tired as not been sleeping. It makes me feel short of breath sometimes as I get so tense . As soon as I got in at 7 I slapped on a patch mine are 2mg so will have to gradually reduce. I've had 3 hrs sleep solid thank god but still not enough to function properly day after day

[Medici]

I have had this problem for years. I tend to find that if the patches have English writing on the box, they are lass irritating than those made in other countries. I’ve advised my pharmacist of this and they do it well for 1-2 months and then it reverts. Restless whole body sometimes.

[Caperry]

I have large red blisters, like a very bad burn, only place I can place patch without blisters is my stomach!! I just wonder what I can do when these don’t work or I cannot tolerate any longer!!

[Palamino in reply to Caperry]

Hi I came off mine because of the allergic reaction to the glue on the patchs . I'm on Buprenorphine now its brilliant . Its opioid based so not all doctors like to prescribe nut if ur that bad they shod . Theres lots of info on here about it . Called Temegesic aswell . Good luck I know how awful it is x

[Caperry in reply to Palamino]

How hard was it to get off patches? Or how did u do it?

[Palamino in reply to Caperry]

Well my doctor originally told me to just stop which was ridiculous as I learnt on here .. so I weaned my self off by gradually cutting the patches smaller and smaller over a matter of weeks . There is info on here I think about that

[Caperry in reply to Palamino]

Thanks so much

[Caperry]

If patch is causing severe inflammation everywhere can u taper off with another dopamine agonists?

[Palamino]

Hi possibly but I wouldn't like to say ask on the general site cos theres people with more experience and knowledge of meds than me . I think I tapered off and started taking my new meds aswell . Sorry I cant help

[Fangs]

I also have been getting the red patch and blisters but I have been told to put the hydrocortisone cream on before I put the patch on and it does help but you need to put it on about 5 minutes before as the patch will fall off I also noticed that the 3mg patch left blisters on my skin and it’s not as bad when I put the patch on my thighs

I hope this helps