Buprenorphine patch and swimming

[RiversW]

Dear Everyone,

About 3 months ago, I started withdrawing from Neupro with the help of Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is only available as a patch in Brasil where I live. I am now free of any dopamine agonist for over 2 months and continue to use Buprenorphine to effectively control my RLS. The quality of my life has improved 100%.

For the last 3 weeks I have been in the ocean almost every day for at least an hour. I have never allowed the patch to be in direct sunlight but have made no effort to keep it dry. My neurologist told me swimming should not decrease the efficacy of the patch. During this period I experienced no RLS symptoms. However, after 3 weeks, one morning I woke up with severe burning in my left ankle. This type of pain was common but much worse when I was augmenting on Neupro. Am I making a mistake allowing the patch to get wet or is it possible that this particular patch is defective? Perhaps there is something else I am not considering?

As always, thank you for reading my post. Rivers

[ChrisColumbus]

Guidance I read says that you may shower, bathe or swim whilst wearing, but you're warned not to sunbathe as the patches are sensitive to body heat changes and can then release too much medication. Another patch user may have better advice, but I can only suggest that you check back with your neurologist.

[RiversW in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you Chris! I must admit that after such a turnaround for me with Buprenorphine the return of the heat is alarming. However, the heat is nothing like it was before thank goodness. Thanks for your input. Rivers

[kylieah]

you can shower with them so swimming with shouldn’t cause any issues. I wore fentanyl patches and got them wet when showering. Didn’t affect the patch at all.

[RiversW in reply to kylieah]

Thank you kylieah!

[Jelbea]

Hi Rivers W - From my time of using buprenorphine patches I remember that it is not only sunlight which affects them but also getting overheated in general. I sat very near a radiator early in the time I was using the patches and got very lethargic and felt weird. Then I remembered about heat affecting them.

The thing is that if your are very active and getting warm in your efforts the patch will get used up more quickly and so not be as effective as the days go on. Also I do not know if you are on the 7-day patch but most of us using these found that they did not last 7 days. At first mine did last but as the time went on I only got about four days help from them. Hope this information helps. Good Wishes

[RiversW in reply to Jelbea]

Thank you Jelbea. Yes I am on a 7 day patch and they have never lasted 7 days. 5 at best but most of the time only 4. Your comment about being active is interesting. I am very active Perhaps this can be part of the reason the patches don’t last for more than 4 days. Thanks so much. Rivers

[Shir_11 in reply to RiversW]

I do a water aerobics class in chlorinated water for an hour with the patch on 3 times a week with no trouble.

[RiversW in reply to Shir_11]

thanks!