E patches

[Joanna317]

Hi I'm going to start estrogen patches that I was prescribed next week and would like to know if anybody has had experience with these. If so do they work well? I'm starting my first month HRT with just the E patches and then the androgen blockers will be prescribed. Thanks in advance

[Cindy]

Hi Janie,

I'm told that patches are good but can be difficult to keep them stuck on. Some of the girls who use them will be on shortly. Starting E first and AA later is pretty standard.

Hugs

[Leila]

I've been on patches for about a year, but the experiences of using patches can vary depending on where and how they are attached, as well as the brand (size and stickiness), and your own suitability for using them.

I've had good development from using patches, however I've also had some minor issues using them too. I had skin reactions from using them ranging from cuts where the patch creases up and creates a sharp point where it has dug in, to rashes when placing them on skin that has had a propensity to sweat more. Over time I've learnt where on my body I should place the patches to avoid/minimise these conditions and with massive patches it doesn't leave many places to stick them. Despite these minor setbacks I would prefer them over using pills, as I was forever forgetting to take my pills regularly.

[pollypagan]

I was on patches for about 6 months with no problem then suddenly developed an extreme reaction. I have now been in gel for 14 months with no problems; apart from the 30 minutes or so of goo and stickiness every day.

[jenifer_n]

I started on generic (Mylan) once a week patches and hated them - they were huge (2+ inch diameter) and would not stay on at all - take a bath it would fall off - shower? fall off - sweat a little - fall off - sun shower outside? - fall off - then - on the rare instance when it stayed on for a week it would leave a huge red nasty rash that would take weeks to subside - switched to Vivelle (2 per week) after a couple of months and have been in heaven ever since - they are small (about 1 sq in) and they stay on through sweat and showers - haven't had any rashes from them but the adhesive is a little harder to remove - a little baby oil on a cotton ball helps to cut through it - downside of course is the extra cost of name brand versus generic - the peace of mind that they bring is worth it to me though

jenifer

[Jenna Marie]

I'm another who used the Mylan generic (for Climara) and had the same issues - huge, fell off easily, left skin irritation and rashes - and switched to Vivelle. I too have loved the Vivelle Dot; they're convenient, comfortable, so small and clear they're barely visible, and stay stuck on tightly with no fussing. Plus they're *intended* to be changed twice a week, so no arguing with pharmacists about wanting twice as many boxes of patches per month as they expect.

Best of all, when I got my refill this month, the Vivelle is ALSO coming in a generic.   $15 copay instead of $50 for me, and the generic is produced by the same manufacturer who made the originals (Novartis) so it's utterly identical. I think it's because Novartis has come up with "Minivelle" as the replacement that they can charge full price for, so they're willing to make their own generics for the "old" one. Brand-name Climara was supposedly much better than the generic, so this is a huge deal; the generics can be made very badly, apparently.

[jenifer_n]

Jenna

where did you hear that Novartis is making the generic - my understanding is that Mylan is the one that got approval to make the vivelle generic and unfortunately they make that other generic also - will just have to see how things go and maybe try the generic once to find out

jenifer

[Jenna Marie]

Jennifer : As I said, that's what I got when I got my prescription refill this month.   I haven't seen it on the news anywhere or anything, but the pharmacy handed me a box labeled as generic and priced at $15 that listed Novartis as the manufacturer and the patches inside were identical to the Vivelle Dot I still have.

Actually, I went and looked more closely at the box; it says "by Sandoz, a Novartis company." Which presumably fits with this : https://www.sandoz.com/media_center/press_releases_news/global_news/2014_12_22_Sandoz_launches_authorized_generic_version_of_Vivelle-Dot.shtml

Yes, I will NOT accept a Mylan generic; in fact, I demanded that they show me the box so I could see who made it before I'd OK the generic substitution.

[jenifer_n]

I am with you on that Jenna - I was not a happy camper with those Mylan patches - I still have 2 months worth of Vivelle's from my last prescription so I will have to see what happens after my next endo visit - I will keep my fingers and toes crossed

jenifer

[jenifer_n]

Thank you for double checking Jenna - At least I know what to look for if they try and give them to me

be well
jenifer

[Jenna Marie]

I'm glad to help, since for me it's Novartis all the way.  

Oh, and I forgot to add, I've been on patches alone all along (no AA) and done well, too.

[jenifer_n]

I have been E only also Jenna although I would like to get my T down more - I do have HBP which is controlled by medication by my GP so my endo has not wanted to mess with that while my old GP didn't want to change anything - Will be starting with a different GP next month and will have a discussion about changing some things - Hopefully - Would like to get one of my current HBP meds swapped out for an AA and maybe get some finasteride to help fight off the thinning hair

be well
jenifer

[Mariah]

I was on the patches for 6 weeks before switching to injections. I just couldn't get the patches to stay on as well as they should. The my sensitivity to the adhesive also was a problem too. Good Luck
Mariah

[Joanna317]

Awesome thanks for the info everone. So do I get to choose the brand at the pharmacy when picking up the patches? Or is that something the Endo handles?

[Joanna317]

I was on the patches for 6 weeks before switching to injections. I just couldn't get the patches to stay on as well as they should. The my sensitivity to the adhesive also was a problem too. Good Luck
Mariah

How are injections working for you btw Mariah? That is what I wanted to start off with , but my Endo doesn't do shots. I might consider a new Endo who does do shots in time though.

[jenifer_n]

Janie

My original prescription from the endo was for generic estradiol transdermal patch hence I was given the Mylan at the pharmacy - with all the problems I had with those I did the research and found the Vivelle info and gave that to the endo to write up a new script - he had no problems writing it but did ask me to give him feedback about them - fortunately they have worked fabulously at staying where they are put - in the year I've been using them I have only had one that didn't stick right and none have given me the rashes that the Mylan caused

jenifer

[Mariah]

My body has responded well so far. If I could change anything I would have started with injections when I first started. If it wasn't for one injectable not being available we would have found the right dose before now. Due know that you can tend to have peaks and valleys with them especially on a certain number of days apart. I did at first tell the frequency was changed by the Endo. If your Endo isn't working out for you certainly consider another. Is there a reason this one doesn't prescribe injections?
Mariah

How are injections working for you btw Mariah? That is what I wanted to start off with , but my Endo doesn't do shots. I might consider a new Endo who does do shots in time though.

[Joanna317]

My body has responded well so far. If I could change anything I would have started with injections when I first started. If it wasn't for one injectable not being available we would have found the right dose before now. Due know that you can tend to have peaks and valleys with them especially on a certain number of days apart. I did at first tell the frequency was changed by the Endo. If your Endo isn't working out for you certainly consider another. Is there a reason this one doesn't prescribe injections?
Mariah

My endo did not have a reason for not prescribing shots, but I'm guessing it is because she specializes in Diabeties patients. She does have a couple transgender patients and told me that 2 years ago a guideline started for Endos to follow for transgender patients. Though I am only about 20miles from L.A so I'm considering maybe just finding a place that really specializes with transgender patients. I heard of one place in L.A that injects a pellet that continously puts out a certain amount of estrogen. Interesting with all the methods available for HRT.

[rosinstraya]

Patches so far so good. One small patch twice a week. No problems with staying on, even in the Australian heat and humidity. Will see we we are with next visit to the endo in a month. Will probably go onto implants eventually, all being well.

[Mariah]

All the Endo's where I live specialize in diabetes patients. The one Endo in Spokane who does see transgender patients is also buried in diabetes cases so the wait was so long just to even here anything from them so I had to head over to the west side of the state for my Endo where the larger concentration of transgender patients are located. I wish I was 20 miles away from anything it sure is better than 2.5 or more hours to the closest.
Mariah.

My endo did not have a reason for not prescribing shots, but I'm guessing it is because she specializes in Diabeties patients. She does have a couple transgender patients and told me that 2 years ago a guideline started for Endos to follow for transgender patients. Though I am only about 20miles from L.A so I'm considering maybe just finding a place that really specializes with transgender patients. I heard of one place in L.A that injects a pellet that continously puts out a certain amount of estrogen. Interesting with all the methods available for HRT.