Any Body Using Patches ?..... Help!

[paulault55]

My Endo prescribed Estraderm patches that i have to change twice a week, i applied my first one Thursday and my problem seems to be that the fuzzy gray stuff from the inside of my sweatshirt or sweatpants gets around and under the edge of the patch and the edges are starting to lift, just two days after applying it, before i put the patch on i made sure the area was hair free, used a scrubber to clean the skin then alcohol to remove residue, i applied the patch just above my waistline on my stomoch. Any ideas or suggestions as best placement, the directions says on the butt but says to experiment, any ideas to how to keep the patch on longer and clean. I did do a search but didn't see anything specific to my problem.

Paula.

[Mister]

Hi Paula.

I don't use HRT patches, but I use pain patches and used to have the same problem.

Here's how I do it.

1.) Shave a rectangle on the area where the patch is going to be applied (may or may not be applicable to you).

2.) Apply patch.

3.) Cover edges of patch with waterproof medical tape.

Try that.

[Lisbeth]

i applied the patch just above my waistline on my stomoch.

Bad location. They should be below your waist band so your underwear can help hold it in place. If it continues to come loose, use skin tape to help secure it. Some brands of patches are notorious for coming off. You are generally better using a name brand rather than generic. I am using Vivelle-Dot, and they work quite well.

[Ms.Behavin]

I've been wearing patches for about 2 years.  I tried to place them below the panty line at first, but found that droping ones panties would pull the patch off sometimes.  I moved the patch to below the ribcage and above the waist as there is less skin movement there and I've not had a problem since. 

Beni

[Hannah]

Do we know why exactly they can't be worn on the chest/arms? Is it a risk of side effect that might not apply to us? When I quit smoking a bra held my nicotine patch snugly in place on my chest, and the upper arm seems like another good and way more comfortable spot. I started wearing these things the other day too and I absolutely, positively hate it. It won't stay on so I have this big patch of surgical tape holding it on and it's just hideous. The only reason I'm using them is because I'm so scared of dvt, but at this point I'm about to throw them away and accept the higher risk of more pills.

[Valerie Elizabeth]

Do we know why exactly they can't be worn on the chest/arms? Is it a risk of side effect that might not apply to us? When I quit smoking a bra held my nicotine patch snugly in place on my chest, and the upper arm seems like another good and way more comfortable spot. I started wearing these things the other day too and I absolutely, positively hate it. It won't stay on so I have this big patch of surgical tape holding it on and it's just hideous. The only reason I'm using them is because I'm so scared of dvt, but at this point I'm about to throw them away and accept the higher risk of more pills.

I really want to know this too.

[sd]

Due to breast cancer risk, they should be as far from the breast as possible was what my mother was told about hers. Others have been told similar.

[Lisbeth]

Due to breast cancer risk, they should be as far from the breast as possible was what my mother was told about hers. Others have been told similar.

I don't know whether that is true or not, but I do know that when you get water under them you can get these really ugly painful sores that I wouldn't want to have on my boobs.

[paulault55]

Thanks everyone for your replies, i found a great solution that as been working great so far, i bought Nexcare Tegaderm pads at the drugstore and tried those and they worked great except that they have a white pad in the middle so i went online to 3m site and bought a Tegaderm roll 11 yards worth, and cut it big enough to cover the patch, problem solved. The roll was expensive about $47.00 but i figured it's going to last over 60 weeks with changing patches twice a week, so the cost per month is around $.75 a month, not bad actually.

Paula.

[imaz]

Due to breast cancer risk, they should be as far from the breast as possible was what my mother was told about hers. Others have been told similar.

I heard that was just the producers trying to avoid possible litigation?

Anyway patches are a real pain, gel is much easier and more pleasant to use.

[paulault55]

Before i started seeing my Endo i self medicated and used gel, and was getting good results, he recommended i try the patch, being on patches for a couple weeks now my breasts are more tender than they were on gel.

[Hazumu]

I've used:

Climara - lousy, they 'delaminate' after two days, then you have to peel them off, let them dry, then re-apply.  but at 7 days, you'll probably have to dry them out every day once they unstick the first time.

Alora - Like Climara, but you apply them 3 / 4 days (2 applications a week).  And like Climara, they delaminate and have to be dried and reapplied.  They're the 'free' transdermals provided by my HMO's prescription benefits -- and worth every penny!

Vivelle - THE BEST! THE MOST EXPENSIVE!  They are the smallest area, and they mostly stay stuck for 4 days through showers and BATHS!  Best if you choose a place that isn't prone to folding/wrinkling/stretching.  They can come loose, but mostly from mechanical stresses.

Estradot - The european version of Vivelle, and just as good.  I get mine with a 'scrip through CanadaDrugs.com.  Be aware, though, I had U.S. customs steal one order, which CanadaDrugs replaced no charge (the product is shopped from Sheffield, UK)

Legal notice:  All my meds are obtained under medical supervision with a doctor's 'scrip.  So should you.

Karen

[FairyGirl]

hmmm I am curious about the significance of using patches on different locations. I was prescribe patches to be applied "to hairless area on upper arms twice weekly". The drug fact sheet says "apply to an area of clean, dry skin on the lower stomach or the top of the buttocks". Of course the fact sheet also says one patch a week instead of the two my doctor prescribed. The problem is I think I am going to run out of places on my upper arms since the same place can't be used for at least a week! I was just wondering what difference the location makes. 

[Ms.Behavin]

actually not all that much.  Other then the bottoms of the feet, and palms, amost any area will do.  Main think is to avoid areas that flex alot as the patch and wrinkle a bit and separate

Beni

[FairyGirl]

that's good to know. I was thinking of maybe trying it like the fact sheet suggests. Thank you 

[paulault55]

Since i last posted using the Tegaderm to cover the patch works great, however i think I'm allergic to the stickey stuff that holds the Estraderm patch on, i have had a slight red oval shape on my skin when i remove it, but it goes away in a few days, if it continues I'll contact my Endo and see if i can try another brand or something.

Paula.

[Ms.Behavin]

I think that's pretty normal, or at least for me too.  That's why you alternate the locations as the skin gets mildly inratated with the HRT doasge. 

Beni

[GinaDouglas]

I have used Climara for 18 months, and I find them to be pretty good.  However, if they get wet on the underneath, they never stick well again.  I just take my patch off before a bath, and put it back on the next morning.  On the rare occaisions that one doesn't re-stick, I just put regular cloth medical tape over it to hold it on.

According to the Physicians' Desk Reference, studies have shown that the hormone is absorbed best by the body if the patch is placed on the upper buttock, and second best if it is placed on the lower abdomen.  You can reference this book at your public library, and see the diagrams of exactly where to place the patches.

Estrogen applied to the boobs is a difficult issue.  There is no doubt than when you apply estrogen topically, it is absorbed more near the application site.  That is why women with vaginal degeneration (after menopause) apply estrogen inside the vagina.  It is pretty clear that applying estrogen directly to the breasts stimulates breast growth.  However the kind of rapid growth that is stimulated is the kind that can lead to cancerous growth.  So, it's a risk/reward situation, and my personal decision is to apply Estrogel twice a week directly to my breasts, to stimulate growth and nipple growth.  If I wind up with cancer, to me it was worth the risk.  But I am 48 now, and time is more of a factor for me.  If I was 28, I wouldn't risk it.

[paulault55]

The patch issue was resolved last week, my Endo switched me to Estradiol pills, he wants to see me in July instead of August to make sure I'm doing ok on them.

Paula

[FairyGirl]

yeah, I was thinking of asking my endo if I could switch to subligual for the same reason- after removing a patch I always have a red spot that can last for days. Please let us know how the pills work out