Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey so my doctor has me on these patches and they are just annoyingly big but my question is when i shower the patches will kind of open up and fill with water i see it press it down and then the same happens again will the water getting under the patch ruin the medicine? it doesn't feel sticky at all on the center of the patch like when you first open it i just don't want to keep sticking it back on if its been ruined by the soap and water when i shower anyone know anything about this?


Thanks,

Nicole

I'd believe ththey are ruined. This is not a problem I have with the brand I'm on, estradot. What brand are you on?

I've used the Evorel brand without issue, including, running, swimming, showers and baths.

Looks like the brand the pharmacy gave me is MYLAN  Estradiol system 31 cm patches no one really gave me a choice on what brand i definitely want to check out the estradot looks so much more manageable then what i have now and i also figured the soapy water was not good on the inside of the patch just seems like a waste at the rate i have to change these things out and gets pricey  >:( >:(

I'm stuck with the Mylar patches from my HMO. I have a little ritual I go through at patch change time.

1). Clean the site for the patch with isopropyl alcohol and a tissue

2). Once dry apply the new patch

3). Cut a piece of medical paper tape that's maybe an inch larger than the patch in each direction.

4). Cut a smaller piece of medical paper tape that is just larger than the patch and stick this on the center of the sticky side of the larger piece of medical paper tape.

5). This gives you a cover with a nonsticky area in the middle.  Carefully place this over the Mylan patch so the paper tape covers the patch, but isn't stuck to the patch.

This waterproofs the patch, and gives you a cover that even if lifted by clothing or movement won't lift the patch off.

It is also important to try and avoid putting the patch over any folds or creases in the skin that may appear with movement such as sitting or standing. These tend to lift the patch.

This is all learned knowledge from the school of hard knocks and lost patches. I haven't lost one in the months since I started this drill.


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Quote from: Michelle_P on October 24, 2016, 04:52:14 PM

4). Cut a smaller piece of medical paper tape that is just larger than the patch and stick this on the center of the sticky side of the larger piece of medical paper tape.

5). This gives you a cover with a nonsticky area in the middle.  Carefully place this over the Mylan patch so the paper tape covers the patch, but isn't stuck to the patch.

I'm curious. Why NOT just put a single strip over the patch instead of protecting the patch from the sticky side of the tape?

Laura

Where are you placing them?  I have been using patches for a longish while now and I had an issue with mine (a different brand then yours, Sandoz) when I stuck them to my abdomen and showered.  I started to wear them on my posterior and just wear my tighter bikini when in the bath.  Have not had an issue since.

I have a few friends that have used the really big patches and they are the ones that suggested the panties or bikini.

Michelle has a really great point about preparing the application site with alcohol.  That is something that gets done every 'patch day'.  Be sure to let the area cleaned dry for a bit before sticking the patch on.

Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on October 24, 2016, 07:10:27 PM
I'm curious. Why NOT just put a single strip over the patch instead of protecting the patch from the sticky side of the tape?

Laura

The friction or rubbing of fabric against the skin that would lift the Mylan patch will lift the paper tape occasionally.  If the tape is stuck on the patch it lifts the patch too.  Preventing the tape from sticking to the patch means that when it lifts you don't lift the patch, and the paper tape can be cheaply replaced.

Quote from: Michelle_P on October 24, 2016, 11:30:06 PM
The friction or rubbing of fabric against the skin that would lift the Mylan patch will lift the paper tape occasionally.  If the tape is stuck on the patch it lifts the patch too.  Preventing the tape from sticking to the patch means that when it lifts you don't lift the patch, and the paper tape can be cheaply replaced.

Ahhhhhh...I get it. Thanks for the advice.

Laura

There is product called Tegaderm you can use to cover the patch. It is waterproof yet breathable and comes in different sizes. You can  buy it at the drugstore but it is much cheaper on Amazon.

Quote from: Vendetta on October 24, 2016, 02:15:03 PM
Hey so my doctor has me on these patches and they are just annoyingly big but my question is when i shower the patches will kind of open up and fill with water i see it press it down and then the same happens again will the water getting under the patch ruin the medicine? it doesn't feel sticky at all on the center of the patch like when you first open it i just don't want to keep sticking it back on if its been ruined by the soap and water when i shower anyone know anything about this?


Thanks,

Nicole

Looks like you already figured things out, got great input. I don't know your patch brand but I've yet to hear of a patch that allows for it to separate from your skin or allow water to seep in during usage.

I used Vivelle Dot for about 4 months before switching to weekly injections. Vivelle Dot stuck fairly well and water usually stayed out... if a patch came loose, it was time to replace it. Oh, like others I developed a regime with alcohol to prep and on removal I used oil to remove the adhesive glue which might remain.

You might run things by your doctor who might have suggestions or alternatives. My doc helped me try patches then mentioned the possibility of deep subcutaneous injections ... for me personally injecting once a week instead patch maintenance is far better/easier. 10 minutes and I'm done for the week. But in my case patches were not bringing my levels up so I had other reasons to switch.

Quote from: Ashley3 on October 25, 2016, 04:44:04 AM
Looks like you already figured things out, got great input. I don't know your patch brand but I've yet to hear of a patch that allows for it to separate from your skin or allow water to seep in during usage.

I used Vivelle Dot for about 4 months before switching to weekly injections. Vivelle Dot stuck fairly well and water usually stayed out... if a patch came loose, it was time to replace it. Oh, like others I developed a regime with alcohol to prep and on removal I used oil to remove the adhesive glue which might remain.

You might run things by your doctor who might have suggestions or alternatives. My doc helped me try patches then mentioned the possibility of deep subcutaneous injections ... for me personally injecting once a week instead patch maintenance is far better/easier. 10 minutes and I'm done for the week. But in my case patches were not bringing my levels up so I had other reasons to switch.

Let me say up front I have had no experience with Oestrogen patches however I was on medication patches for other things and they were hopeless for maintaining a consistent level...depending on batch and a whole heap of other factors such as external temp, how much I was sweating, what condition my skin was in, how the patches had been stored all, what part of the body they were applied to, had an impact on how well it was absorbed. To maintain a consistent level, I would at times have two patches on as one patch stopped delivering and another one started...this worked surprisingly well but caused me all sorts of other issues from the drug administrations point of view.

Liz

HI Vendetta,

It sounds like you are using the once-a-week patches, which are, as you say, annoyingly big.  Have your doctor change to your prescription to twice-a-week patches which are significantly smaller.  They also result in less skin irritation since they are only in one place for three or four days instead of seven.

The flank of my buttocks was where I usually placed them. Anywhere on your rear end that won't rub off will do, and will give better absorption than if placed on your abdomen.

I was on Mylan patches for many months, and even using two twice-a-week patches, my blood estradiol levels never got much above 50-60 pg/mL.  As Liz pointed out, absorption cane quite variable from person to person.  Getting them wet will not necessarily "ruin" them, other than preventing good contact with the skin.  Estradiol is more lipid soluble than water soluble.

Hope that helps,

Terri

Thanks for all the input everyone I will definitely start a preparation ritual to see if it helps until I run out out of these patches. I'm the first transgender patient my doctor has had. So I'm guessing I need to speak up more about my preferences in medication i kinda feel like her test subject lol she hasn't had me do any blood testing since I've started hrt should I start pushing for lab tests or is this pretty normal for two months in?

Quote from: Stevie on October 25, 2016, 12:16:23 AM
There is product called Tegaderm you can use to cover the patch. It is waterproof yet breathable and comes in different sizes. You can  buy it at the drugstore but it is much cheaper on Amazon.

I work in the sound world of theatre. I don't like tegaderm but if I have a person who sweats so much that their mic comes loose, it is my last resort. It does work well. However, you want to clean the adhesive completely completely from the skin after or it can leave long term marks. I also know someone who used it and got scars so you have to move the area about(patches usually suggest that anyway).

Good luck.

With warmth,
Joanna