So, I'm supposed to use 2 Estraderm patches per week, getting 3.5 days out of each patch. But, I'm having trouble getting them to stay in place. I really think that I should be showering more than twice a week. And it seems that its showering when they really start to peel off.
It said to use a hair-free part of the body. Well, that's a challenge at present, but the place that seems to work the best is the inner part of my upper arm. But after about the second day, I need to wrap an ACE bandage around my arm to hold the patch in place.
Does anyone have any better ideas?
When I was on the patches I had the same problem. I took to placeing a bandaid over the patch to keep it in place. Worked rather well. Thing is you need to get good bandaids, not the cheap ones. They will fall off if you get the cheep ones.
Are you sure that you can put them on your ARMS? I used patches for years and the directions always said to never put them above the waist. "immediately after removal of the protective release liner the patch should be applied to an area of clean, dry, and intact skin.
The site selected should be one at which little wrinkling of the skin occurs during movement of the body, e.g. buttock, hip, or abdomen, and which is not exposed to sunlight i.e. those areas normally covered by clothing.
Experience to date has shown that less irritation of the skin occurs on the buttock than at other sites of application. It is therefore recommended to apply the patch to the buttock.
The area of skin should be nongreasy and free of irritation" I copied this from the estaderm manufacturers directions from an online place. I found the the butt worked best, below the panty line so it doesn't rub. Also, Hot showers, sweating, etc. can work against you. I live in Florida, US and never lost one. Is Estraderm one of those that is kind of "squishy" from a supply of liquid in the patch itself? There are MUCH better ones that are thinner, and have the drug fully contained in the matrix. They lay flatter and don't grab on your clothing. Maybe your doctor can switch you, if your answer to the above question is yes. Good luck.
I got sick of always having to scrub of the ring of dirt and lint that the patchs develop around the edges. I had to use spirit gum remover a few times when I forgot them and they stayed in place longer than needed.
So I switched to bi monthly injections. Sucks for a few seconds then I can forget about HRT for anouther 2 weeks.
Hmm, if it's supposed to go on my backside (forgive me if this is TMI), I'll have to shave. A lot. I didn't see that bit about not being above the waist in the documents I got with it. I'll have to go back and check again.
And, I guess I'll start buying better band-aids.
Gaff tape, but that's my answer for everything.
I really think that I should be showering more than twice a week.
Everybody needs to shower more than twice a week.
It said to use a hair-free part of the body.
Perhaps if you apply it directly to the forhead, like Head-ON
And it seems that its showering when they really start to peel off.
Try wrapping the area with saran wrap (just that area, a few strips to seal out the water, like an arm band, don't go getting all Sensuous Housewife on us)
I had briefly considered duct tape, myself. But thanks anyway, Kat.
My doctor told me to place them below the belly button and above the belt line to one side. Those areas are relativly hair free and don't see alot of movement.
Gaff tape is superior to Duct tape in every regard save one.
But the saran wrap, and perhaps some first aid tape... can you take it off and put it back on? Guess not. Our backstage passes are like that, stick only once glue. A drug store might have some achieve that is non-toxic, make sure though, most adhesives are in fact highly toxic.
Quote from: cynthialee on June 28, 2011, 11:21:15 AM
My doctor told me to place them below the belly button and above the belt line to one side. Those areas are relativly hair free and don't see alot of movement.
I have a VAST amount of hair there. I can shave and have spiky stubble the next day. In fact, I can wreck a Fusion 5-blade razor cartridge in a week. Maybe I can try on my hip below the belt line. My hair is much finer there.
Quote from: tekla on June 28, 2011, 11:42:36 AM
Gaff tape is superior to Duct tape in every regard save one.
But the saran wrap, and perhaps some first aid tape... can you take it off and put it back on? Guess not. Our backstage passes are like that, stick only once glue. A drug store might have some achieve that is non-toxic, make sure though, most adhesives are in fact highly toxic.
I'll be careful with the adhesives. Thanks, Kat.
Hi Shades
I know the problem, but since i use the estrodermplasters called system the problems are solved.
No problem with swimming, shower, i even tried it in the hot tub, but it stays where it was.
It's available in different strongst, system50, system100 etc.
I put it on my butt and after 3 days i peel it off.
You only have to take care that the skin is dry and clean.
It looks better than ducktape or gafftape, but i always like the replies of Tekla (makes me smile)
I hope it's the answer to your problem too.
Hugs
Annette
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on June 28, 2011, 08:49:15 AM
So, I'm supposed to use 2 Estraderm patches per week, getting 3.5 days out of each patch. But, I'm having trouble getting them to stay in place. I really think that I should be showering more than twice a week. And it seems that its showering when they really start to peel off.
It said to use a hair-free part of the body. Well, that's a challenge at present, but the place that seems to work the best is the inner part of my upper arm. But after about the second day, I need to wrap an ACE bandage around my arm to hold the patch in place.
Does anyone have any better ideas?
Estraderm patches are a waste of time and money. Try Evorel patches, they stay on!
I had trouble with the patches staying on, particularly after a shower. I switched to a gel. You have to put it on daily but it isn't any trouble.
Julie
The problem with a daily gel is that you need to be careful to not cross contaminate your loved ones and or pets with the gel. When you put it on sex is off limits for a few hours and you have to be sure to properly wash your hands.
I'm using sticky pasters to keep my patches in place because my skin gets so damp in all this summer we're having and so they've gone from being able to last longer than a week to not even lasting a day, and its ruining my skin too :( it's horrible and blotchy and yuck to look at and there's a considerable reduction in skin sensitivity on the area after a patch has been removed for maybe a month until new skin cells replace the old ones.