Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Just Ole Me on July 25, 2014, 10:39:39 PM

Title: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Just Ole Me on July 25, 2014, 10:39:39 PM
I'm on oral Spiro and transdermal estradiol. See slow results. Endo said I can wait h go injections. I like the patch but wonder if anyone out there has had great results from just Spiro and patches?  I've seen some amazing transitions but a lot note injections.

Help!

Kay
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: stephaniec on July 25, 2014, 10:45:12 PM
I do spiro and patches. works pretty good
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: mrs izzy on July 25, 2014, 10:52:34 PM
Done oral,patch,gel,injectable.

Injectable is convenience but hurts to take the shot.

On patch now due to my not so young age LOL and hard to get injectable in Canada. Anyway patch does not hurt.

As long as the doses will support female levels thing should be good to go with patches or even gel.

Izzy
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jenna Marie on July 25, 2014, 10:58:49 PM
I've been on very low dose patch only (no AAs) from day 1. I am a curvy 42DDD (B cup by month 2) and couldn't successfully pass as male using my old ID at the six-month mark. :) I think I'm a statistical outlier, but yeah, I'd say I've had fantastic results on patches.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: TaoRaven on July 25, 2014, 11:01:20 PM
I love my patches :-)  Totally satisfied with my progress so far.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Northern Jane on July 26, 2014, 05:31:11 PM
My endo is somewhat of an expert in the area of hormones and she ONLY prescribes the patch but she adjusts the strength of the patch to get "normal female blood serum levels" of E. Of course I am post-op so that may be different.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jessica Merriman on July 26, 2014, 05:36:10 PM
I got tired of slow results and patches that fell off when it is hot and humid. I changed to injections and WOW the results were very dramatic and immediately noticeable. Now it is only one injection a week with no patch issue's. I am on injectable Progesterone as well along with oral Spiro. I would not change my current regimen for anything.  :)
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jill E on July 26, 2014, 05:47:06 PM
I love the patches.  (: When i first started i found that by the end of the week my E level would start getting a bit low, and I was getting hot flashes and headaches. so, my endo changed my prescription to swapping the patch twice a week.

I'm also on Spiro and finasteride.

Has your endo checked your levels recently?
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Brenda E on July 26, 2014, 09:13:45 PM
Patches are working well for me so far.  Cheap, convenient, but they do take a little care in order to keep in place for the entire week.  Not as sticky as they should be.  If the progress so far is anything to go by, the pace of transition shouldn't be a problem, but I'm in no hurry right now.

No huge complaints, in other words.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: stephaniec on July 26, 2014, 09:24:14 PM
Quote from: Brenda E on July 26, 2014, 09:13:45 PM
Patches are working well for me so far.  Cheap, convenient, but they do take a little care in order to keep in place for the entire week.  Not as sticky as they should be.  If the progress so far is anything to go by, the pace of transition shouldn't be a problem, but I'm in no hurry right now.

No huge complaints, in other words.
I found that eye lash adhesive around the edges can help if they come off
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: TaoRaven on July 26, 2014, 09:36:07 PM
Huh...I have never had one fall off...or even get loose. In fact, it's a bit of a chore to get them off each Friday when I put a new one on.

I hear they are also more effective when placed on the buttocks as well. I started putting them there a few months ago....not sure if it makes a difference or not though.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: FrancisAnn on July 26, 2014, 09:43:46 PM
I'm on spiro & little dot patches. It's easy & seems to be safe & just fine for me.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: kariann330 on July 26, 2014, 09:48:26 PM
Not on patches but am also considering them and am wondering, can they be worn on the hip so that my underwear can help keep them on? I know its a more sensitive area cuz I used to put my patches there when trying to quit smoking but gave up on them lol.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: stephaniec on July 26, 2014, 09:48:57 PM
Quote from: TaoRaven on July 26, 2014, 09:36:07 PM
Huh...I have never had one fall off...or even get loose. In fact, it's a bit of a chore to get them off each Friday when I put a new one on.

I hear they are also more effective when placed on the buttocks as well. I started putting them there a few months ago....not sure if it makes a difference or not though.
I put them on my hips , but  always thought they would come off if I sat on them for long periods and moved around
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: jennifer356 on July 26, 2014, 09:58:20 PM
I started with the Mylan once a week patch and it was constantly falling off and when it did stay on it caused a nasty rash - I asked the endo to change me over to Vivelle twice a week patches and have not problems with them falling off or causing any irritation - Getting them off and removing the adhesive from the skin however can be adventurous

be well
jennifer
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Brenda E on July 26, 2014, 10:08:08 PM
Quote from: stephaniec on July 26, 2014, 09:24:14 PM
I found that eye lash adhesive around the edges can help if they come off

Cool tip!  I think I have some of that somewhere, and I'll give it a try.

Thanks!
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Just Ole Me on July 26, 2014, 10:34:06 PM
Quote from: jennifer356 on July 26, 2014, 09:58:20 PM
I started with the Mylan once a week patch and it was constantly falling off and when it did stay on it caused a nasty rash - I asked the endo to change me over to Vivelle twice a week patches and have not problems with them falling off or causing any irritation - Getting them off and removing the adhesive from the skin however can be adventurous

be well
jennifer

Same here. Mylan weekly world come off and I looked like an octopus had suctioned me. Changed to Viville twice as weeks and they stick great and no red marks. They cost more but soooooo worth it.

Hugs

Kay
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Just Ole Me on July 26, 2014, 10:35:50 PM
Quote from: Jill E on July 26, 2014, 05:47:06 PM
I love the patches.  (: When i first started i found that by the end of the week my E level would start getting a bit low, and I was getting hot flashes and headaches. so, my endo changed my prescription to swapping the patch twice a week.

I'm also on Spiro and finasteride.

Has your endo checked your levels recently?

Ya she just bumped me up to the next level patch as my estrogen was only 47 on my last bloodwork and  she wants it over 100.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Monkeymel on July 26, 2014, 11:13:21 PM
Patches worked well for me; placed around pelvis just below underwear line. Be careful not to have underwear which moves much as that can rub the patch off. I also found removing them after 3 days often left the skin feeling uncomfortable / reddish inflamed. Leaving the patch for 5-6 days allows it to fall off naturally. Left side replaced Wednesdays. Right side Sundays. Levels were perfect...
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jill E on July 27, 2014, 01:17:07 AM
Quote from: Just Ole Me on July 26, 2014, 10:35:50 PM
Ya she just bumped me up to the next level patch as my estrogen was only 47 on my last bloodwork and  she wants it over 100.

I had the same problem at the beginning. My E was around 50 for the first 3 months. As soon an my levels got into the normal range better results followed shortly after. I'm now around 150-200 depending on the day.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: crowcrow223 on July 27, 2014, 06:27:25 AM
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on July 26, 2014, 05:36:10 PM
I got tired of slow results and patches that fell off when it is hot and humid. I changed to injections and WOW the results were very dramatic and immediately noticeable. Now it is only one injection a week with no patch issue's. I am on injectable Progesterone as well along with oral Spiro. I would not change my current regimen for anything.  :)

So you're taking oral spiro, getting injected progesterone, and no e? thanks, x
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: AnnaCannibal on July 27, 2014, 08:03:58 AM
  Vivele Dot seems to me to be the best patches in terms of staying stuck to you.  I haven't had a problem yet.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jessica Merriman on July 27, 2014, 08:30:20 AM
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 27, 2014, 06:27:25 AM
So you're taking oral spiro, getting injected progesterone, and no e? thanks, x
Yes I am. Sorry it was not clear enough.  :)
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: crowcrow223 on July 27, 2014, 08:45:25 AM
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on July 27, 2014, 08:30:20 AM
Yes I am. Sorry it was not clear enough.  :)

Don't worry Jessica <3 That's completely fine :)
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Jenna Marie on July 27, 2014, 10:17:44 AM
I'm another vote for Vivelle Dot, too. :) I also started on generics, and those things were HUGE and wouldn't stick, as others have said. Vivelle is tiny and sticks perfectly, and works just as well. (It's also packaged by the drug company to be changed twice weekly - that is, a month's supply is 8 in a box - so my insurance company stopped fussing that I was getting "too many patches per prescription.") I'm lucky enough to need to only use one patch at a time, so it's easy to find a place to put it.
Title: Re: HRT via Transdermal Patches
Post by: Stochastic on July 27, 2014, 09:57:22 PM
Have only been on patches for about four months now, so I am not much help in regard to the OP question. My wife has been using generic patches, and she has had a terrible time with them coming off. I learned a trick from her when it comes to using Nexcare absolute waterproof tape to secure the patches. She uses quite a bit to cover her generic patch, and I use a tiny strip to barely cover my Vivelle patch. Too long and the tape tends to bunch. The ads says it is waterproof, breathable, and sticks when wet. I have been outside in the heat a lot this summer and only had one time where it peeled off.