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 :)
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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?
Quote from: Mariah2014 on February 28, 2015, 09:31:18 PM
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.
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
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
Quote from: Janie on February 28, 2015, 09:39:53 PM
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.
Quote from: Mariah2014 on February 28, 2015, 10:03:35 PM
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.
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.
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.
Quote from: Janie on February 28, 2015, 11:57:43 PM
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.
I have been on the Sandoz - Novartis patches for for a month. I only had one that did not want to stick, put it on and put a bandage over it, by evening it was stuck on. I use a little vinegar on the spot where I am putting the patch to clean it, then dry it off and make sure I am sitting when I put them on to avoid wrinkling.
So far I have had good results with them, nipple soreness and breast buds have formed.
I am just finishing up my 3rd week on patches and so far, so good, no problems. I like it cause I only have to remember to change it once a week, so it's easy.
Quote from: rosinstraya on March 01, 2015, 12:54:29 AM
Patches so far so good. One small patch twice a week. No problems with staying on, even in the Australian heat and humidity.
Bet sharks can sense them................
I've been on Estradot patches for almost two years and have been totally happy with them. They are small and don't tend to come off. The low DVT risk with them is well worth it and gives me peace of mnd. The only problem I have is once in a while forgetting to change them because I just forget they are there. i suppose some might find the sticky residue around the edge of the patch that attracts lint to be a hassle. My partner says they look like passport stamps! However, once its warmed up in either the bath or shower it tend to rub of in little balls anyway. I also find that I can usually remove the patch and stick it to a new position at least once.
The Estradots are very good. They stick on fine and stay, even with hot showers. During the winter, anyhow. Will find out how they are throughout the summer days coming up, though. The only bad thing is they leave the red marks in the patches shape. They go away after a couple of weeks or more. I just keep putting them in different places, then on to the old spots again.
Quote from: pollypagan on March 01, 2015, 01:53:05 PM
Bet sharks can sense them................
We have shark-proof windows and nets on the roof to catch the drop bears. Tough work but oh so necessary! ;)
Hey, I just started HRT two days ago on the 4th. Whoot whoot!!!! Anyways, I also wanted to start on injections, but due to current health reasons my Doc felt better starting me on patches and a low dose of spiro pills. I am using the Alora estradiol patch and I like it. It is small and hasn't come off in the shower yet. I have to put one on twice a week so I don't have to remember to take so many pills.
-Iliana