I've been trying to figure out what form of T I would prefer to take, and as much as I like the patch, I had a question I hoped you guys could answer.
I can't use band-aids, but have yet to figure out whether it's the adhesive or the latex. I think it's actually both because I get a reaction either way, it's just worse with normal (vs latex-free) band-aids. I also get BAD reactions to moleskin.

So if it is the adhesive, do the patches use the same/similar type?

Thanks

I'm the same way with adhesives (latex doesn't bother me) so I didn't even really entertain the thought of going on the patch. You wear one for a week at a time. Without even mentioning to my Endo that I have a reaction to most adhesives she volunteered the information that some guys can't wear them long term because of that. Just seems like a hassle (same with gels...hassle). While I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of sticking a needle in myself every week it's a lot less of an annoyance (and WAY cheaper) than other methods, imo.

If you do give the patches a go I'd be interested in knowing how you do with the adhesives in case I do decide to try them one day.

I've heard they're INSANELY expensive without insurance, even compared to gels, so I probably won't use them, but if I do I'll definitely write something about it. I agree about the hassle, but I'd rather deal with the hassle of gels than stick myself with a needle every week/other week. Who knows, maybe I'll completely change my mind by the time I get there though XD

Gels are pretty outrageous without insurance to cover it too. I'm trying to remember and I think the Androgel was $189 a month when I priced it last year. I get my Depo-T vials for $65 and they last 4.5 months. Huge cost difference. I don't think anyone is thrilled about needles but it really isn't as bad as you suspect it will be. I remember the first time I injected myself, I thought it was going to be impossible (I held the syringe for 3 hours and refused to put it down until I did it, lol). If you can get over the mental hurdle of doing it the first few times it gets easier and easier. Good luck with whatever method you choose.

I must have been thinking of a creme, my friend gets it and I believe it's $45 for 2 or 3 months?

I've got a few months to decide, eventually I'll decide whether to deal with needles or money XD the reason I worry about needles is mostly because my needle phobia has steadily gotten worse the past few years.

I'm on the compounding cream and pay $80 for a jar, which right now is going to take 4 months to get thru (though that is unbelievably good-- normally I'd say 2-3 months). The reason the compounding cream is cheaper than Androgel is that it is not made by anybody particularly but made in a compounding pharmacy which adds so much T to the cream base. I don't think there is a patch put together by a compounding pharmacy. I like the cream but you should know that the changes are usually (though not always) slower.

--Jay

I was on patches for 8 weeks. It was unbearable and 2 weeks later I still have red dots on my thighs. I think 66% or so people have skin reactions to patches. http://pi.actavis.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1200&p=pi&language=E section 11 describes the patch materials. If your going transdermal I would use gel/cream because of the reaction of patches. The changes were slow on patches, but I was on the lowest dose possible.

I'm guessing you want patches due to reduced exposer to others. Jay has a video that he posted in another thread that describes how he puts on the cream to reduce exposure risk. Covering up the location and washing your hands should work.

If you have needle phobia you could get a friend to do gluteal IM injections. I think T can be given subQ, which would use a much shorter needle. 

Quote from: Trenton on December 30, 2013, 11:43:22 AM
I was on patches for 8 weeks. It was unbearable and 2 weeks later I still have red dots on my thighs. I think 66% or so people have skin reactions to patches. http://pi.actavis.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1200&p=pi&language=E section 11 describes the patch materials. If your going transdermal I would use gel/cream because of the reaction of patches. The changes were slow on patches, but I was on the lowest dose possible.

I'm guessing you want patches due to reduced exposer to others. Jay has a video that he posted in another thread that describes how he puts on the cream to reduce exposure risk. Covering up the location and washing your hands should work.

If you have needle phobia you could get a friend to do gluteal IM injections. I think T can be given subQ, which would use a much shorter needle.

I'm not sure if you are speaking of this Jay, as there are a few of us out there. But I did a video on t-cream a long time ago. Should probably update this. But anyway, I'll put it up here again and so people can all listen to my high voice.
I know there are warnings. But I know of several people with spouses and small children on t-cream with no issues. The place I would put it on in that situation is not where I put it on. My pharmacist told me to do the inside of my lower arms. I think that spot is good as it has a lot of veins and so on and little hair. But the guys I know who have the exposure problems usually put it on the shoulders. After they rub it in they put a t-shirt on. It's still good as there isn't much fat there.

I also know someone who did patches and didn't care for it, and also had a skin reaction. Perhaps it's why they aren't more prescribed.

SubQ is *sometimes* easier for guys with needle phobia. You have to find a doctor who knows the protocol or will learn it (without the help of big drug companies). Transguys.com did an article and there might be a reference in it, so I'll just provide the link here:
http://transguys.com/ref/research/subcutaneous-injections
Some guys with needle issues do NOT like subQ because it is a. still a needle and b. some people think it is stingier. But it is a MUCH smaller needle which some people do like and some people do have an easier time injected subcutaneously.


--Jay

I prefer to take injections, however, if you for some reason want to use the patch but the adhesive is an issue for you there is an option. My niece is a PCA and she was just telling me last week about how she has to help the person she cares for by putting some patches on her for medication but the person is allergic to latex and almost all adhesives so theres a type of barrier that my niece has to trim down first and apply, then put the patch over the top of it being careful not to let any edges of the original patch adhesive come in contact with he skin. I don't recall what my niece said that barrier was but if you talk to your Dr or better yet a pharmacist, I'm sure they will be able to tell you.

Quote from: overdrive on December 30, 2013, 01:42:22 PM
I prefer to take injections, however, if you for some reason want to use the patch but the adhesive is an issue for you there is an option. My niece is a PCA and she was just telling me last week about how she has to help the person she cares for by putting some patches on her for medication but the person is allergic to latex and almost all adhesives so theres a type of barrier that my niece has to trim down first and apply, then put the patch over the top of it being careful not to let any edges of the original patch adhesive come in contact with he skin. I don't recall what my niece said that barrier was but if you talk to your Dr or better yet a pharmacist, I'm sure they will be able to tell you.

That seems like a pretty intriguing idea, but wouldn't that interfere with the skin absorbing the T?

Quote from: CursedFireDean on December 30, 2013, 01:48:20 PM
That seems like a pretty intriguing idea, but wouldn't that interfere with the skin absorbing the T?

I thought the same thing, but apparently not since my nieces patient was prescribed this and is required to use it whenever applying the patches to her patient. I can ask her more about it next time I talk to her.

I just talked to my niece about this. She said she has done a couple different ways depending on the medication and the patient, apparently she has had patients before with latex allergies, adhesive allergies and both.

1) Use a skin barrier wipe, apply the patch, then apply a tegaderm film over the patch. The top tegaderm film was placed because this particular patient had both adhesive and latex allergies so they needed to make sure neither the inside nor the outside of the patch came in contact with skin directly.

2) Use tegaderm cream under the patch. This was done for a patient that just had an allergy to the adhesive. My niece tells me that this same patient had two different medicated patches. One had adhesive under the entire patch so they used tegaderm cream. One had adhesive around the edges but not in the middle where the medication was so they used the tegaderm film cut the same, then applied the patch over the top.

One thing she did mention is that if using a skin barrier or cream under the entire patch it will affect the absorbency rate to some degree. In the cases of these patients they adjusted their dosages accordingly. Some skin barriers made little difference to the amount of medication while others made a huge difference. She didn't recall the names of all the different skin barrier wipes she had used but she did remember that the tegaderm cream seemed to almost halve the dosage absorbed while some others were negligible.

So if the patch is a method you want to pursue then discuss this with your doctor and they may go the same route and prescribe an higher dosage if needed. As they do regular blood monitoring when starting testosterone then it may be an option. I have never personally used any of these methods nor have I ever used a testosterone patch so I can't give personal information just providing feedback from a conversation my niece relayed to me about how she handles similar situations with her patients.

Quote from: overdrive on December 30, 2013, 02:59:46 PM
I just talked to my niece about this. She said she has done a couple different ways depending on the medication and the patient, apparently she has had patients before with latex allergies, adhesive allergies and both.

1) Use a skin barrier wipe, apply the patch, then apply a tegaderm film over the patch. The top tegaderm film was placed because this particular patient had both adhesive and latex allergies so they needed to make sure neither the inside nor the outside of the patch came in contact with skin directly.

2) Use tegaderm cream under the patch. This was done for a patient that just had an allergy to the adhesive. My niece tells me that this same patient had two different medicated patches. One had adhesive under the entire patch so they used tegaderm cream. One had adhesive around the edges but not in the middle where the medication was so they used the tegaderm film cut the same, then applied the patch over the top.

One thing she did mention is that if using a skin barrier or cream under the entire patch it will affect the absorbency rate to some degree. In the cases of these patients they adjusted their dosages accordingly. Some skin barriers made little difference to the amount of medication while others made a huge difference. She didn't recall the names of all the different skin barrier wipes she had used but she did remember that the tegaderm cream seemed to almost halve the dosage absorbed while some others were negligible.

So if the patch is a method you want to pursue then discuss this with your doctor and they may go the same route and prescribe an higher dosage if needed. As they do regular blood monitoring when starting testosterone then it may be an option. I have never personally used any of these methods nor have I ever used a testosterone patch so I can't give personal information just providing feedback from a conversation my niece relayed to me about how she handles similar situations with her patients.

That's definitely really interesting, I'll be sure to ask my doctor about it.