Thanks, I got hit for $520 for my last simple blood test, yuck. Maybe these patches will not itch, I sure hope so. Before I use the same locations pretty much, maybe that's what caused the trouble. I still want an implant so it's just not something to deal with every day. Maybe soon.

Quote from: FrancisAnn on July 13, 2015, 06:30:27 AM
I so wish there were some better way. I see my doc Thursday. I'm going to ask about implants again. I do not want to go through life dealing with patches or pills if I can help it. Patches gave me fits itching, red areas, know pills are not safe in the long run. Yuck. Good luck to us all.

Concerning patches, you might have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1688205.html#msg1688205

QuoteMaybe an implant is right but I hear a lot of bad stories about pellet implants. I do not need more trouble. I've had a plenty healing up from surgeries.

Well what kind of stories did you hear ?
Pellet implants of bioidentical estrogen are considered one of the best methods of delivery.
They deliver a steady dose, no seesaw pattern, over a longer time without further hassle.
Available are bioidentical estrogen, bioidentical progesterone and a low dose of t after srs.
There is even one form of hrt where bioidentical estrogen alone is enough to drive e well into the female range and t down into the female range as well, without further anti androgens. This usually works only with implants and injections.
You can look up experiences of others on susans, many are very happy.

Many stories people hear might be due to non bioidentical forms, both estrogen and progesterone. Side effects on liver etc are much different in synthetic forms, bioidentical ones are supposed to be safer. This is shown by studies.

hugs

Thanks, I only have one good friend that had implants for E, she had some trouble & stopped. I'll ask my doc on my next visit. The patches worked for a long time then started itching. I think it was from me using the same areas. Thank you so much for your time, you are more knowledgable than me, I just want some E that works & is safe.

I've used estradot & climara for well over a year, like the dot ones, small, last well. I just got tired of every 3-4 days swapping, tried big climara, they worked ok for a while but I used the same areas, bet that was the problem, thanks again. Climara are on now, maybe no trouble for a while, that will be a refief, I have a big supply.

Quote from: FrancisAnn on July 13, 2015, 10:51:01 AM
Thanks, I only have one good friend that had implants for E, she had some trouble & stopped. I'll ask my doc on my next visit. The patches worked for a long time then started itching. I think it was from me using the same areas. Thank you so much for your time, you are more knowledgable than me, I just want some E that works & is safe.

Imo implants are one of the best solutions. You might ask for bioidentical estrogen.
An implant lasts about 4-6 months usually.
They dissolve on their own.

hugs

Laura, thank you & everyone so much. I was so rattled. I hope for better E & implants soon so I can just relax a while. I had liposuction & tummy tuck surgery 6 weeks ago. That hurt & was a challenge healing up from. I just do not need any more stress for now including the risk of pills or itching.........TC GF

Climara patches. If you are going to try them do not buy many. Just 6 hours on an entirely new area & already burning my skin, uggggg. What a waste of $ & effort.

Well their manual says lower belly below navel...
or upper buttocks...
you might try a spot in the front for a change...

here is a picture of the prrocedure:
hemingways.org/GIDinfo/drugdata/ClimaraPI.pdf


hugs

I have around eight sites on my body where I rotate the patches around in turn.  I've found if I overuse a particular spot or leave a patch on too long I get some redness and irritation.  Aloe gel is good to sooth the irritation, but it sounds like your skin must be really sensitive if you're getting irritation after only 6 hours.

Quote from: Laura_7 on July 13, 2015, 06:33:08 PM
Well their manual says lower belly below navel...
or upper buttocks...
you might try a spot in the front for a change...

here is a picture of the prrocedure:
hemingways.org/GIDinfo/drugdata/ClimaraPI.pdf


hugs 


Tummy tuck surgery: Incision from one side of your body to the other + ............You don't want to know all the details for a flat stomach so no, not putting anything on lower stomach, still healing up. No idea what's in climara patches but it gives me fits..... Back to little dot 3-4 day patches I guess until implant.   Thanks

Quote from: FrancisAnn on July 14, 2015, 12:24:03 AM

Tummy tuck surgery: Incision from one side of your body to the other + ............You don't want to know all the details for a flat stomach so no, not putting anything on lower stomach, still healing up. No idea what's in climara patches but it gives me fits..... Back to little dot 3-4 day patches I guess until implant.   Thanks

You could look up he manual for the little dots.... some manufacturers give a few more spots, like on the arm.
Upper buttocks are supposed to be most effective, but if for example upper arm is a bit less effective yet does not itch it should be better.
Just look into the manuals or ask your doc.
The manuals all say to stay away from the breasts.

hugs

I've used my upper arms as patch sites and subjectively speaking I don't think they were as effective, but putting them there is better than nothing.  No irritation though, which I suppose is the point of the exercise.

Tried patches,got a rash and they always came off in the shower.It's a whole lot easier to swallow a pill when I get up

Quote from: Laura_7 on July 14, 2015, 02:08:37 AM
You could look up he manual for the little dots.... some manufacturers give a few more spots, like on the arm.
Upper buttocks are supposed to be most effective, but if for example upper arm is a bit less effective yet does not itch it should be better.
Just look into the manuals or ask your doc.
The manuals all say to stay away from the breasts.

hugs

Thanks, no idea what's going on with my skin, I used dots for almost a year with no trouble at all on lower stomach but since my surgery my skin is so sensitive. I'll try dots on my butt & see. Doc appt for Thursday anyway so maybe I can finally get an implant. I've wanted a nice implant for a year or more anyway. Thanks for everyone's help & advise.

Oh if anyone reading this is considering liposuction & tummy tuck surgery it is amazing how nice your waist line will look & how more of a hour glass figure you will have but it is very painful for the first 2 weeks, then just uncomfortable for a while. You will have to wear a tight corset 24/7 for almost 2 months. However it is amazing how much nicer your midsection will look.  Good luck to us all for a happier life.

Quote from: Lady Smith on July 13, 2015, 03:36:00 AM
I've found patches to be much better as a hormone delivery system as I had to change over to them from pills due to health problems. My breasts woke up and grew a bit more, my skin is nicer and no issues with GI side effects. The only downside to patches is trying to find the best way to get the left behind black circles off my skin whenever I remove one.

Kendall makes a product called "preppies" that some clinics use to remove adhesives, works well for me for getting the ring off:-)

Quote from: Tessa James on July 14, 2015, 02:04:15 PM
Kendall makes a product called "preppies" that some clinics use to remove adhesives, works well for me for getting the ring off:-)

Thanks, - I'll check that out.  I've been using aloe wipes, but I don't like having to scrub too hard at my skin.

I initially tried patches as well and could not stand them. I have sensitive skin as well and they would just itch and then I would get a rash. Then I went to sublingual pills which were ok and worked. With much reluctance I went to injections and have not looked back. I was not thrilled about giving myself a shot but once I was trained I have not looked back. I am hesitant to use pellets because if there is a negative reaction what do you do - go dig it out?

At the end of the day you just need to find what works for you. Keep searching you will find it.

Quote from: angiegurl on July 14, 2015, 03:56:07 PM
I am hesitant to use pellets because if there is a negative reaction what do you do - go dig it out?

They are about the size of a grain of rice, maybe a bit bigger.
The site of application should be well known so it should be possible..
And reactions are rare imo.
You could see it the other way... what about if reactions are good ?
No hassle... no seesaw pattern... no handling of meds... one procedure every 4-6 months and that is all...
availabale are bioidentical estrogen and bioidentical progesterone...

hugs

I started on patches. My Elevels were up around 120. 6 months ago i changed to pills and it dropped down to 70. So going back on the patches when i meet my endo on thursday