My insurance company switched me from a 7 day patch to a patch that is supposed to be changed twice a week. I am curious about what people's experiences are that have tried both. Is one better than the other?

Hi Allison,

I was just posting elsewhere about this!  I definitely prefer the twice-a-week patch.  I have been switched to a once-a-week patch (generic Climara), and I am having problems with skin sensitivity from prolonged contact.  I have a series of red marks on my rear end from once-a-week patches.

Terri

I started on the once a week generic made by Mylan and hated it - rashes, irritation, falling off - went to vivelle 2/week and loved it - smaller patches that stayed on and didn't irritate - now it is even packaged in a generic version by the same company that was making the name brand (Sandoz division of Novartis)

be well
jenifer

I was on the patch that is switched twice a week when I started HRT. My levels were pretty consistent. I didn't notice real fluctuations tell I switched to injections. My problems were from my being sensitive to the adhesive. Hugs
Mariah

I had a twice-a-week patch for a while, made by Sandoz.  For about a month and a half, I alternated sides on my butt.  The patch material is plastic which doesn't stretch or breathe, and over the course of 3-4 days, the skin underneath was red, itchy, irritated and one time, a pimple developed under the patch and turned into a huge abscess.  I placed the last patch I used on the side of my torso.  A full month later, I still had hives where that patch had been.  The skin on my butt is nearly healed, and the hives on my side have finally diminished.  Never again!

I did once a week patches for two years , but never the twice a week. Just from the experience with the once a week I'm guess the twice a week would be better because of the patches having less stress from wearing and slipping off and getting dirt under them. Then the problem of longer contact with the skin before changing cause irritation. I through with patches forever. I just got started on injections.  Yippy

I started with Climara when I was in California, and was switched to the generic made by Mylan when I moved to New York last year. I had problems with the patch sticking and had blisters at the application site. So for the last nine months or so I have been paying out of pocket for the Climara patch. I haven't worked in almost three months and I can no longer afford the Climara, so I asked my doc to switch me back to the generic. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the twice a week patch made by Sandoz. It's only been three days, but the patch is still sticking and I don't have unbearable irritation, so it might be a good thing.

I was on the mylan 1x a week patch about a month or two ago. I hated it! It did give me ok blood levels so i lived with it but it was so big! I had issues with it staying on and it messed up my skin. I can still see the marks from it.

I switched to the 2x a week one (mylan generic too) and so far its so much better. It's much smaller and its clear. Haven't had any issues with it falling off (yet, knock on wood). Haven't noticed any rash either. Just did blood test today so dunno the results yet but so far so good; if that's better then I'd never go back to the 1x a week one.

My endo increased my dosage requiring 3 patches twice a week.  IMO swapping them 2x wk. provides less of an opportunity for them to detach.  By  the 3rd or 4th day the combination of the adhesive and the 'mones have done their job and are ready to come off. As far as placement, I attach them just above the buttocks, an area that is relatively level and not affected when I sit.

 If you are having trouble with the patches staying on there is a product called Tegraderm it is a breathable film that can be used over the HRT patch. I talked with my endo about it and he thought it was a good idea. Also shave and clean the area with alcohol before you apply the the patch.

You could additionally have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1687801.html#msg1687801


hugs

I am on the estrodot patch, they are supposed to be one patch twice a week. Is there any advantage to leaving them on for 7 days ( IE: having two on at a time )

Quote from: Jannet.duff on May 15, 2016, 10:19:48 AM
I am on the estrodot patch, they are supposed to be one patch twice a week. Is there any advantage to leaving them on for 7 days ( IE: having two on at a time )

There may be some estrogen left in the patch after half a week.
Some people carry it for a bit longer.

Just talk it through with your doc


hugs

when I first started on the Vivelle Dot I sat and read through all the small print and test results that came with them - based on the testing graphs there was a real sharp fall off in medication delivered after 4 days - ymmv but I have never bothered going beyond that point - would rather let the skin recover an extra day or so before having to be covered by another patch

be well
jenifer