form of E

[Guest Owl]

I'm currently using patches but they are driving me nuts- skin irritation and falling off prematurely. My Dr. suggested pills but I prefer the increased safety of the patches. Any thoughts on gel/injections/pills from the point of view of convenience and safety? Any tips for using these stupid stickers?

thanks

[MackenzieB]

Never used patches but I wonder if skin prep with isopropyl alcohol may help? I use injections myself.

[Guest Leah1026]

I prefer injectables because they are safe (one liver pass), convenient (one shot every 2 weeks) and cheap (through a compounding pharmacy anyway).

Back in the day I used patches for the first 4 months, but I had trouble with them staying on.

[Guest Owl]

thanks, i'll ask about injections.

As for rubbing alcohol, it helps.... just not enough

[JJ]

I had T patches for awhile and had the same problem-plus a prepubescent child in the household so I had to wash my clothes separately in case one fell off and contaminated my clothing with T. And the worry that I might not notice and she would find one before I did. Instead of convenient I found patches to be a big nuisance.

The injection is infrequent and quickly done and I don't have to worry about anyone else coming in contact with my hormones. I vastly prefer it.

Johnny

[MackenzieB]

thanks, i'll ask about injections.

As for rubbing alcohol, it helps.... just not enough

Some "rubbing alcohols" have a small amount (5% or so) of mineral oil in them. That might defeat prepping with it. If you have or can find regular Isopropyl alcohol, it would probably work better as it doesn't have the oil in it.

[Guest Owl]

I'm going to make do until the beginning of December when I can see my Endo. Then I'll switch to the pills or if available, injections- but there is no way i'm doing that myself.

[Paula ult]

I used a gel in the beginning, it was messy and i had to apply it twice a day, my Endo then switched me to patches, they were more convent, but i was allergic to the adhesive and i would develop a welt and sometimes bleeding where the adhesive touched my skin, plus like you they would fall off, my Endo then switched me to pills, i take then sublingually (dissolved under the tongue) this also mostly bypasses the first pass through the liver, i had asked him about injections but he indicated right after the injection your E level is high then gradually falls over the next two weeks, he likes pills because it keeps your E level even pretty much even all the time, now that i am post op i am thinking of asking him to switch to injections every two weeks, something he indicated he would prescribe if i wanted.

Paula

[~Nova~]

I use both, the pill and the patch. My levels were all over the place and the doc thought a slow release patch might help. If I clean the area rally well and make sure its dry, I don't have an issue. I usually put them just below my panty line on my thigh.

You could put a second skin over it. this stuff is a staple to every bikers med cabinet. http://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Active-Waterproof-2-Inch-24-Inch/dp/B001FA0XDS