some information about Patches

[Guest Emily Ray]

At the beginning of my transition I was using Climara Estrogen Patches to get my estrogen. But, after a month or so, my skin changed enough that the patches no longer would stick to it. This caused me to have severe migranes as my estrogen levels fell quickly. I eventually went on oral estrogen. However, for some reason the dose kept having to be raised to keep my serum levels at the same point. Well that couldn't go on forever. The next form I tried was injections. After five months of giving myself weekly shots I have never found a stable dose. I either go way high, or it is to low to keep my T production down. So, I am looking at the patch again!

What I learned today was interesting and I thought others might find it helpful. The original Vivelle patch, not the DOT, and Climara patch use basically the same technology. They mix evenly into the adhesive the chemical which holds the estrogen. The problem is with higher dose patches that we need is the adhesive becomes less sticky. The Vivelle DOT works a little bit differently. They use two kinds of adhesive, one contains the estrogen and one that is a pure silicone adhesive. They blend them together, but they don't mix. Picture water and oil shaken up. This means the patch is stickier! It also has a smaller amount of E and so it needs to be replaced more frequently.

So if you are like me and had problems with Climara and other patches, the Vivelle DOT does offer a chance at working for you.

Huggs

Emily

[KathrynJulia]

Emily

I've used the Vivelle dot for a month now and change the patch Sunday night and Wednesday morning. In fact I just refilled tonight and an older pharmacist filled it and it threw him for a loop. Ever take this before? yup. Have any questions? nope. You sure? yep He kept looking at my prescription and then at me. I kept a straight face, but you could tell he was trying to compute it and it just wasn't working for him. I couldn't help myself. I had to crack up after I left and got out of his sight. So far the Vivelle Dot has worked fine. I switched from oral estrogen because of the safety factor. It does leave an adhesive residue behind that picked up a dark color from my clothes around the edge and is visible. I'm thinking of checking into a adhesive remover to clean it off my skin. I may see if nail polish remover works to remove the ring. Kathryn

[Carolyn Marie]

Thanks, Emily. I'm sure many will find that info very useful.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

I have been on Vivelle DOT patches for about 42 months now. In the past I had a few that did not stick well but now every one I put on refuses to stick to me well. To help remedy this I had to use a band aid over top of it to keep it in place. This problem has just been for the last 4-5 months. Called the company up and they did refund me 1 months cost of patches. As for the left over residue when taking them off. I will wait till next day when the skin in the area patch was on drys up and becomes a tad less sensitive then just rub the glue off. If you try to take it of right after getting patch off its not good for your skin. The hormones in the patch have worked very well for me already. Almost every hair on my legs stopped growing , way softer skin , the little bit of hair on my face grows so slow I can go 2-3 days before any hair can be seen growing and went from flat chest to wearing a 38D cup.. So yes the Vivelle DOT patch can and does work wonders

[Guest ZoeG360]

I have been using Vivelle Dot for about three weeks and have started having trouble with them sticking. I tried surgical tape but got a skin reaction, then found another latex free tape that seems to work pretty well once the patch starts working loose. Bandaids work well because they don't stick to the patch

Emily thanks for this information about how they work. Your description is seems consistent with they way the patches get after a day or so. The adhesive gets a bit goopy. I was wondering about how you know when all he estrogen has flowed out.

The groin is where they said to put them and I shave the area real close and wipe it with alcohol before putting the patch down. But it seems when I sit, the skin wrinkles up and they work loose after a day or so. One thing I found, steam rooms at the gym don;t help! Why the groin? it just subcutaneous transfer into the blood stream, It seems anywhere would do. Anyone know?

It just seems that if I have to wear the the rest of my life there has to be a way to lower the maintenance on them.

[Guest JoanneL]

I place the estradot just below the belly button (left side for Sunday and right side for Thursday). Baby oil will clear the glue residue after removal of the patch

[Guest Deenah]

I use the clamara patches. Never really have a issue with them. Main thing with the patch is the area must be clean and dry before you put it on. I put mine on the side of my thigh one week, then move it over the next. Theres not much flexing there so it wont get loosend up..