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[ToriTeeToe]

Hi, I've only been on HRT since Mid January & the first patch I tried was Estradot. I've got sensitive skin with eczema related allergies so I was a bit wary about using patches. So I tried a few to see how my skin coped. I was fine with these patches & my hot moments calmed down. But since I've tried to get more, my pharmacist hasn't been able to get any Estradot. I liked them as they stayed attached, and were small, as I'm still recovering from a hysterectomy in November, I have scars all over my stomach, so being small these patches were good.
Since I've not been able to get more, my pharmacist tried me on Fem 7, which was a 7 day one, but my skin couldn't cope with it being on for 7 days, and also it was so much bigger, so after the first one stayed on for 7 days, I went through 4 in 2 days, as they wouldn't stick. I'm not back on another twice weekly one, but it's as big as the fem 7 patches, and although I'm feeling better as they are staying on, I don't like the bigger ones. Really hoping the supplier gets them sorted out.

[Dana]

Supply in Australia has been up and down. I have managed to stockpile 4 unopened boxes, by putting my name on the waiting lists of a few chemists. I can also make one Estradot patch last 7 days, so I've got enough for more than 8 months.

Supply is supposed to improve in the middle of the year. I won't bother trying to get anymore for a while because I don't want to bother about expiry dates, but even when normal supply resumes I will always try to have a few boxes stockpiled in case supply becomes dodgy again.

It's ridiculous that women are faced with this kind of thing. I bet viagra is never in short supply.

[wombat62]

Hi Dana

I must have missed this thread at some stage! I'm on Estalis but doc says supplies aren't good, she laughed and thought she'd have a queue of angry women at her door, too right!

She's swapped me to estrogen patch (climera) and progesterone pills but the pills are a bigger quantity than in the patch so have to halve them.

Flipping nuisance as have to remember to take pill again each day!

Why can't people just leave things alone, was quite happy on one patch!

[Dana]

Hi wombat

I tried the climera 50 and didn't like it. It definitely was a lower dose than the estradot 50. Supply of the estradot/estalis is coming through, but it's sporadic.  A friend of mine has also had good results putting her name on a waiting list at the chemist. Give that a try and you might be able to get the estalis. Also experiment to see if you can make a patch last longer. I was surprised to find I could get my twice a week patch to last a full 7 days with no side effects.

[wombat62]

Doc's given me 75 because flushes and night sweats have come back, I'll see how it goes!

Problem is here you can't just keep changing scripts as it means another trip to the docs and $$$$$$$! I went into one chemist and they didn't have Estalis and I said what am I supposed to do, go back to docs, they wouldn't give me an alternative.

Wish I could come off it but hot flushes etc are still too much of a nuisance whilst I'm working!

I'll try it and if no good maybe I'll ask doc for back up script if and when it becomes available! It's good to know you've found that supplies may resume as I can pass that on next time!

[Dana]

The official word I got from Novartis last year is that normal supply should resume mid year.  Hopefully that is still right.

[LJB12]

Still seems messed up now?

[Dana]

Yep, it's still a problem in Australia. I was told it should be sorted out by the middle of the year, but who knows. I've just sent a message on the Novartis FB page today, so here is the link if others would like to send them a message to let them know how you feel about it. They also have a twitter account, but I don't do twitter. Doubt it will achieve anything, but at least they know how I feel about them.

https://www.facebook.com/novartis/

https://twitter.com/novartis

[Sunnydays]

I've nothing positive to add here except it is sooo darned irritating that a product as simple as this (well in my reckoning it's simple!) is so often out of supply. And as one of the ladies above said if you ha e to change size, another visit to doc and more money!
Come on Novartis get your act together !