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[Katie1980B]

Just wondering if anyone else has had issues when changing where they place their patch?

I have, until last week, always had my Estrodot patch on my bum, but thought I’d try my upper thigh/hip last week, and after 2 patches, I feel absolutely terrible!

Muscle aches in my finger joints, arms and ankles, and generally feeling rough.

Anyone else experienced that?

[CrispyChick]

I posted about this two weeks ago.

But I'm very very new to HRT. I moved my 1/2 patch to my abdomen and by the end of that week my joints were worse than they've ever been and I had a mild bleed. But I am in chemical menopause at the mo. So my consultant said it must just not be enough estrogen and my meno was showing through.

But I was a bit suss. So I upped to a full patch and it's not now leaving my bum. I'm two weeks in on that and, whilst my joint pain is no better, it's no worse this time.

So I find if interesting you've found the same.

Wikipedia says absorption is better on buttocks. Links to a paper.

Oh. And it's my fingers, wrists and ankles I feel it in.

Move that patch back!!

[Katie1980B]

Crispy! Thank you again!

I’ve put it back on my bum tonight. I’m tempted to whack on another extra lower dose patch for a couple of days to speed up my levels.

I drove my son to his youth club tonight, and the pain in my hands - gosh!!!

[bombsh3ll]

Choose a warm place on your body, it absorbs better.

I used my lower abdomen and lower back.

Also be aware of how quickly the patches come unstuck - if it is hanging on by a thread by day 2 or 3, you aren't getting very much from it.

A layer of surgical adhesive dressing over the top can be helpful - my consultant recommended hypafix or softpore.

A blood test can also help to check absorption.

[Seasidegirl]

I'm struggling with placement at the moment.   I've always put mine on buttocks or hips but then last week I read about avoiding direct heat on patches. 

I'm always cold so I drive with my heated seat on (30 minutes each way to work a couple of times a week).  Plus we have a lovely warm electric blanket which stays warm for 30 minutes or so when I get into bed and as I'm a side sleeper that means patches on my hips get warm.

I've moved them to my belly but I don't like seeing them, I catch them and I've also got quite a lot of scar tissue and I'm not convinced it's the best place for me.

Any thoughts on heat use and placement?

[bombsh3ll]

I honestly don't think heat is an issue unless you are talking about a sauna.

I did my IVF cycle in Spain which was when I used the patches, and it was hot.

Delivery of the estrogen is better with warm skin as there's increased blood flow.

I also know some people use a hand warmer to heat bond the patch to their skin for better adhesion, but I don't think this is official advice.

I would also say don't be afraid of oral estrogen - whilst I was able to manage the patches short term for IVF there's no way I would be dealing with that hassle on a daily basis for the rest of my life - who wants to only shower twice a week - I love the convenience and reliability of taking a pill and not having it dictate my activities.

[CrispyChick]

Why would you only shower twice a week bombshell???

It's fine to shower with a patch on!!

[bombsh3ll]

If I showered, my patch was gone, had a bath, it was gone, if I swam in the hotel pool (before embryo transfer) it was gone, if I sweated it was gone, roll over in bed, gone, pulled my pants down for a wee, gone!

I only had a limited supply to last for the first trimester as international prescriptions are a bit tricky, so I ended up stinking AND wearing surgical dressings over the top!

My consultant joked that they were designed for much older women who aren't very active and don't wash very often!

Obviously everyone's skin and lifestyle is different but I know getting patches to stay on is difficult for many, and of course the stakes are a lot higher within the setting of assisted reproduction.

I am really glad different options exist for people and if patches suit you that's great, but I think a lot of people struggle on with transdermal when it is itching, falling off or poorly absorbed because they are needlessly afraid of oral estradiol.

[Katie1980B]

So I put my 100mg patch back in my bum plus an additional 25mg, and all I can say is wow. The aches in my ankles have gone, and my fingers are almost gone. Definitely had low estrogen levels based on moving them last week.

For others, I cover my patches with an Elastoplast Sterile Waterproof Drsweings (from Tesco), and they keep it in place for the duration.

[bombsh3ll]

That's great news, I am glad you have figured out what works for you!

[CrispyChick]

Wow Katie. That's sooo quick!

Geez. My joints are still aching away 2 weeks after moving back to bum and upping dose. But then, I'm new to it. And my hormones are zero. So got some climbing to do.

I'm pleased you reported back though. It's great to discover it was definitely that. Probably was for me too then. At a time when I needed to get some stability, I caused yet more fluctuation.

Hey ho. I preferred it on my abdomen. But bum it is.

I find they stick absolutely fine. But I now see where you were coming from bombshell.  . I did think I was allergic at first, but actually, the act of reintroducing estrogen caused a histamine surge throughout my body. That's all calmed now.