Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Hurdity on October 04, 2019, 07:43:24 AM
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Well after more than 12 years with Estradot, shortages have finally forced me to change patch - and go with whatever my local dispensary at the docs could get - Estraderm. However they are absolutely mahoosive! Feels like I've got a plastic bag stuck to my butt! Practically covers the whole cheek! Gone the discreet tiny rectangle of Estradot... I can't imagine having used these giant squares for 12 years. Have had it on for 24 hours and I can still feel it there. No noticeable difference in how I feel yet (re oestrogen levels) so hopefully will work the same. Time will tell.
Anyone else used these for any length of time?
Hurdity x
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Well after more than 12 years with Estradot, shortages have finally forced me to change patch - and go with whatever my local dispensary at the docs could get - Estraderm. However they are absolutely mahoosive! Feels like I've got a plastic bag stuck to my butt! Practically covers the whole cheek! Gone the discreet tiny rectangle of Estradot... I can't imagine having used these giant squares for 12 years. Have had it on for 24 hours and I can still feel it there. No noticeable difference in how I feel yet (re oestrogen levels) so hopefully will work the same. Time will tell.
Anyone else used these for any length of time?
Hurdity x
I've only ever used evorel. Hope some estraderm users come on to share their experiences. Here's some good reviews. It mentions being taken off the market, but when i googled estraderm discontinued i got results from 2012 so maybe its come back on if its available to you. Sorry I cant be of more help
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Hi hurdity. I havent used eastraderm but I was changed to progynova from estradot due to shortages.
For me personally the progynova was awful. I had thought I couldnt feel any worse but on that I did. And it was during E only part of cycle that I changed. I Very quickly noticed a drop in my already meagre levels.Isymptom wise. I only lasted 2 weeks on it. I've got a small supply of estradot left so I've switchedx back til it runs out.
As you may recall I thought I wasnt getting anything from the estradot but the switch to progynova and switching back again has proved I mustve been getting something, not much and not enough but the difference on progynova was marked.
Also the 100 are huge!!!
I know you didnt ask about progynova but it seems its being given as an alternative because it's available. So just thought I'd share my experience.
Xx
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Hi hurdity i use them, I didn't feel good on the other patches so tried these a couple of years ago and tampering going up each time until I discovered 100 was what I needed, well what can I say! Unless you have a massive bum it's going to come off with all the movement. It's literally the size of my palm and I have big hands 🤣
So I'm wearing two 50 patches although still big I just pop one either side below hips.
I'm having trouble getting these so hearing still some about I'm hopeful. Xx
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As you know I've had a lot of trouble with HRT over the years, also having ME but these patches have given me energy I never thought I could have. I've been on them about a year with a month of gel in between when I could not get them, I normally have no energy but started decorating the end of last year and as soon as off the patches I've no energy to do anything. Xx
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Hi
Can I ask what Estradot size patch are there shortages of. ?
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They were one of my first patches to try - huge and crinkly plastic compared to the Estradot ;D
I also found the edges peeled up a bit too.
Sorry you haven't been able to get your Estradot- I've managed to get my last prescription filled but will wait to see what happens next time.
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I used them, they are indeed very crinkly and they kept falling off a few hours after application. Alcohol swap and blow-dry did'nt help so I put Tegaderm on them. My skin is very thin, no fat whatsoever and very dry so that could be a reason as my aunt uses them with no problems.
I tried Estradot too and I must say compared to them Estraderm is a nuisance.
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They do seem worse then normal to stay on, and do peel off very easy, I've even been using surgical tape to stick them on and it's not practical but I'm pretty desperate at this point xx
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Sammiejane, I have been to 11 pharmacies to get Estradot 50mcg with no luck. Am going to Tenerife on Sunday for a week and will take my prescription with me and see if I can buy any out there.
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I've bought hrt patches in Tenerife no problem x
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Thanks for all your responses! Looks like you all think the same about Estraderm. Hasn't fallen off yet though but I keep having a feel to make sure it's stuck down - it's so crinkly I can't tell though! Weird! I must say I can't imagine sticking this monster down with extra tape! However I shouldn't complain - it least I've got some patches and I'm lucky they are free ( due to advanced age....)!
Tc - it's good to hear your experience of a different patch - who knows I might be offered that one next time!
I've got 2 months worth which will last slightly less as I change every 3 days - so we'll see. Just hoping Estradot gets back to normal soon...
Hurdity x
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I startred using Estraderm 1.5 wook ago as replacement for Evorel - I'm happy with them, I feel better on them and have less mood swings than on Evorel. I don't know how good they are holding as I use Transdermal patches over them - I'm chubby and jeans were taking off patches in less than hour. But generaly I prefere them over Evorel, and I think I will stay with them :)
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Thanks Perinowpost ( clever name by the way) glad to know I may have some luck in Tenerife.
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Hi hurdity
Have you not tried the gel ?
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I've used patches for 12 + years. A year ago or so I thought I would try the gel out of interest and for a change, and tried Sandrena but flushes returned within a month so rather than fiddle about with dosage at my age and stage I thought I would stick (!) with the brand and mode of delivery that ensured I remained flush-free even at the ripe old age of mid 60's!! Sandrena also took a long time to dry. I have never tried Oestrogel but probably won't now at this stage.
Hurdity x
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Well! B**** thing came off didn't it!
I had this patch on for 36 hours and was removing clothes last night and the whole thing just snapped off ie came away from my skin in one go - not gradually coming unpleeled or anything like that, just straight off. I stuck it back on with the aid of hairdryer to warm the glue but this morning in shower it came off completely so had to replace. I must admit - respect to anyone who has managed to use these for any length of time! The sooner I can get back to my beloved little Estradot the better!
On the plus side - I'm feeling absolutely fine - no sign of flushes yet so probably absorbing despite it not sticking well to my skin for the duration...
Hurdity x
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Hi ladies
Well my appointment at my GP today was a complete disaster! She wouldn't perscribe the testosterone as she said she dosent know enough about it and dosage so will need to wait for menopause to perscribe . Explained about my obsorbtion on the gel not being great and that I swapped to estradot patch 75 and suffered horrific boob pain so had to go back to gel but my GP wants me to go back to 75 patch as I'm not obsorbing the gel well but guess what chemist out of stock with all suppliers Including the 50 patch so I refuse to try any other patch so guess I'm stuck with the gel and yes can increase to 3 pumps but as this makes my aniexty through the roof and irritable should I try it with 100mg progesterone would this help ? Also is 100mg progesterone enough for three pumps taken continuously ?
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Well! B**** thing came off didn't it!
I had this patch on for 36 hours and was removing clothes last night and the whole thing just snapped off ie came away from my skin in one go - not gradually coming unpleeled or anything like that, just straight off. I stuck it back on with the aid of hairdryer to warm the glue but this morning in shower it came off completely so had to replace. I must admit - respect to anyone who has managed to use these for any length of time! The sooner I can get back to my beloved little Estradot the better!
On the plus side - I'm feeling absolutely fine - no sign of flushes yet so probably absorbing despite it not sticking well to my skin for the duration...
Hurdity x
I've never had trouble with these sticking until about four months ago, so weird!
I do find make sure I'm not to hot/cold and put somewhere My skin doesn't move much.
They are a pain but they help, mind I'm thinking 20 more years of this! I guess I'll do it if I'm ok 😘xxx
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Butterfly22 - maybe it's something to do with my ancient skin then - it's too loose and floppy (yuk!). Patches not designed for oldies like me ;D
Sammiejane - I would post your question on one of your own threads with a relevant title or start a new one as it has nothing to do with the subject of this thread!
Hurdity x
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Haha no it's not! Honestly they have gone bad at sticking recently x
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I've got and use estraderm no problem. They seem to run out more quickly than evorel for me but I just replace them more often. I wipe the skin with Isopropyl Alcohol before applying and they stick well.
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In Tenerife and got my Estradot patches no problem. Cost a shedload of euros but worth it. I'm very lucky that I was coming here anyway.
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Well I've now been using these for two months and as reported on another thread they are now predictably in short supply as all the Evorel and Estradot users have switched to them. I am getting used to them although it is a fine art - I blast a hair drier at my butt ( from some distance away I hasten to add) each morning and warm my hand to re-stick them down, but sometimes if I move the wrong way they do snap off.
They are very crinkly but not noticeably in terms of hearing it, just feeling them there!
However on the plus side I would say they are very good for absorption. Previously whenever I've changed product or reduced in dose (eg in the past reduced from 50 to 37.5, or a year or so ago tried Sandrena) my flushes returned - but I am very pleased to say these seem to be the same (or maybe better?). Can't say exactly because the amount I snip off the 75's to give 62.5 maybe a bit less than Estradot - (which required a certain amount of precision as they are so small) - so maybe I'm also giving myself a bit more with the Estraderm? Either way I'm feeling fine - but would just rather have the tiny Estradot.
And now - apparently - just as I'm used to these - I am going to be given Elleste Solo MX. I will be an expert on the twice weekly patches at this rate! ::) (years ago I used Evorel but was in later peri so not really comparable).
So - don't despair....you might be fine, once you get the wretched things to stick - whichever you have.
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity
I tried the Estraderm patches for a short while but they're ginormous and gave me a huge irritated red patch on my bum! :-D
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hi hurdity
i hope you get on ok with the elleste solo mx patch this was the one i first went on and gave me bed chest pain breathlessness dead arms i couldn't raise my arms !
hopefully your be fine and yes your be expert in the patches ! lol
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Thanks Sammiejane! I don't expect any actual side effects as my body has had estradiol through patches for 12 + years and also I'm not in surgical menopause, but it is a question of how well they stick and how I absorb the oestrogen. (Unless the glue is different and casues irritation!). I am optimistic though!
Hurdity x
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Update - I have been using the Elleste Solo MX (80 mcg cut down to approx 62.5 mcg - there is no 75 mcg) patches for a couple of weeks or so and they're so much better than the Estraderm and would recommend to anyone. They stick really well and although considerably larger than Estradot, they're not as big as Estraderm and don't feel like you have a plastic bag on your butt! No change in symptoms so for me absorption is similar. If you can get hold of these instead of your usual patches then hopefully you will be fine. I'm toying with the idea of "sticking" with them even when Estradot become available although the size of Estradot is so convenient...
Hurdity x