Question about HRT patch

I was given a patch right out of the OR, I am wearing Estrodial .05 mg and I change it once a week. I am wondering, I change the patch every Thursday, and on Wednesday I start getting hot flashes and get irritable or headachy, so I am thinking that maybe the patch is starting to wear off at this point? I have to go for my check up next Thursday and will ask my Dr. then, but I was wondering if this happens to anyone else? Also, can you wear the patch anywhere other than your stomache? I am thinking of putting it on my thigh or on the lower part of my back.

Hi wootoo4!

I think you've got it figured out already! It is possible that your patch is "giving out" before it's time to change. If you feel good other than that, the abdomeni is the best place to keep wearing that patch. If you were to feel that your estrogen was low the entire week, you could try moving the patch to your rear. Absorption is about 20% better back there. Check with your doctor about applying it to your back or thigh as those sites aren't recommended.

If you like the patch you are using, maybe your doctor can rewrite the prescription so that you can change it more frequently. Hopefully your insurance company would be willing to go along with that, too. Another alternative would be to switch to a patch which is changed twice a week, such as Vivelle Dot.

Good luck at your appointment!

s

	Quote:
Originally Posted by wootoo4 I was given a patch right out of the OR, I am wearing Estrodial .05 mg and I change it once a week. I am wondering, I change the patch every Thursday, and on Wednesday I start getting hot flashes and get irritable or headachy, so I am thinking that maybe the patch is starting to wear off at this point? I have to go for my check up next Thursday and will ask my Dr. then, but I was wondering if this happens to anyone else? Also, can you wear the patch anywhere other than your stomache? I am thinking of putting it on my thigh or on the lower part of my back.

Hi wootoo, I am on Estrodial .10mg and change it every Thursday too. Mine is just fine, so maybe you are going to have to up your mgs. I wear my patch on my hip. Does your patch leave a red mark???? i am thinking about changing mine to my pelvic area too.

I'm using Climara 0.05 mg. Change the patch once a week. Must be working for me because I have not experienced any menopausal symptoms.

The instruction sheet with my prescription says you are to change the placement site each time you change the patch. I have four sites--left and right just above my rear end and left and right in my lower pelvic area.

I also noticed a redness when I removed the patch. I was worried because I have very sensitive skin and thought I may be having a reaction to the patch. Checked with my dr at my 4 week post-op visit. No problem she said but to make sure I move the patch location each time I change it.

Judy

I wanted to pop back in and mention that changing from front to back/back to front with hormone patches can result in fluctuations in hormone levels. If you can do it and not notice any difference, you're lucky! Generally it's better to pick either the abdomen or rear and rotate left and right.

Hi Wootoo,
I am on Climara and the exact same thing happens to me. I change on Wed, on Tues I am ALWAYS weepy, moody and just plain weird. I figured I could handle it...I dont want to mess with my hormones any more than I have to. I wear my patch on my upper behind.
I switch sides every week.
Good luck with everything!
love
winonawasabi

Thanks for the info, April Dawn. Didn't know that. I'll stick with the rear!! LOL

Judy

April Dawn,
I have never heard to choose rear or abdomen. I use both, and haven't really noticed a problem. I start with left rear, to right rear, to left abd, then right abd. At that point, I need a new box! I use the Climara patch 0.1mg, change weekly.
Thanks for the info, though, for those who may be having trouble. If I ever have probs...I'll try one side or the other, all the time, to see if that helps!
, LL