Another patch question

I have recently started using the vivelle dot. I had a little trouble with it sticking, but thanks to the replies to my previous post I think that problem is solved. I have a question. Just how does this patch work? Does it evenly distribute the estrogen over a period of time? The reason I ask this is because today is the day I am supposed to change the patch and I'm feeling the signs of low estrogen. For me the signs are hot flashes, pounding heart, and anxiety. I'm not due to change until tonight, but in the middle of the night last night I took .25mg of estrace ( I was taking .1mg daily before I switched). Does the patch run out of estrogen by the last day? Will I eventually get used to this?

Hi There,

I'll only reply to the signs of low estrogen part. I've been applying the V.Dot for 2 years now. After my surgery I started on .05 twice a week. All my night sweats & hot flashes disappeared. Then down the road they started to come back. My DR advised first to change my patch EOD. That worked for a while then the night sweats & nauseous feeling returned. Blood work then determined my estrogen level was too low at 29 where a year before it was at 68. I'm now on .075 V.Dot twice a week and for now not any problems except anxiety. I've always had anxiety so that is nothing new. Also I'm on the thin side and my DR suggested I just use it up more. If I forget to change the patch on time I get flu like symptoms. Night sweats, nauseous etc.

Take care & I hope this helps

Sister Katie

Hi Sister Katie,
The flu like symptons are what I have been experiencing on and off since I started the patch a few weeks ago. I originally started with .05 vivelle 2X's a week and am now up to .075. I wonder if I need more estrogen or if my body is just adjusting to the change from the estrace. Do you know if its okay to supplement the patch with a small amount of estrace?

Nanfal,
I don't use the patch but I have read posts here where some women have to change their patch earlier than what the original directions state. Talk with your doctor about what you've noticed.

I do use a Duragesic for chronic pelvic and abdominal pain and the original rx was to change every 72 hours. However, I found I was having alot of breakthru pain on the 3rd day so my doctor wrote the script to change every 48 hours and that took care of the problem. Doc said this wasn't unusual as some people can absorb the meds faster.