Premarin to Climara to Another Patch ??

Hi Ladies,

Recently switched from Premarin .625 to Climara, (no ERT for 1 week in between).

Switched because some blood tests came back and I am concerned about BUN levels being low (kidney process that can be caused by the liver not processing protein well -- liver levels were fine though), and a possible overactive thyroid (TSH levels higher, but T3's and 4's were normal).

Started out on the .025 dose with Climara and dosage was increased by the Nurse Practictioner to the .05 one week ago. I may be experiencing side effects to the patch -- my breasts seems a bit tender, but I also have some incontinence when I sneeze and some teary moments. I did not experience this on Premarin.

Not sure if I've given it enough time -- but need to ask some questions:
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I've read that Climara is a soy based patch and others are wild yam based -- has this made a difference for any of you??

Did anyone have side effect specifically on Climara and switch to another patch?

If so, what were your side effects?

And, which patch did you find success with?

What has been the difference for those of you using the patches applied 2 x a week?

Has anyone used the generic patches??

Or, did you not find success and returned to Premarin?
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I have follow ups with both the Nurse Practioner and with my PCP -- will be asking her for a referral to an Endocrinologist -- but would really like to have some info from my peers.

Please help -- ANY and ALL replies are welcome and needed!!

Thank you.
Hysterhelp

You might want to post this over in the Hormone Jungle --

--The Climera patch and the v dot (the other popular patch) are very similar, the vivelle is smaller and is changed 2x a week. Some women find the adhesive of one works better than the other - but it is a very individual thing.

--the breast tenderness is a sign of too much estrogen, however since you were without for a week in between and just increased your dose, your body may just be responding to the ramp up. It can take a few weeks for your body to adjust to each change. It is the most frustrating thing about the early months after a hyst.

--the incontinence is a sign of too little estrogen. However, I could have popped estrogen pills all day and still had problems with dryness (that was my problem, not incontience). Many women find relief from this with vaginal estrogen cream. It keeps your vaginal and urinary tissues "estrogenized" which prevents atrophy. Many of us find that after using the cream daily for a week or two, we only need to use it once or twice a week to maintain. If the creams don't work there is a device inserted and releases estrogen in the vagina on a continual basis, and a tablet called "vagifem" which also applies vaginal estrogen.

Dorrie