Switching from Climera to Vivelle Dot

Hi All

Just curious about all of those who are using the Vivelle Dot HRT. I have been on Climera 01 since my TAH and have not had too many problems with symptoms, although I am starting to think that I need to go back up to 2/ 0.1mg patches as my hot flashed are more noticable and the moodiness is more apparant. I was on 2 patches a while ago, but went back down to 1 patch due to the size of the patches, as I already have on 4 large patches on my ab for my pain meds, and being small, I don't have much room to manuver them around plus my Climera patch.

Is the Vivelle Dot alot smaller? Taking the "Dot" into consideration, I am assuming so. Would the comparison of Climera 0.1 patch be alot smaller with the Vivelle Dot of that strength? Also, with the Climera being so big, many times I find the patch will losen up and wrinkle, and it is frustrating to say the least.

I have also tried the generic my ins only covers and it is called Estridol ( I think) and it comes in an equally big size patch but it is more of a foam think patch, and for some reason I just don't do as well on it, so pay for the Climera out of pocket. It runs me about $35.00 for 4 patches of Climera. My ins only covers generics, but it is worth it to me to pay more for the Climera as the generic patch just doesn't work as well.
(and it is as big as Climera and it is also very thick and not virtually invisable as the Climera is ~ well, it is invisable until the sticky stuff starts to collect any lint or fuzzies from your clothing )

So, anyone on the Vivelle Dot with a comparable dose of 0.1 mg Climera, and how does the size compare, and anyone know the price of the Vivelle Dot for the same dosage? I would really like to switch after reading so much positive things about the Vivelle Dot, and I have just stayed on the Climera due to that is what was put on me by my Dr and I have not had any real problems to change, but would really like something smaller so that I can increase my dose if needed and still have some free skin left that isn't covered by some kind of patch. It isn't funny when you "crinkle" when you bend over from having so many patches on your body.

Thanks for any and all thoughts on this!

Many hugs,
Lori

Hi Lori I have used both Climara and the Vivelle dot. The Vivelle dot is smaller. It's also shaped differently... like a rectangle with rounded corners. If I remember correctly, the 0.1 Vivelle dot is about an inch high and an inch and a half wide (roughly). It is thin and clear just like Climara. It's changed twice a week rather than once a week.

Have you considered using your estrogen patches on your hips or bottom? I tend to prefer to use them in back because I find there is less wrinkling; also you absorb about 20% more in the rear than using them on the front, so you might not need quite as much. Just an

s,
-Linda

Linda~
Thanks for the info on Vivelle. I think it would be worthwhile for me to try the switch, as they would be much easier to stay on with a smaller patch. Actually, I do put my Climera on my hip, and it seems to wrinke more there than anywhere else. I tried it on my back side, but they don't stay on as well with the skin movement being more there from bending over, sitting , etc. Maybe it is just me,

Either way, I think I will have better results with a smaller patch, then it may stay better on my backside, and with more absorption, like you say, maybe that will five me the little boost I need to even things out.

Any idea on the cost of Vivelle Dot compared to Climera? Probably about the same? or more since you have to get 2x the patches for changing them 2x a week? Thanks for the help!

s
Lori

Hi Lori,
I started on Climara .05, and it seemed to work well for the first few weeks. I noticed by the end of the week, I was really nervous and having mood swings. I asked the doc and he prescribed the Vivelle Dot .05 changed twice a week. I have been on it for several weeks and I think it's much better. It's smaller, sticks better, and I don't have the problem I was having with Climara. They are much smaller and don't seem to wrinkle on me like the Climara do. I wear them on my back side because they seem to stick better there for me. I hope this helps.
Take care, Annie