vivelle - side effects

HI everyone:
Anyone out there that is on or has experienced the vivelle dot, I am looking for some help. I am still have some complications from my TAH/BSO but I did start the vivelle dot a few weeks ago and was doing great. I started at .075 which was too strong and so I cut off a quarter of the patch and that was perfect. I had been putting it on my abdomen. Since I have seen my doctor and she asked me to try the .0375 and not to cut the patch. The past few days I have started having hot flashes, mood swings etc. She also asked me to switch the patch from my abdomen to my buttocks.

So my questions are this:

1. I am having pain in my abdomen area - more like a bruise - you can't touch the area without it hurting. This has only been going on for the past two weeks. Could this be caused by my estrogen patch that I was wearing on the front in my abdomen area?

2. Do you get more estrogen from wearing the patch on your abdomen area or from your buttock area?

3. Is there anyone else out there that is as strange as me LOL and has to cut their patch for the .0375 is too weak and the .075 is too strong?

If you can help me with any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. I am at 5 weeks post op and ready to be "normal" again and thought I was in the right direction until just a few days ago

Thanks to all you princess who have been my support through all of this!

Kim - TAH/BSO 38 yrs young - vivelle dot - .0375 for now

As far as the pain is concerned, if it worries you, you should talk to your doctor about it and ask if it is normal. My abdomen stayed tender for about 9 months after my surgery.

I wear my dot on my abdomen. I have seen many posts here which say you absorb more estrogen when the patch is on your buttocks.

Vivelle dot comes in a .05 dose, so if the .075 is too strong, and the .0375 is too weak, I would ask my doctor for the .05 dose.
Hope this helps!

Hi,

I just started on the vivelle patch last week. (surgery was 8/04) I was on Estradiol then Estratest. I'm hoping this little patch does the trick! I have a few questions too:

How do you know if the amount you are taking is too much? What kind of syptoms did you have?

I am using .1 twice a week, it seems high compared to what everyone else is using.

I get fuzzies around the edge of my patch, does that mean I don't have it on right?

Thanx!!
Monika

Thanks for the info. I meet with my doctor again on Monday so I will see what she says about the pain/tenderness.

Thanks for letting me know about the .5. I actually added another small portion of patch to my .375 and I feel SOOOOOOOOOO much better today. I think I have it figured out - I just have to let my doctor know that I have it figured out

As for symptoms, when I had too much I felt like I was pregnant - I was so sick to my stomach 24/7. I also had horrible headaches and didn't feel like doing anything. Crabby crabby crabby.

When I didn't have enough I felt like I was Pmsing all over again and I started getting hot flashes and cold flashes all over again. I knew I was going to be in trouble and fast if I didn't get more estrogen into my little body.


Let me know if anyone else is taking the vivelle patch.

Thanks -
Kim ( TAH/BSO - vivelle ?? .5)

Thanx Kim, I'm still wondering if there is anyone out there who is taking the same dosage as me? .1 twice a week, just seems high compared to the rest of you. Also do fuzzies from your clothes cling the the edges? Hopefully we'll all get it right eventually! What a pain! but it sure is better than before!

Thanx
Monika

I am on .5, but I do get those fuzzies on the edges. The patch hasn't come off.

ok then I must be doing something wrong! My patch doesn't come off, it just gets fuzzies around the edges. Drives me nuts! Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanx
Monika

((pdeveil)) Just to reply to your question as to if anyone else is taking .1 twice a week. That is what I am currently on, and am doing better than when I was on .5. I also apply it in the rear, have not had much trouble with it sticking. Just this morning I brushed against it and noticed it was all wrinkly. I paniced, afraid that I would not be getting the proper dose, so put a big piece of tape over it. I think what I did wrong was to put it too far down, I need to put it higher on my hip. Where I put it the last time is down lower where it bends when I sit.

We all have our things, but if you feel OK and fuzzies on your patch are your biggest problem, I think you are in pretty good shape, don't you?

Best wishes,

Susie

	Quote:
Originally posted by pdevil ok then I must be doing something wrong! My patch doesn't come off, it just gets fuzzies around the edges. Drives me nuts! Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong? Thanx Monika

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. If it stays on, sounds good to me. I get the fuzzies too.

Thanx ladies! Susie--How long have you been on that dosage? Just curious!