any tips to make the HRT patches stick?

I had to give up the climara patch because I could only get it to stick for about 4-5 days until it would come off. Doc switched me to the Estraderm patch which I change twice weekly but it just doesn't seem to want to work either. I have been successful a couple of times but then - no luck. I have tried after shower or not and also with and without cleaning my skin with alcohol & making sure the site is dry first. Also different spots. I am about 40 lbs. overweight, does this matter?

I like the idea of not having to take a pill and would really like the patch to work out - any suggestions or tips from my sisters would be appreciated!

Aimee

hello! I have tried different brands as well as their generics for the past three years, and I am 'sticking' to Climara because it is 'once' a week patch. I did not like the twice a week thing so, I have been in Climara for more than a year now and love it. I put it on my lower tummy area and shave a little either side once in a while to make sure that the patch is flush with the skin. Actually about 3 weeks ago, I had a 'diffect' patch. It fell off after 2 hours, I put it back in its pouch and later returned it to my pharmacy for a swop. My pharmacy sent it back to the Climara company to find out what happened. Also, remember not to use body lotion where you stick you patch, or may you use body soap with aloe vera or some kind of skin conditioner????? Yep, you said you do use alcohol! hmmmmmm!?!?!?!?
I would contact the climara website and contact them!
Ikoyi
p.s: my tummy is NOT flat!!!!!hehehe!

I just got out of the shower and the patch again just washed off!! Help!! I just put it on last night!

Thanks I will try their site and see if there is any advice there.

Aimee

Hi Aimee,

I was on the Vivelle patch for about 7 weeks and last week I stopped using it. I was also having problems with it staying on. I went for 2 weeks of patch changes before the last one I used on last Saturday. They would fall off and I would replace them or try and make them work. Then last week after taking one off my skin was bright red and the skin was raised and irritated , so I took it off and have been off for the week. I finally got ahold of my Doc today and he prescribed Premarin. I cannot stand taking pills, but I was really really tired of it falling off too much. Plus my skin is too sensitive anyways, so the doc said to try this pill for a while.
Before I put on my patch I would use the rubbing alcohol and then blow dry the area completely dry and wait for about an hour before putting it on. When they were sticking properly that was the only way it was working.
I wish you luck with the patch. I definitley agree that it is much easier than trying to remember to take a pill.

s
Kristi

I'm on the Vivelle dot patch & I change mine 2 x's a week. I put my on my upper otter thigh, just below where your panty line would hit & it has never feel off once. My DR recommended that spot & she got it right I can shower everyday & it sticks like glue to me. I actually have to peel it off when it's time to change it. It's an area where you don't sweat, so I think that's the key.

I use the Climara patch as well. I had problems for a while but now it is fine most of the time. I don't put it on after my shower any more. I do it the night before. I wash my hands to get any oil off them, clean the area with alcohol, let it dry, put patch on, hold it for 30 secs and then blow dry it on hot for about 30 secs. Each time after I shower I give it another zap with the blow dryer because sometimes it feels loose at the edges. Also, I always put it on the upper out thigh where there is more muscle because it seems to wrinkle if I put it on the fatty area.

I really like it and I am determined to make it work even if it is an effort. Having said that I had to change it early this week because it wrinkled up.

I would have never have thought to try the patch on my thigh - thank you so much, I knew I could count on you ladies, you are the best!!

The hair dryer blast is also a good idea - come to think of it my patch did stick better when I was using the heating pad.

Aimee

use the blow dryer to make sure the patch area is really dry. then after applying the patch, give it a shot with the hair dryer again, this will *heat up* the adhesive, possibly causing it to stick better.
Hope this helps you.
If you dont want to use the dryer after the patch is applied, just put your warm hands over it (on it) for a minute or two, the heat from your hand will do the same as the dryer.
Sticky hugs
snickers

Something I did was to use the transparent waterproof patches called Tegaderm, you can get them at walgreens or any pharmacy in the bandaide section, you just put this over top of the patch and it keeps it on for however long you want. My doctor said it was ok to put them on top of my patches, i was having trouble because of the hot flashes and I was sweating constantly.

Hi Julia,

That is a good idea about the Tegaderm. It would stop water from getting to the patch and avoid any rubbing too. I may try it too.