Biest cream peters out by 3 pm.. how about the patch?

I have noticed that my biest. cream slowly peters out by 3 pm, so I put a dab on my wrist and then I'm okay for a few more hours, but then have to use it again by 6-7 pm.
How are the patches with this? My only concern with a patch is that they are all estradiol with no estriol.

Anyone have success with the patch and which one?

Hi!

I've been successful using the Vivelle Dot. I've tried pills and creams, too. I like that the dosing is 24/7 and that Vivelle is changed every 3 1/2 days. Plus, as you probably already know, it's bio-identical. True, it is estradiol only but I've done well on it and don't seem to miss the estriol and estrone which my ovaries used to make. Of course we're not all the same and what works for me may not work for you.

Have you contacted your doctor and/or pharmacist about this? Maybe it would work better to split the dose and apply half in the morning and the other half at night. When I was on bi-est cream that's how it was prescribed for me to use. If you are otherwise happy with the cream it might be worth experimenting a little, with your doctor or pharmacist's guidance, to find out a way to make it effective for you rather than giving up on it completely to try something new.

Keep us posted, okay?

s

Hi April,

I do split my biest dose - 1/2 morning and 1/2 evening. But, I have realized that my I get moody around 3 pm and if I use a dab of biest. then, I'm okay until 6-7 pm. So I think that a patch might be what I need. I've been using biest. for 2 yrs. now, and had to increase the estradiol a few months ago due to low estrogen symptoms.

I will speak with my doctor about it.

Thanks.

Hi CreamQueen,
I have used both patches and creams and each has its plus and minuses. With the cream I had problems with it in the afternoon also. The pharmacist told me to half the dose and take 2x a day. The problem was I was getting enough in the a.m. to control symptoms to even get me through to the p.m.

The doctor I had started me on 6mg of estriol/progesterone. Then due to challenges changed it to 6 mg estradiol/ estriol 80/20. I tried taking it in full dose in a.m., in p.m., then I tried halving it and taking it 2x a day. Tried taking 2/3 in a.m. and 1/3 in p.m. UGH! I was so frustrated.

I finally took control and researched everything. TG for this board! I found a doctor who would listen to my concerns and allowed me to "test" the waters on what I felt I needed. I am now taking 1.6 mg of estradiol 2x a day for a total of 3.2mg daily.

Personally I prefer to have a little more control over my symptoms since food, stress, exercise, etc all play into those hormones. If I notice I am having signs of too much estrogen, I can adjust or vice versa with having not enough.

If you have past the point of frustrations with the creams, the patches worked well for keeping you at a constant dose as long as the patch stays on and it's convienent. There has been great successes on this board with a brand called Vivelle dot and if the creams fail my expectations ever, that is what I will try. I think it is just as important for our bodies to remain at a constant balance.

Good luck and keep me updated!

(((CreamQueen))), many DRs have free sample packs of the patches that they get from the company sales reps so we can try them free before committing to a month's prescription. You might ask your DR if you could get some Vivelle dot samples (it seems to have the best profile as far as lasting about as long as it's supposed to, sticking well and causing the least skin irritation).

s,
-Linda

	Quote:
Originally Posted by CreamQueen Hi April, I do split my biest dose - 1/2 morning and 1/2 evening. But, I have realized that my I get moody around 3 pm and if I use a dab of biest. then, I'm okay until 6-7 pm. So I think that a patch might be what I need. I've been using biest. for 2 yrs. now, and had to increase the estradiol a few months ago due to low estrogen symptoms. I will speak with my doctor about it. Thanks.

I am wondering if you still may be a little low in the estradiol in the a.m.? The first doctor I had refused to up my estradiol at all, but would up only the estriol to try and curb the symptoms. Estradiol has been known to "keep" longer in the body due to the hormonal conversion of estradiol to estrone storage. Not sure if that will help your present situation, but maybe worth a thought.... good luck!