Patch won't stick and how long before it starts to work?

was just put on the patch, its only been like 5 hrs and the darn thing won't stay on, what the world, how long does it take to start working please help..

and im also confused about when to put another on, my doc said thursday,, but im confused, plus when i took the it off cuz it wouldnt stay on my skin was red and had a lil fine bumps all over where the patch was. im concerned..

Hi!

I'm sorry that you're having troubles with your patch. There are some tricks to try that may help.

First, what patch are you using? Is it a generic patch or a brand name such as Climara or Vivelle Dot? Sometimes the generic patches don't stick as well and a patch that won't stick isn't going to give you the proper amount of hormone. If you are using a generic patch, ask your doctor if you can have some samples of a brand name patch to try. It can make a big difference!

The redness and bumps could be an allergic reaction. If you're using a generic patch, that may be a factor. Don't hesitate to let your doctor know about this reaction.

It does take time for any hormone therapy to work. You're very early in your recovery and it's normal for hormone levels to fluctuate as your body depletes the hormones your ovaries made and as you adapt to your new source of estrogen. As mentioned, if the patch isn't staying on properly it's not going to give you the full benefit of the hormone.

I'm using the Vivelle Dot and I change it on Thursday mornings and Sunday nights, so that's every 3 1/2 days. That schedule works well for me. When I apply a fresh patch, I make sure my hands and the area where the patch is being applied are clean, dry and free from oil, lotions and powders. Sometimes I rub the area with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and allow that to dry. I apply the patch to an area that isn't going to be rubbed a lot by my clothing and then hold it down with the palm of my hand for several seconds to help set the adhesive. On the rare occasion that the patch starts to come up on the edges, I press it back down and give it a shot of warm air from my hair dryer, being careful not to get the dryer too close to the patch and my skin.

I hope these tips help you! Hang in there and let your doctor know if you continue to have problems, okay?

s

im on vivelle dot ptch 0.1 mg. its a sample got it today around noon, so im the mon/thursday schedule, so when should i change my patch and put a new one on? can the patch be put anywhere on the body or does it have to be on or close to the belly area?

The patch should be applied below the waist. When I first started using the Vivelle Dot I put it on my abdomen because I knew from reading on these forums that absorption of the patch is around 20% less there. Based on my symptoms after trying it on my abdomen, I decided that putting it on my rear would be beneficial for me and it turned out that I do feel better with that increase in absorption. Whether you choose to put your Dot on your abdomen or your rear it's important that you switch it from side to side on the days you change your patch. If you were to switch it from your abdomen to your rear and then rear to abdomen you could end up with fluctuations in your hormone levels--exactly what we're trying to avoid.

If you put your new patch on today you will want to change it again on Thursday. It's up to you if you want to change it in the morning or evening.

On the inner flap of the box there's a chart which you can use to check off your scheduled days to change. After you've been on the estrogen patch for a while you'll get into the habit of changing it without having to check the box flap.

I hope this helps!

s

Hi, I am on the vivelle 0.1mg, I get the name brand and they stick really well. I put mine on my abdomen below the waist. I was told never put it higher or on the arms. I have been great with the patch so far, I am 6 weeks post op and I have not had any menopause symptoms at all. I am on the Tuesday-Saturday schedule. The box my vivelle dot patches came in has a schedule on the box on the inside and it tells you what days to change it, going by the day you started it, so if you have the box it came in, see if there is a schedule written.