Headache when I change my patch

I am 7 wks TAH/BSO and have been on Climara patch 0.1mg that I change every 7 days. The last 2 Saturdays that I've changed the patch, I've had a headache for 2 days. Is this too much estrogen? I will ask the doctor about a lower dose. The pharmacist told me that you get the highest dose from the patch in the first 8 hours after putting it on, so maybe I'm getting too much and its causing the migraine. Migraines were a big reason why I had the ****ed hysterectomy!!!!!
Anyone else experience this with Climara patch?
Thanks-
Janet

Janet,
Sorry about your headache...those hormonal ones can be awful. I think you are correct about it being too much estrogen. If simply lowering the dose does not do the trick then you could also try the vivelle dot patch. That one you change in the middle of the week so in theory you should have a more steady dose.
One other thing that helps many women with headaches etc, is progesterone.
good luck to you

Hi! I switched onto the .1 patch when the .05 Climara stopped working for me. I didn't get the headache, but for the first 3 days, had an awful feeling much like an adrenalin rush, and felt like my heart was beating in my throat. After those days, that feeling gradually left me. I used 3 patches with the same results, and now I am on a .75 patch, with none of those symptoms. So I do think it's quite possible your dose is too high. As the blood levels drop -- and I thought they are fairly steady for the first three days -- the symptoms would dissipate. Let your doctor know what's going go. Good luck. I'm still not sure the .75 is right for me!

Rhona

Janet,
You may want to consider a patch that you change more often in order to keep your levels more constant. I use Vivelle Dot patch (normally it is changed 2x a week). This keeps your levels from dipping so low before you add a new patch. Some people do fine as the level drops but when adding the new patch and the levels sore up they end up with headaches. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Thanks everyone for your input. I have decided to try the Vivelle as it makes sense to not let the hormone levels drop so low with the 7 day patch, but haven't been able to get my drs ofc to call back- have tried for 4 days. Boy they're sure there when they want to do the $15,000 surgery but afterwards.....grrr....
Thanks again- I'll post with results!
Janet

Hi Janet,
Just wanted to tell you that I am also on Climara 0.1 mg patch. I am 5 weeks post LAVH/BSO and was put on the patch immedately after surgery. I had one constant headache since surgery. I went to the dr for my fu check and asked him if I was getting too much Estrogen and he said that estrogen doesn't cause headaches BUT if I wanted to reduce my dose, just cut my patch in half and try that. So I did and my headache is GONE! He said by cutting my patch in half, my patches last twice as long instead of prescribing a lower dose and only getting four patches. I also use Progesterone creme 20 mg twice a day and I feel great! Anyway, I hope you find some relief - good luck and I'll watch the posts to see how you're doing!