HRT patch allergy anyone?

[Roma2013]

I've been on Femseven 50 HRT patches for a few weeks now. They don't stay on terribly well but worse than this, the skin underneath gets very itchy. I m starting to wonder if I m allergic to whatever's in the sticky adhesive stuff? Anyone else had this?

[Bellaciao]

Hi there. I use Estradot 50 which are much smaller and they stick well. I haven't had a skin allergy to them but I am always very careful when I take them off ie peel them off carefully. I used to get an itchy feeling sometimes but resisted the temptation to itch in case it set off an allergic reaction. This doesn't seem to happen now. Stick to a different area each time. Sadly some women are allergic to them - so good luck with that, and maybe think about Estradot - not sure if different patches use different adhesives?

[Roma2013]

Thanks. Will ask the dr tomorrow. Is yours an oestrogen only preparation? And is it changed once or twice a week?

[Bellaciao]

Yes it is oestrogen only - I take progesterone separately as I still have a womb. If yours is a combined preparation then you would need to do so too. The only other combi patch is Evorel (sequi or conti depending whether your are peri or post meno) but that is also a large-ish patch and contains a progestogen that doesn't agree with some women. Evorel and Estradot are changed twice a week.

[hedwig2001]

I have been using Femseven for a few years.
I found the best way to get it to stick is look for a flat site. For me the shin was the best place. I warm the skin gently with a hairdryer. I apply the patch firmly, then warm with the hairdryer for 30 seconds while smoothing.
It can cause skin irritation, but you can minimise this by rotating sites.

[Roma2013]

Thanks for the replies. I m reluctant to move onto twice weekly because it doubles the cost of the prescription doesnt it? Is this true or do you get a monthly pack of 60?

I don't need a combined progesterone-oestrogen patch as I have the coil.

I'm reluctant to place it on my shin I guess because it will be visible (Especially given it's summer and also during exercise)

[bella65]

If you only need oestrogen, have you thought about asking for Oestrogel? It's a gel and you apply one to four measures from the pump- the average amount used is 2 pumps but you can go up or down, as needed to control your symptoms.

It does away with the need to apply a patch and you apply it to your upper arms, or thighs, and it takes 5 minutes to dry.

[Bellaciao]

Hi again Roma - you should be given twice as many if it's twice weekly ie you will be prescribed the usual amount for the length of time - so if your practice prescribes 3 months at a time you will get 3 packs of 8 (for Estradot) whereas for Femseven this would be 3 packs of 4 I imagine or the equivalent. I managed to persuade mine to prescribe 6 months!

Applying a patch to the shin is probably quite unusual, because the marks would be visible and especially in the summer!

I have only ever used alternate bum cheeks - away from the knickerline or waist bands that rub. I have never needed to use a hair dryer as the patch is so small - just press with the palm of my hand for 30 secs. Just need to make sure there are no residual products on your skin that could affect stickability!

[stuckinroom101]

A year ago I was given Everol Patches. I took a severe reaction to the treatment. Ever since then I have had hypersensitivity, hives, hypertension and whole body swells up and my skin is mottled I've been in hospital 3 times since then but all my test results are all normal. I don't know what to do. Has anyone else had this happen ? How do you treat this ?

[RM2013]

I had an allergic reaction to everol patches. Ever since I used them I noticed the skin would look a bit red when I removed the patches, it gradually got more noticeable until last summer I had a full on hives reaction. Itching all over and I realised it was the patch. I work with a gynae consultant and I asked her and she said more than likely I’d developed a reaction to the adhesive used to make the patch sticky.
she advised me not to use them again as said a future reaction could be even worse.

GP switched me straight onto the gel and had no issues since