Estradot out of stock AGAIN

[CrossStitchX]

I have been on these patches almost 2 years and can honestly say I have not once managed to secure a prescription without a pantomime. Either lengthy waits, phoning round every pharmacy in Glasgow, or paying for a costly private prescription from an online pharmacy. And now I've just been increased from 75 mcg to 100 mcg, and there are massive stock issues AGAIN.

So fed up.

It's hideous.
Estradot are not available in my area at all ( Cheshire).

I'm using evorel for now, but they are huge in comparison!

Couldn't get the 100s, so am sticking with 75s as it's better than nothing. I'm allergic to the glue on Evorel, and don't get on with the gel. It's a real worry, running out of supply.

Me too. Also on 100s. I've had a right song and dance every time but I've usually managed to track some down. This time I'm less optimistic. Every pharmacist I speak to says there's no hope of getting any until January. I guess I'll have to ask GP for some Evorel.

It’s driving me mad. Why is this stuff like rocking horse shit. I can’t use the other patches and can’t use the gel.

I've had to get used to the gel because of the rocking-horse-shit syndrome. But I can only get Sandrena sachets and can't open the bloody things in my latest box with my arthritic fingers because they seem to be sealed shut with some sort of alien tech glue.

<shakes fist at the sky>

Anyone know if they're limiting the number of boxes of Estradot you can have? I've come home with my meds but I realise I only have two boxes instead of the three I expected.
(Apologies if you can't get any, which is a different annoying problem.)

So many more women are going onto HRT now the manufacturers are struggling to meet demand.
I often have trouble sourcing uterogestan but I find if I go into town where there are a few pharmacies I can usually find it in one of them.

Boots have a stock checker which I find helpful when my local chemist is out of stock: https://www.boots.com/online/psc/

Boots checker is always wrong IME. I call up the ones that say they have stock and they tell me they don't!

@smokingcarriageonly Yes there's a serious shortage protocol until 13 October but it's just for the 100 mcg version.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps

Thanks for that.
I had already waited for my online pharmacy to get stock, then when it looked like it was never coming I had to track it down locally. Like pp I'm allergic to the Evorel adhesive. It's such a pain in the arse.

Serious shortage protocol for Estradot has been extended to 03 Nov 2023.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps

I've pretty much given up hope. I'm back on Evorel. I was surprised at how much my body reacted to switching from Estrodot to Evorel - I'd assumed I wouldn't notice difference because it's the same dose. I really went a bit loopy for a couple of weeks. But it's settled down now and I'm feeling fine. I just wish Evorel weren't so bloody enormous!

Yes, Evorel's size is ridiculous. I think each HRT product is different, except for Vagifem and Gina, branded and generic versions of the same productt. Swapping products or regimen will always cause symptoms but as soon as the body adjusts to the new medication, symptoms get better.

I’m allergic to the glue on Evorel which causes the skin to break down and then rip off with the patch, and I don’t know what to do now. I’ve been prescribed Evorel or no patch because of the Estradot shortage.

I still have scabs and now scars from using Evorel some months ago. Using Gel is not practical for me due to co sleeping. Do I suck it up and change the Evorel patch more frequently before it gets to really blister my skin? What do I do?

Have you tried Estraderm?