SSP on Estradot extended (again)

[SnoozingFox]

SSP on Estradot patches extended AGAIN, now until 2nd May.

https://cpe.org.uk/our-news/three-new-ssps-issued-for-estradot-patches/

That's another 4 weeks. I am getting desperate. I have run out of my regular stash of 75s. I have 3 boxes of 37.5s and 3 boxes of 25s. This will last me 72 days if I use at the right dose. It is 82 days until I will be in Spain and hopefully able to buy patches.

So here's the dilemma - do I keep using patches at the correct dose and gamble on Estradot being back in stock in May or early June, or do I start now cutting the dose to 62.5 by combining patches and hope that's enough.

Fucks sake. This is a nightmare. (and before anyone asks, I don't absorb the gel and am allergic to the glue on Evorel, even though the pharmacist keeps supplying and I have 6 boxes of useless patches sitting in the bathroom.)

What are people finding as a good alternative? I hate Evorel (wearing a plastic bag and doesn’t stick) and I contacted my menopause clinic but they have an 8 month wait to ask this question and my GPs are not knowledgable at all. Please share with me what you have found as a decent substitute so I can ask for this instead of Evorel. Thanks!
… and let me vent - this would never happen to critical men’s medicine, grrrrr.

@runningrunningrun I haven't been able to get estradot for months, I have been using Estramon which seems to be the Irish pharmacies go to alternative and I have found it fine but others haven't so I guess it is a bit of trial and error unfortunately. I have had a few brands the worst was evorel did nothing for me and came off all the time

Evorel for me is super sticky, no issues at all getting it to stick but the problem is that I am allergic to the glue. I am going to try FemSeven.

There is also the option to try the gel or spray which some people get on very well with.

@SnoozingFox just wanted to let you know that my local Spanish pharmacy have finally been able to get Estradot for me.

This is interesting! Whereabouts in Spain are you? Do you need a prescription for HRT in Spain? Sorry for all the questions and thank you

Fenomenal! I am really hoping that I can get some when I am there. I have read mixed messages about how easy it is to get prescription meds in Spain, some people said absolutely no way without a prescription from a Spanish GP, others have said as long as you have a box with your name/pharmacy label, others have said buy it over the counter no questions asked.

Practising my most formal and polite Spanish constructions... quisiera... si me hace Vd el favor de... Me agradaceria...

I tried a few pharmacies in Madrid when I was there a few weeks ago but none would give me any without a prescription. I’m not sure of they had stock anyway!

Just resurrecting this thread to let you know I got some Estradot! I had a prescription sitting in my local Boots since March and got a text to say my balance was now ready. So I’ve got two months of Estradot 100! So happy. I asked if they could order any more and I could get a new prescription from my GP but their ordering system was still showing out of stock. I’m hoping sporadic supplies are filtering through now.

Say what?! That’s amazing news.

So sick of people suffering in England with lack of medicine available. Genuinely I would catch a plane for 50£ anywhere abroad and buy. What a pain in the bum.
its not “only” a gel or “just” hrt, this is your entire well being
unaxxeptbale

Same I’ll pay big bucks!! I had to switch to Evrol and I have cramps, symptoms back and keep getting rashes on my application area, also can’t use the gels I’m desperate to go back.

Ohhhh that’s great news. I’ll try the same tactic.

I hate Evorel! Also getting cramps and had to go up dosage. And they are so bloody big!

I will speak to my doctor and see if they have any intel..

I have 32 days left of Estradot. I keep checking in the hope some supplies are starting to come through.

I’m on Evorel too just now. They are huge but I find they stick fine. I have been bleeding for the first two weeks of starting them though so I presume I’m not absorbing as well as I did the Estradot.
The SSP for the 75mcg and 100mcg strengths is due to finish today so I’ll keep an eye online to see if it’s extended again.

October. FUCKING OCTOBER.

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

Aw FFS! Sorry to get everyone’s hopes up.

Why do you say Evorel is not as good? I’m on that one x

I have just found some 50s on an online pharmacy so have ordered, will cobble together the right dose with some 25s, or just try to use 50 for a bit and see how I go. I am so done with this.

I was great on Evorel for over a year they suited me well and worked perfectly. It's the glue I'm allergic to.

Yeah I’m on week 2 after moving from pills and seem ok so far x

I am took but I have real problems with it falling off. I average 3 a week sometimes more

@SnoozingFox I saw on another thread that a GP recommended spraying the area of application with a beclometasone asthma inhaler before applying the patch. This helps with glue allergy or irritation. Might be worth a google and to ask your GP.
I find Evorel stick very well. I hold the patch between my palms for about a minute to warm it up before I apply it. I then hold my hand over it for about a minute again after applying to the skin. When I’m removing it at day 3/4 it’s still stuck fast and its agony pulling it off!