Estradot shortages

[Caroline72h]

Hi, does anyone know how I can get estradot patches privately? Any recommendations? None of the other patches work and I'm getting desperate. Feel like everything is falling apart. I have a NHS GP prescription. Thank you

Where are you? I am in Ireland none here

Also in Ireland. Couldn't get them last year for months, but have got the last six months. One month I had to have 2x 37.5 patches instead of the usual 75, but apart from that it's been fine.

The massive German ones I had as replacement last year were horrible.

Where in Ireland? I am going to hunt down your pharmacy 😂 I am south Dublin, close to that? 🙏

When you say that you didn’t get on with it, what was it that you didn’t get on with? I’m considering asking to switch to the gel myself as I’m allergic the patches they’ve given me.

I felt awful on it. I don't know whether I was not absorbing any, or absorbing too much, or what the hell was going on. If the estradot is going to be an ongoing issue I may consider it again. Or tablets. Or spray.

Gah I didn’t sleep at all last night - had about an hour. Sleep has gone to pot since switching. I’m considering adding another quarter of a patch of Evorel. It’s so frustrating when you have the right dose and brand then they run out. Friend is having the same issues. The absorption must be much poorer with the Evorel.

Might revisit trying to find some abroad. If anyone finds any with shipping let me know. Though I will travel to get some!!

Sorry to her you didn't sleep well, sleep is so precious. Evorel didn't work for me either I am now on estramon as an alternative and I am fine on them. I still prefer estradot but it wouldn't bother me if I had to stay on these long-term

Thank you. Ooh is estramon a patch? Good information!

Just realised half of my patch had come off which probably didn’t help (maybe the heat?) but they are pretty rubbish.

SSP for 25 and 50mg has been extended to 4th July, for 75 and 100mg it's 23rd May.

(SSP is the Serious Shortage Protocol that permits pharmacists to dispense certain alternative brands of patch without needing a new prescription. This is for England only. )

Sorry, Cork!

Yes a patch

Thanks - will investigate!

I think this thread jinxed me, ordered my prescription today and none to be had. I'll have to ring around in the morning and see if I can track some down...

I am hoping that the fact there is a difference between the higher and lower doses means that I have some hope of getting 75s in a few week.

@SnoozingFox the earlier date would seem to suggest it's a bit more hopeful for those strengths. Fingers firmly crossed for you. Have you run out already or do you have some still?

I am ekeing (eeking? eking?) out my supply. I usually use a 75 patch, currently have a 37.5 and a 25 on giving a total of 62.5 which seems to be OK.

Hi everyone

I got the gel and it's working really well . Better than the patches. It's a lot to do everyday as I'm on a lot of gel but it's so worth it. Thank you to those who suggested gel . Good luck everyone. I feel like I'm in my 30s again!

That's good @Caroline72hI am pleased it worked out for you! Same here!

I was pretty hesitant to change to gel but, after a rough few days transition, I am feeling really good. I was on 100mg of patch so I started on 4 pumps but felt a bit spacey so I dropped to 3 and then down to 2 1/2 pumps and feel great. And I am managing to do it all once a day rather than twice which is helpful.

I was changed from tablets to evorel patches and found them to not as good as the tablets, which everyone at my doctor's surgery have been surprised about!

You really have to get them stuck down well, first time, without touching any of the sticky side. That is harder with the bigger ones because they wrinkle easily.

I ended up leaving the old 25mcg one in place for the four hours it takes for the new one to get up to speed, then eventually leaving it on for the whole week, and changing them in tandem. This made it more even with no dips.

They have given me 50 mcg now which seem to work fine (although easier to wrinkle).

I just think the absorption on the patches is very different between types of patches and not as good as the gel, even with estradot which I get good absorption with. I feel better than I did and think I must have never been on the right amount. I don't know if I feel sad or frustrated that it's taken me years to get this sorted . I suggest the gel, because this big patches are a bit of a nightmare.

I am thinking of trying the gel, but the patches are supposed to be a more even dosage to avoid migraine.

The 25 patches are a sensible size. Anything over 50 must be very unwieldy.

I got the overlapping/tandem hint off a friend who had been on estradot for years, but was changed to a generic prescription for cost reasons, before all the shortages.