What Dosage of Transdermal Patch to begin with?

[cindy]

Hi...anyone can share this info ?

Just curious what dosage of Transdermal Patch is ideal to start with ?

Any good brands to recommend ?

[rxpharm]

Cindy, a few questions before a suggestion can be made.

Are you preop? I am guessing that you are.
Do you smoke?
Do you know if the patch is available in Malaysia? There are two major brands, Estraderm, and Climara available in Thailand, but I am not sure what the situation is for Malaysia.

[cindy]

(rxpharm @ Oct. 17 2008,23:35) Cindy, a few questions before a suggestion can be made.

Are you preop? I am guessing that you are.
Do you smoke?
Do you know if the patch is available in Malaysia? There are two major brands, Estraderm, and Climara available in Thailand, but I am not sure what the situation is for Malaysia...

Hi rxpharm.. thanks for your reply...

Yes Im a preop...I don smoke...

Im not sure whether this is available here in malaysia...but i guess if it has been out for quite some time..then it should b available in pharmacies here..

[rxpharm]

(cindy @ Oct. 17 2008,21:37) Hi rxpharm.. thanks for your reply...

Yes Im a preop...I don smoke...

Im not sure whether this is available here in malaysia...but i guess if it has been out for quite some time..then it should b available in pharmacies here..

Cindy, it's good that you don't smoke as that will reduce the effectiveness of the estrogen patches or oral tablets.

Since you are preop, you need to use a higher dose than a postop or menopausal genetic girl.

You should start at the 100 mcg/day Estraderm patch or the 0.1 mg/day Climara patch.

The Estraderm patch is supposed to be changed every 3 days, but you can probably leave it on for 5 days before changing to a new patch.

The Climera patch is supposed to be changed every 7 days, but you can probably leave it on for 10 days before changing.

I have bought some patches for some lb friends to try. Some didn't like it because the adhesive irritated their skin - and I think in hot climates like Thailand it's a bigger problem. Malaysia might be as well.

For those who didn't have skin irritation, they liked it a lot.

One other thing - patches may be more expensive than the oral tablets.

[Guest]

Dear Cindy,

Your question is best suited to your Doctor instead of a message board, do yourself a favor and get Professional Advice, Good Luck!

[cindy]

(rxpharm @ Oct. 19 2008,03:06)

(cindy @ Oct. 17 2008,21:37) Hi rxpharm.. thanks for your reply...

Yes Im a preop...I don smoke...

Im not sure whether this is available here in malaysia...but i guess if it has been out for quite some time..then it should b available in pharmacies here..

Cindy, it's good that you don't smoke as that will reduce the effectiveness of the estrogen patches or oral tablets.

Since you are preop, you need to use a higher dose than a postop or menopausal genetic girl.

You should start at the 100 mcg/day Estraderm patch or the 0.1 mg/day Climara patch.

The Estraderm patch is supposed to be changed every 3 days, but you can probably leave it on for 5 days before changing to a new patch.

The Climera patch is supposed to be changed every 7 days, but you can probably leave it on for 10 days before changing.

I have bought some patches for some lb friends to try. Some didn't like it because the adhesive irritated their skin - and I think in hot climates like Thailand it's a bigger problem. Malaysia might be as well.

For those who didn't have skin irritation, they liked it a lot.

One other thing - patches may be more expensive than the oral tablets.

Thanks rxpharm

I will try to look for this in the pharmacy

How long will this patch starts show obvious effect ?

[cindy]

(bardamu @ Oct. 19 2008,08:11) Dear Cindy,

Your question is best suited to your Doctor instead of a message board, do yourself a favor and get Professional Advice, Good Luck!

Hi bardamu..

Thanks for your advise..

I wil try to ask the advise fr experience pharmacist or doctor..

[cindy]

Hi...I saw another brand which is Divigel available at 1mg/dose.

Is this recommended ?

[rxpharm]

Cindy, Divigel is a female hormone gel, each dose is in a sachet, which you squeeze out and rub onto the recommended area. It may be better than the patch as there is adhesive to cause skin irritation.

A good place to start is 1 mg/dose once a day.

[cindy]

(rxpharm @ Oct. 23 2008,03:06) Cindy, Divigel is a female hormone gel, each dose is in a sachet, which you squeeze out and rub onto the recommended area. It may be better than the patch as there is adhesive to cause skin irritation.

A good place to start is 1 mg/dose once a day.

Thanks rxpharm

By the way, any known side effects of this gel or patches ?
Another question is, can it affect my errection ?

[Stogie]

(bardamu @ Oct. 19 2008,08:11) Your question is best suited to your Doctor instead of a message board, do yourself a favor and get Professional Advice...

RXPharm is a professional pharmacist whose interest (professional and otherwise) makes him an expert in this sort of thing.

The best advice you can get is right here on this messageboard.

[cindy]

Thanks Stogie

[rxpharm]

(cindy @ Oct. 23 2008,06:38) Thanks rxpharm

By the way, any known side effects of this gel or patches ?
Another question is, can it affect my errection ?

Cindy, some good news and bad news. There are very few side effects with estrogen treatment other than the feminization that will occur as long as you do not exceed the recommended doses.

However you should be watching out for blood clots. This can happen in a small percentage of patients.

Some bad news - sorry Cindy you can't have it both ways, yes your erections will be affected. However, you can stop hormone therapy for a period of time if you want to plan to have sex in advance. So for instance if you have a special visitor coming to see you, stop for about a week or two before arrival.

[cindy]

Thank you so much rxpharm

[cindy]

Hi rxpharm..

Do you have any idea how long it takes for this Divigel to show significant effects ?