Have been on combipatch HRT since Dec. with great results. All of a sudden, some of the more severe meno symptoms (joint pain, fatigue, etc.) seem to be appearing on the day the patch should be replaced. Wondering if somehow I am absorbing too quickly or estrogen dipping too low? Anyone else had any problems with patch? Thanks alot.

It's very interesting to me that you posted this today. I was feeling the same way yesterday, everything hurt! I got out of the shower this morning and realized that my patch was almost all the way off. I had to replace it 2 days early. Today I feel fine even though it's 90 degrees out!

I am on an estradiol patch (generic) and I hate them! They never stay on. I think what you say may be true though. I wondered too if it was a dip in estrogen.

Yes ladies, this is most definitely a dip in estrogen causing the fatigue and joint pain. I've been monthly cycling 2 mg. oral estradiol and 100 mg. prometrium 25 days on and 5 days off for over a year now. Within 24 hours of being off the BHRT each month I have the all same symptoms.

RellieA

thanks so much. at least I feel like I'm not going crazy. you girls are the best.

Vliet says that it has been her clinical experience (and she's done studies) that the patch OFTEN wears off prior to the expected date. She has her patients change more often in order to keep estrogen levels steady.

I've been on Combipatch since August 2006 and I've never experienced any problems other than bleeding and breast soreness which went away once I started cutting my patch in half and continuing to change it every 3rd day. I've never experienced what you are experiencing with the patch. Sorry I can't help but thought I would share anyway.

Patrice

I went to the dr. this morning and talked to him about putting me back on the Vivelle patch. I went off it because our insurance company decided to make it a non-preferred med which made it very expensive. Now that we have changed insurance companies, I can go back on it. That should help!

I used to be on a patch that was suppose to be changed every 7 days - but it had a "drop off" after 5 days! If I changed it every 5 days, I was ok. But my insurance company not only wouldn't pay for it that often - they decided they wouldn't pay for patches at all! Turned out to be a blessing in disguise - I've done much better on oral estrogen and adding testosterone cream. (I've had a hysterectomy and don't need progesterone - praise the Lord because I react very negative to it!)

Also, while I was on them, I discovered the patches worked better on one side of my body than the other - weird, but true!

Zelma