Re: Patch

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sandy and Lynda for your replies. I will start the patch and see

what happens.

Thanks again,

B

[Guest guest]

I'm just new to this group, but I do have a suggestion for you.

You can buy in any drug store a product called Tegaderm. The come in

larger sheets. It's a type of see-thru/waterproof adherent dressing

that will hold the patch on and keep it dry, and you won't even know

you have it on. My son used to wear a patch. It was tiny and I used

the bandaids that are made out of the same type of material as the

Tegaderm I just pulled the gauze off of it before applying it over

the patch, you could leave it on too. They come in many different

sizes. I hope this helps.

Take care,

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just to let you know - I got my period ON THE DAY of my revision surgery!!! The nurses put some padding in between my legs as I was wheeled into the operating room.

After the surgery I have no idea what happened because I was out of it for several days. My flow either stopped or the nurses took care of it.

If you're very worried, maybe consult with the nursing department of the hospital where you're going to have your procedure?

I hope my 'story' helped a little.

Best of luck,

Andy (Concord MA)

-------------- Original message -------------- From: <vclark@...> Someone mentioned a "patch" to defer menstrual flow duringsurgery or post recovery. Does anyone have any more informationon that. When I'm nervous, it is a nightmare.

[Guest guest]

---

I do not think they will give you this while going thru surgery..I

beleive something with blood pressure, check with your doctor though..I

hope this is not a scary story but I was unlucky enough to get my

period after both surgeries...I just chalked it up to trauma to my

body!!! It was annoying but doable, just another hurdle to overcome!!!

<PA

In , <vclark@...> wrote:

>

> Someone mentioned a " patch " to defer menstrual flow during

> surgery or post recovery. Does anyone have any more information

> on that. When I'm nervous, it is a nightmare.

>

[Guest guest]

YEP. Me too. I started within two days following my first and third

surgeries. And yes, it sucks. This may have contributed to my blood

count being low after surgery as well. Nevertheless, I survived and am

pretty close to " back on schedule " now. Dr. Bridwell has commented

that he thinks it is related to the anesthesia. The nurses in the

hospital said it is more common with spine patients. Surely someone

has researched this!

> I do not think they will give you this while going thru surgery..I

> beleive something with blood pressure, check with your doctor

though..I

> hope this is not a scary story but I was unlucky enough to get my

> period after both surgeries...I just chalked it up to trauma to my

> body!!! It was annoying but doable, just another hurdle to

overcome!!!

> <PA

[Guest guest]

Using the patch will get the t into your blood stream and do a good job. But it

is a pain in the butt. They leave a rash so you need a HC cream so you will

heal in 7 days when you need to put the patch on the same spot. I used this for

a long time some say that they fall off never had this problem. Here is a Cut &

Paste about gels, creams and patchs.

Phil

TRANSDERMAL TESTOSTERONE

The term " transdermal " refers to topical testosterone delivery through the skin,

by the use of a patch, gel, or cream.

Transdermal testosterone is usually applied to the skin daily in small doses

in an effort to keep a steady level of testosterone in the system at all times.

This approach avoids the " peaks and valleys " in T-levels sometimes associated

with injectable testosterone. With injectables, T levels can reach a low-point a

few days before the next shot is due, which can cause irritability, hot flashes,

and low energy in some users. Daily transdermal application can help alleviate

such problems. Indeed, some FTMs who regularly use injectable testosterone

sometimes supplement with a gel or patch during the last few days of their

dosing cycle to maintain their T levels.

Transdermal application is also attractive to those individuals who are not

comfortable with needles and injections.

However, there are some disadvantages to transdermal delivery. Some forms of

daily transdermal testosterone application, particularly the patch, are

substantially more expensive than injectable testosterone. Testosterone patches

often cause skin irritation and/or allergic reactions to users. They can fall

off with excessive sweating, and they must be fully protected with plastic when

swimming. Testosterone cream and gel can be transferred by direct skin contact

with a partner; special care must be taken with female partners who wish to

avoid potential virilization.

Testosterone Patches

There are currently two brand-name testosterone patches available in the United

States: " Androderm " and " Testoderm. " (Note that there are two forms of Testoderm

available: a scrotal patch and a non-scrotal patch. The non-scrotal patch,

" Testoderm TTS, " is described herein). Generic testosterone patches are not yet

available. Both Androderm and Testoderm TTS are very fast-acting once they have

permeated the skin. The testosterone in the patches is suspended in an

alcohol-based gel.

In order to deliver the testosterone efficiently into the body, chemical

enhancers are added to the patch to increase permeability of the skin. It is

these enhancers that are often the cause of skin irritation in many users. Some

individuals find Testoderm TTS to be less irritating to the skin than Androderm,

but this will vary from person to person.

Androderm

Androderm patches come in two doses: 2.5 mg/patch and 5.0 mg/patch. The actual

amount of testosterone in the 2.5 mg patch is 12.2 mg, and the actual amount in

the 5.0 mg patch is 24.3 mg. The reason is that much of the testosterone in the

patch will not manage to get into the system. So, for example, the aim of the

2.5 mg patch is to get about 2.5 mg successfully into the bloodstream per day.

Therefore, it is possible to absorb slightly more or slightly less than the 2.5

mg of the patch's ideal dosage (the same reasoning, of course, applies to the

5.0 mg patch as well).

Androderm patches are usually applied on the back, abdomen, thighs, or upper

arms. Because the active area of the patch is covered, the wearer does not have

to worry about skin contact with a partner. Dosages will vary between 2.5 mg -

10 mg daily, by applying a single patch or combination of patches. As with any

form of testosterone, dosage should be determined by your overall health, your

testosterone levels as checked by your doctor, and your progress in

masculinization.

Testoderm TTS

There are two types of Testoderm patches: one is intended for scrotal

application, and one for application on other areas of the body. Testoderm TTS

refers to the non-scrotal version of the patch-- this is the patch that should

be used by FTMs.

Testoderm TTS patches come in two doses: 4.0 mg/patch and 6.0 mg/patch. As

with Androderm, the actual amount of testosterone in these patches is greater

than the listed dose. The reason is the same as explained above in the Androderm

section.

Testoderm TTS patches are usually applied on the back, abdomen, thighs, or

upper arms. Because the active area of the patch is covered, the wearer does not

have to worry about skin contact with a partner. Dosages will vary between 4.0

mg - 10 mg daily, by applying a single patch or combination of patches. As with

any form of testosterone, dosage should be determined by your overall health,

your testosterone levels as checked by your doctor, and your progress in

masculinization.

Gel and Cream

There are currently two brand-name versions of testosterone gel available in the

United States: Androgel and Testim. There are no brand-name testosterone creams

at this time. Both cream and gel formulations of testosterone can be made by

compounding pharmacies. (For more information about compounding pharmacies,

click here.) Gel formulations of testosterone are typically alcohol-based,

whereas creams are typically safflower oil-based. The testosterone in creams and

gels is typically very fast-acting once absorbed through the skin. Thus, it must

be reapplied once or twice daily to maintain T levels.

Creams and gels are applied directly onto the skin. Care must be taken to

avoid skin-to-skin contact with a partner on the site of application. Transfer

of the testosterone from the site can be prevented by keeping the area covered.

Androgel

Androgel is a clear, alcohol-based gel that contains 1% non-esterified

testosterone. It is very fast-acting once it has been absorbed by the skin, and

so must be reapplied at 1-2 times daily to maintain T levels. It is available in

either unit-dose packets or multiple-dose pumps. The unit dose packets contain

either 25 mg or 50 mg of testosterone. Approximately 10% of the applied

testosterone from the packets is absorbed into the system, resulting in an

effective dose of 2.5 mg or 5.0 mg, respectively.

Androgel should be applied to clean, dry skin and should not be applied to the

genital area. Application sites should be allowed to dry for a few minutes prior

to dressing. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after

application.

In order to prevent transfer to another person, clothing should be worn to

cover the application sites. If direct skin-to-skin contact with another person

is anticipated, the application sites should be washed thoroughly with soap and

water. Users should wait at least 2 hours after applying before showering or

swimming; for optimal absorption, it may be best to wait 5-6 hours.

Testim

Testim, like Androgel, is a clear, alcohol-based gel that contains 1%

non-esterified testosterone. It is very fast-acting once it has been absorbed by

the skin, and so must be reapplied at 1-2 times daily to maintain T levels. It

is available in 5.0g unit-dose tubes. A 5.0g unit dose tube contains 50 mg of

testosterone. Approximately 10% of the applied testosterone from the tube is

absorbed into the system, resulting in an effective dose of 5.0 mg.

Testim should be applied to clean, dry skin-- preferably to the shoulders

and/or upper arms. It should not be applied to the genitals or to the abdomen.

Application sites should be allowed to dry for a few minutes prior to dressing.

Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after application.

In order to prevent transfer to another person, clothing should be worn to

cover the application sites. If direct skin-to-skin contact with another person

is anticipated, the application sites should be washed thoroughly with soap and

water. Users should wait at least 2 hours after applying before showering or

swimming; for optimal absorption, it may be best to wait 5-6 hours.

Compounded creams and gels

Compounded creams and gels can be mixed by compounding pharmacies, and are

similar in dosing, application, and precautions to what is described above for

Androgel and Testim.

There are two advantages of using compounding pharmacies for testosterone gel

or cream. The first is cost: until a generic version of the gel is available,

compounded gel will usually be the cheaper alternative. The second is

customization: your doctor can write a prescription of varying concentration for

gels or creams. (For more information about compounding pharmacies, click here.)

williamb11 <no_reply > wrote:

Friends,

In my case, the Androgel and Testim both did not help my levels,

remaining in the 300's despite trying 2 different levels of both meds

for 2 weeks each level.

Should I expect similar results with the T patch? This would seem

logical, but I am not sure is this is worth pursuing given skin

irritation issues for many and MY poor absorption rates.

Thoughts?

Thanks and blessings,

Bill

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill,

I too have tried Androgel, the patch and now I am on Depo shots of 80mg a

week and that is enough for me. The other methods did not give me enough

total T so I dropped them years ago. I didn't discover until recently that

you

have to watch your E2 levels or it will kill your libido and you will end up

with

ED again. Shots worked fine for some time then dropped back into ED.

So just my experience with all three methods, the shots are far the best

I don't have much drop from week to week. I also take Cialis and that helps

too. Keep us updated on your condition and trials, we all need advise since

Endos don't know how to treat us we have to research for ourselves. Here

is a good read for all too if you haven't seen it.

Good luck,

Roy

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/109/109197.htm

williamb11 <no_reply > wrote:

Friends,

In my case, the Androgel and Testim both did not help my levels,

remaining in the 300's despite trying 2 different levels of both meds

for 2 weeks each level.

Should I expect similar results with the T patch? This would seem

logical, but I am not sure is this is worth pursuing given skin

irritation issues for many and MY poor absorption rates.

Thoughts?

Thanks and blessings,

Bill

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I also was a poor absorber. Tried the patch because my insurance made me. Had

severe reactions (big red bulls eye) and did not absorb. Also they are a pain to

wear. I ended up on shots which are far more superior in my opinion.

Arkansas

williamb11 <no_reply > wrote:

Friends,

In my case, the Androgel and Testim both did not help my levels,

remaining in the 300's despite trying 2 different levels of both meds

for 2 weeks each level.

Should I expect similar results with the T patch? This would seem

logical, but I am not sure is this is worth pursuing given skin

irritation issues for many and MY poor absorption rates.

Thoughts?

Thanks and blessings,

Bill

---------------------------------

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just

radically better.

[Guest guest]

Of the methods of delivery that I have tried, the patch is by far the worst. I

do not

recomend them at all. Skin irriations, poor absorption, and sweating the patch

off, make

for a poor deliver system.

There is a scrotal based patch that is supposed to be hitting the market.

Perhaps it is now

available here in the US. Our beloved FDA keeps many treatment options away

from us

when the Europeans seem to be more focused on getting the right delivery for the

right

person.

One issue that most Dr's do not account for is aromatase activity often takes

place in the

adipose tissues (fat), and from what i have experienced controling Estridiol via

limiting

aromatase activity is just as crucial as getting sufficient T.

Putting gel or cream on the scrotal tissues will actually give you more DHT

(might be

irriatating as well), and we need some DHT in our systems.

SB