Oestrogen patches for FET - any advice on removing them without screaming?!

[anz07]

I am having to take Elleste Solo oestrogen patches for my medicated FET and boy do they hurt when I have to remove them (it feels like I'm ripping my skin off!!). Does anyone have advice on how to easily remove these patches?

Also, I'm wondering if anyone else has been on this protocol - I have taken Fyremadel injections (1 every morning) for 7 days, alongside one oestrogen patch every other day. I've now stopped the injections and have to apply two oestrogen patches every other day. First scan is next week.

I've never done a medicated FET before and am confused as to what is actually happening?! My period finished quite abruptly but, other than that, I feel pretty normal. Am worried the medicine isn't doing what it's meant to be doing!

[Gemgem84]

Hi lovelyI can’t advise on the oestrogen patches I’m afraid as I have been prescribed tablets. I know at work to remove pain patches etc baby oil helps them come off easier.

I didn’t really feel any symptoms until I started the progesterone 2 weeks later... then I turned into a hormonal lunatic 😂😂 I didn’t have fyremadel either but had that on my fresh cycle.

It seems each clinic has a different protocol but they’re the experts!

[Murielsmom]

Hi, I was also on patches.

I found that using some oil (like baby oil or any kind of skin oil) while removing really helps to neutralise the glue on the patch.

Also, I would time the patches around my workouts and would do a workout just before I had to remove it. The sweat from your skin dislodges the patch and it usually just slips right off after.

Hope that helps and best of luck!

[anz07 in reply to Murielsmom]

Thank you so much, that is really helpful! I managed to take the patches off in a warm shower yesterday which was far less painful. Will definitely give the oil and workout a go too! xx

[km307]

Hi anz, I wondered how it was going on this protocol? Have you had many side effects? I have started on the same protocol today. Thanks!

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Hi km307, all has been fine so far. No nasty side effects. I feel rather tired at times and did have a twitch in my eye for a few days (!) but, other than that, all fine. Had my scan yesterday and my lining is at 13mm which is good. Have my transfer scheduled for next week. Let me know how you get on with yours! xx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

That's good to hear, and great news on the thick lining! Fingers crossed for your transfer and I'll let you know how I get on x

[km307]

Hi anz, how is it going? Did you have your transfer this week?

I've finished all my fyremadel injections and have my scan on Monday. I'm a bit concerned that my lh levels have started to increase today, which might mean I'm going to ovulate and the cycle might be cancelled 😔

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Hi km307, yes I had my transfer on Wednesday. All went well thanks - two grade C embryos on board! Thankful for the opportunity but am already dreading test day!! I’m sorry to hear that you’re worried about ovulating. How do you know about your lh levels? No one ever mentioned this to me!! 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have everything crossed for your scan on Monday. 🤞🏽 Keep me updated xxx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

That's great news! Sending lots of sticky baby dust to you and fingers crossed the 2ww isn't too stressful for you.

I thought I'd check with some ovulation stick tests and my levels have gone up over the past couple of days. I have my scan on Monday, so I'll find out then, but will probably keep checking over the weekend... I really hope it's ok, I've got my heart set on a transfer soon xxx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Ah okay, I see how you know such details now! My understanding is that we’re meant to ovulate during the cycle? It’s after we ovulate that we then proceed to transfer...I think?! Hope you get some answers on Monday! Wishing you the best of luck xxx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

I really hope so, my levels have risen more today. I thought the fyremadel was meant to stop ovulation but maybe I've got that wrong. xx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

Had my scan today and there's a huge follicle or cyst, so they have taken bloods to check, but if it looks like I'm going to ovulate, they will cancel the cycle. So frustrating!

How is your 2ww going? xxx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Hi km307, I'm so sorry to hear that you might have a cyst. Keeping everything crossed that you get the all clear and are able to continue. If your cycle is cancelled, I can imagine the upset and frustration this will cause. That said, it's better to go to transfer in the best shape possible to give your embryo/s the best chance. If that means waiting a little longer, it's best to do so. (I know such statements make us want to scream! I have had to delay treatment for different reasons and I know how tedious and upsetting it can be). Let me know how you're getting on in the coming days - always here if you want to vent!

The 2ww is going okay thanks. We had a bit of a wobble over the weekend as my progesterone levels came back low which panicked us. I've had to double my dose of Lubion now (lucky me!). I had another blood test test today so will see if the levels have increased...here's hoping xx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

Had the call from my clinic and it's good news! They confirmed that it is a small cyst and so transfer can go ahead next week on Tuesday. But this nurse advised me to transfer two, and now I don't know what to do. I have five (2 A, 3C) and I had been thinking of only doing one, but now I don't know...

I hope the results are as good for you when you get them. Keeping everything crossed for you, when is OTD? xx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

That’s amazing news! I’m so happy for you! Will be thinking of you next Tuesday and keeping everything crossed. 🤞🏽 Gosh I don’t know what you should do re transferring 2! I transferred 2 for the first time this time and they were both grade C (one day 5 and one day 6). The clinic only agreed to transfer two as they were lower quality...although, seeing as it’s my fourth transfer, I think two was definitely worth a shot irrelevant of the grading! How deep into the IVF journey are you? One of my friends had a double transfer for her first transfer and got a negative. Her second transfer she had another double transfer (of low quality embryos) and got a very strong positive. 7w scan confirmed twins. So you just never know!! Best of luck with your decision making. My OTD is Sunday...and so the roller coaster continues xx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

Thanks, it's such a tough call! This is my first FET, but I'm 40, nearly 41, so the advice is based on age and likelihood of more abnormal embryos.

Good luck on Sunday, I'll be thinking of you xx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Thank you! 🤞🏽 I would go for two - it increases the chance of success very marginally...but marginally is still better than nothing! Best of luck next week xxx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

Hi anz, how are you doing? Have you been tempted to test early? xx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Hi km307, all good here thanks. I have gone completely rogue this cycle and started testing from 4dp. 😳 We were amazed to see the line getting stronger and stronger. Today was OTD and we have a strong positive and are 2-3 weeks on the Clear Blue digital. We’re in disbelief. Our previous 3 cycles have all been weak positives that quickly faded away. We’re terrified the same thing will happen but are reassured by the strength of the line as we’ve never had such a strong positive before. Constantly anxious and desperately hoping things continue to progress. 🤞🏽 I will be keeping everything crossed for you and thinking of you on Tuesday. 2 Grade C is clearly the way to go!! 🤪 xxx

[km307 in reply to anz07]

Congratulations!!! That's amazing news, I'm so pleased for you. Here's wishing you a very happy and healthy pregnancy.

I've decided on transferring two, and planning on early testing too. I hope I see the same as you 🤞🤞 xx

[anz07 in reply to km307]

Thank you so much. It’s very early days and I’m super anxious...but holding onto hope. 🤞🏽 I never planned on testing early but freaked out last weekend as we found out my progesterone levels were too low. We were both so distraught that it might have affected implantation so I fell off the wagon and tested. We’d always tried to wait until OTD in the past (or at least the day before!). Wishing you all the very best and will be keeping everything crossed for you xxx