The Patch
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The Patch
| Sun, 03-26-2006 - 3:30pm |
I had used the patch for about 5 weeks, 4 weeks w patch and 1 week w/o patch. The 1st patch was usual from what i had heard, just getting use to the feeling of the patch. The 2nd week the patch kept peeling from my skin. The third week had some redness to the skin. Fourth week off, usual things. Fith week severe pain around the patch, so i removed it and there were open sores. All through the 5 weeks was really dizzy and nausious. I had a sharp pain in my chest that dropped me to the ground while i was walking when i was still wearing the patch. Since i stopped using the patch i still have dizzy spells, and my cycles have been odd.... i was only going 28 - 29 days in the cycle, now have 35 - 36 day cycles. I am worried because i had heard some horror stories about women and the patch due to the 64% increase of estrogen in the system. Anyone have any ideas on what to do?

Hi hopefullyblessed, welcome!
You were using a new location for each patch, right? Members using the patch have posted about having a reaction at the patch site but I if I remember correctly this is the first time anyone has posted about severe pain and open sores beneath the patch. It usually takes about 3 cycles on a pill, the patch or ring for your body to adjust to the hormones. However, under the circumstances with your chest pain and the reaction at your patch site I think you did the right thing to stop using it.
After you stop using hormonal birth control your cycles will usually return to what they were before you started using it. Does your doctor know that you stopped using the patch and the problems you had? The chest pain and now that you have stopped, the dizzy spells after being off the patch (for how long a cycle or more?) isn't a good thing. I think you should see your doctor as soon as you can, explain what has been happening and see what s/he thinks.
Thanks for posting. Please ask if you have more questions. I hope you are feeling better soon. Let us know what your doctor says and how you're doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill