Vivelle-Dot and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Tho...
• November 8, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I would not recommend generic estradiol patch by Mylan. It is a total waste of money. I was given Vivelle-Dot after surgery. It worked great, the brain fog and the mood swings disappeared. I could tolerate myself and my family. My husband and kids would tell me that I seemed happier. I really felt like a brand new person. Over the years, the cost, even with insurance, just gradually went up and now my insurance doesn't pay at all. So the pharmacy switched me to Mylan, the generic. This patch wouldn't stay on for more than a couple of hours before I had to tape it on. The feelings of being on edge, anxiety, mood swings, anger, fatigue, and hot flashes were unbearable. Vivelle-Dot by Novartis is the only one I have found that I can take. I'm now having to have my doctor put brand name only so the pharmacy will fill it, and I have to pay out of pocket for them at $206 a box. The pharmacist keeps trying to switch me back to generic. I keep telling them it's like throwing money away if it doesn't work."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 2, 2013

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Was on Vivelle-Dot 0.05 plus Prometrium for 4.5 years; felt great. Stopped for 1 year because I worried that being on HRT for 14 years (Prempro for 10 years) total was risky & maybe I was now 'beyond' the hot flashes, etc. Well... I felt lousy the entire time I was without HRT (1 year)... hot flashes, sleepless nights, brain fog, etc. Now I'm back on Vivelle-Dot & Prometrium... feeling so much better! I don't think I'll ever give up this. Plus, the estrogen helps my osteoporosis & vaginal dryness."

• Ter...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 65 yo. I have no uterus but both ovaries. Menopause began around 55. Severe mood swings, disabling hot flashes all day and night, unable to sleep, severe brain fog (I couldn't put two sentences together), dry skin. I was miserable. My poor husband. I went to 6 female doctors (I figured a male doc would be clueless), always asking the front desk if the doctor treated menopause...they usually have no idea and just say yes. I actually had one ob/gyn tell me she doesn't do menopause, she just delivers babies. Finally, with some luck and persistence, I found one. I began Vivelle-Dot estradiol transdermal patch system 2 times a week. .025, no effect. .050, no effect. .075...boom. Within 3 days no hot flashes, within a week no mood swings & fog cleared. Dry skin gone. Went on Medicare. Medicare wouldn't cover it. I appealed. My doctor appealed. I went back to miserable for 4 months. They wanted me to pay $580 for 3 months supply. Generic off-brand labels want me to pay $68 per month."

• Nee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2018

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I started on Vivelle-Dot after taking several antidepressants, which only made my symptoms worse! I finally convinced doctors I did not need the antidepressants. I take Vivelle 0.375 in addition to progesterone. My postmenopausal symptoms were: hot flashes, 3-4 hours of sleep nightly, brain fog, anxiety, weight loss, and many more. I am working closely with my doctor, and Vivelle-Dot has been life-changing. It does take about 1 1/2 months for minor side effects of the medicine to go away-be patient."