Cwtch, Elleste Duet was the first one I tried, I couldn't tolerate the progesterone section, on Conti I would have been even worse.
The progesterone in Elleste Duet and Conti, Norethisterone, can often give intolerable side effects and you may have to try a few others to see how your body responds. I knew more or less immediately that the prog made me ill, I hasten to add that's just me though, and it was discovered that I am severely prog intolerant.
Usually women are not given Conti (no bleed) until they are well post meno, ie. in 50s - at a younger age, sequi (bleed) regime is normally prescribed - so I'm not sure why your GP has given you a Conti - often GPs don't have a clue. After trying several HRTs and feeling increasingly worse, my GP admitted that the advice I needed was beyond her remit and referred me to a meno clinic that I've attended ever since.
As you're probably aware, the fluctuation / loss of hormones affects our whole body, including the nervous system and brain - there is a really strong estrogen / serotonin connection, so once the estrogen fluctuates / drops, rotten anxiety and depression can set in. Estrogen often helps, getting the right dose, especially in peri-meno, can be tricky.
Can only relay my experience - but we're all so uniquely different and respond differently, it's all trial and error.
Now I'm c.9 years down the long HRT road. I can only be honest and say the anxiety has subsided somewhat but it still lurks. The fluctuation of hormones in the 40s can be the worst time for anxiety, until they settle to a more stable, low level.
Quite a few women are prescribed a regime of estrogen patch (patch is often better as it gives more even delivery) and Utrogestan - bioidentical progesterone, purportedly the most 'user friendly' of the progesterones (if there is such a thing for those of us who are sensitive to prog). Utrogestan can be taken oral or used as a vag pessary, monthly or long cycle, which results in a withdrawal bleed after stopping the Utrogestan. (I'm on low dose patch, long cycle).
The topic of estrogen gel or patch and Utrogestan is discussed a lot on here, if you do a search, top right hand box.
I do sympathise as I know how hard it is to carry on working when you feel like this. And you feel you shouldn't be in meno so young, I was raging at my body. It is a challenge to try and work out what the body is doing.
Magnesium citrate supplements, taken at night, can help with relaxation. ADs, I just can't tolerate them at all, estrogen is the thing that in my case helps the depression/anxiety to a degree.
Maybe another trip to see your GP and ask for a change of regime, suggesting that you feel taking constant progesterone is not agreeing with you, that you're being proactive and researching and maybe would like to try another sequi regime - possibly the estrogen patch 50 /Utrogestan regime.
Night_Owl
x
