perimenopause and Ortho Evra patch

I just came back from NYC to see Dr. Steven Goldstein who wrote the book "Could it be Perimenopause". He is an expert on the subject. I have been having a year from hell. Anxiety, no sleep, Depression and just not feeling like me any more. I finally started Paxil about 6 weeks ago and I am at the lowest dose (12.5mg) and it's not working at all. I am sleeping better, but I have this heaviness in my chest that won't go away and restlessness that won't quit. Anyway, Dr. Goldstein wants to try me on the Ortho Evra patch to even out my hormones. Has anyone tried this method for relief from perimenopause? I was going to double the paxil, but he said to try the hormone patch and see if I feel better, then I will know it was the patch and not the paxil. Any suggestions from anyone out there suffering from these symptoms?