The types you have used are all identical apart from being either a 1mg or 2mg dose of estrogen. They all contain estradiol and the progestin Norethisterone.
Why did you swap from Elleste to Novofem? (Same thing but simply a different name.)
With the combined continuous patch, bleeding is an expected side effect for up to 6 months . This is until the action of the progestin works fully to stop any lining growing and shedding. This is a downside of combined but it's something that has to be tolerated and it stops in the end, for most women !
Is there any reason you can't have Elleste again? If it suited you it seems a shame you aren't using it now and there is a 2mg conti version.
The breast tenderness often goes away after 3 months and if not, a reduced dose of estrogen is what is often suggested. It's understandable that you are having problems restarting after a gap of 18 months. Also, the joint pain etc may have been because you have come off HRT and will ease once you are settled on the right dose. two weeks is too soon to judge.
Another type to try is an estrogen-only patch, or gel, and micronised progesterone daily (to give the conti version.) With a separate estrogen patch, there is more variation in the estrogen dose and also, with gel, you can use whatever amount works without having to keep going back to the dr to try new pills or patches.