Re: hydrocortisone/cortisol

Jill-
Are you supposed to begin the cortef slowly? I have been taking 5 mg 3X's per day and have not seen an improvement in my energy level. I am on 15mg, which is a low dose, it looks like people take at least 20mg (from the research I did). I have actually been more tired since I switched from the isocorts to the hydrocortisone but I feel better. I feel less anxious and jumpy. I had obsessive compulsive symptoms for years and they have diminished since starting the cortef. I feel more in the moment and less depressed. I am really tired though, the desicated glandular adrenal supplements and isocorts really gave me a lift in energy but it was the wrong type of energy, like when you drink coffee. I have noticed that my stamina is the safe all day not and not up and down...before I felt like an emotional roller coaster most of the time. I have been taking the cortef for 4 days now and was wondering when you began feeling the energy from it. I was on hydrocortisone shots before the pills and started on 2.5 mg a few times a week and then 5mg a few times a week. With the shots you get energy right away. I did those for 3 months. It wasn't enough for me so I switched to the pills. I have low T3 as well but have tried going on armour several times and feel horrible because my adrenals are too weak to handle the energy the thyroid meds give me. I know I need T3, he wants me to start on a very small dose of only 2.5mcg (some people take up to 50) but even that was giving me heart palpatations. I know I need to build my adrenals first. I was also on T4 only years ago and felt horrible! Did you have to build your adrenals first before the thyroid and for how long? Are you still on the cortef? Sorry this is so long, I really want to make sure I get this right but I think I may just have to play around with my dose. I am anxious to start feeling better so I can get back to work!!! You say that you have high cortisol at night, does that mean that you have the most energy at night? That's how I am, I feel the best from about 6pm to midnight but try to force myself to go to bed by 10:30 or 11:00. I know I need to go to bed even earlier, like 10. I will start graphing my temps, thanks! Tweet