Today I took an even smaller dose to avoid the usual adverse symptoms, they were less severe but I felt no positive effects. Perhaps the dose of cortisol is too little. Two hours later, I felt the slump again (I suspect my cortisol was low again, but lower than usual), and felt pretty dizzy and aggravated. I know that this is reported with patients who take HC, they have to consistently supplement throughout the day in small doses.
I think I'm going to continue with a larger dose and hope that the paradoxical symptoms wear off a little eventually. If not, I may just have to resort to hydrocortisone (I have no idea if I'll get ever get prescription), it's essentially my last chance.