Tia

I am glad this has been of help. The one thing I would do before going on HC is to get your ND to do some saliva testing to see what your cortisol is doing at various times of the day - don't know where you live - US, UK? - there are various places where you can have it done. The other thing is to know your adrenal symptoms - which are in the two links I have posted in this thread (the one from dr Rind and Durrant Peatfield). I was a clear cut case - shaky, fluey (which is low cortisol), couldn't handle stress (still can't)coffee sent me to sleep, thin, internal shuddering, no stamina at all, housebound. I also take Florinef, which is replacement aldosterone, another adrenal steroid which regulates sodium and potassium. My adrenals are a MESS, but I do feel them get a little stronger with the support I am giving them. Without the steroids, I have no doubt I would be bedridden and housebound.

BTW - I see the top endo in Europe - Thierry Hertoghe - who is pioneering the use of Armour and other hormones. He himself takes HC every day, and has done for years. All his practitioners do. Makes him feel better and gives more energy. He is certainly not scared of it!

I tried the glandulars and licorice, and they got me out of bed at Christmas time, but I was still producing massive amounts of adrenalin and shaking like a leaf. I couldn't increase my Armour as the adrenals couldn't tolerate it with that low level of support. My view is, if you need it, you need it. You wouldn't not take insulin if you're a diabetic, and this is the same. Coming off the pred will be difficult, I'm sure, but this is now, and I need it now. I'm 40 and have a life to live. I can't NOT function. FYI, I am taking 2 grains of Armour and 5mg Pred (the equivalent of 20mg HC). I also take a small bedtime dose. I intend to get up to 3 grains of Armour as I still have hypo symptoms.

Best

Nicola