Andrea,

I am also adrenal fatigued and was worried to try the Cortef. I tried natural alternatives for an entire year, with no improvement at all. I took liquid adrenal cortex supplement, sublingual vitamin B, and later adrenal cortex plus supplements pills. Nothing worked.

We eventually decided to try the Cortef, which is bioidentical. I was a little worried, but someone on here explained that your adrenal glands are meant to produce cortisol anyway, and that supplementing with it only gives your body the amount that you should be producing, but isn't due to the adrenal gland no longer functioning.

We started with 5 mg twice a day, went up to 10 mg in am and 5mg in afternoon, and now 10 and 10. We waited about 2 weeks at each level before increasing. Your body will let you know if it is too much for it, because you will have symptoms. That's why it's good to start low and slowly work your way up - that way, you don't overwhelm your body with too high of a dose. My doctor was shocked that I was able to handle this dose of cortef, but the fact that i get no ill side-effects from it, confirms for him that my adrenal gland is shot and truly needs it. He just warned not to suddenly stop taking it if i do end up with negative symptoms, but to call him first.

It seems to be helping a little bit so far, and I have a friend who it is helping tremendously.

Good luck with it!

~Tia