@albiet, the hydrocortisone was prescribed by my PCP. I am fairly sensitive to meds so I started at 2.5 mg. twice a day due to getting insomnia from them. I gradually increased the dosage to 10 mg. and took it in the morning. I used a compounding pharmacy. It really helped turn things around for me where nothing else I tried made that much difference in managing the pain. But, I had to taper very, very slowly over a few months. I tried to taper once too quickly which didn’t work as the pain increased. The other side effects taking it long term which you probably know are high blood pressure, osteopenia. It was such a low dose that it did not cause any weight gain or puffiness. It also helped with increased energy as I was so tired from the pain drain! -Laura