Hi Laura,
I started with the X39 during the day, and the Aeon at night at first. I didn't get the cortisol symptoms, but I had other symptoms, like I couldn't move at all. Just sit in a chair or lie down, that's it. I probably had heart palpitations, too. From there I tried them every other day, and every second day, or 4 hours a day. It was just too much. I didn't get the cortisol issues, but I felt that my body was just working too hard. I could feel it, and it knocked every bit of energy out of me. Even feeling great joy about something had enormous backlash. After about a month to 6 weeks of every other day or something to that effect, I was able to wear them everyday. After about another month of stability, I was ready to add Glutathione to the other two, wearing the G in the daytime. Then it was a roller coaster ride for about another 6 weeks, with being glued to the chair or floor, feeling awful and flu-like and somewhat nauseous. After I drank water with food grade green clay in it...a half to a full teaspoon, I would always feel better.
So, at about 3 months from the start...(and no longer using the Glutathione except for occasional use when I "felt" I needed it and could handle it for a couple of days) I would add a new patch and use it for just 1 month to work on that particular system. These were SP6, Carnisine and Alavida.
I don't know about steroids...but what I've been told is that the patches can't hurt you, no matter what you're taking, or what issues your body has. I don't know anything about steroids though, because they're very different.
I think you should go super easy on yourself, and super slow. Take your time. The work that the patches do in the body continues for a time after you wear them. Your system is just too weak right now. Easy does it. One step at a time. You will get there. After having our lives stolen from us, it's not easy to be patient, I know. But try to enjoy this healing time, and give your body all of the rest in every way it needs. Maybe journal...maybe read this, which I did, along my journey. It was very comforting.
https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Wild-Snail-Eating/dp/161620642X Learning to listen to our bodies is something that we can keep for the rest of our lives, along with being the one person who knows how to support ourselves.