Hi, my name is Justina and I’m new to this board. From what I’ve seen it looks like a wonderful source of information and support. It’s too bad that these kind of resources weren’t around in the 80’s when I was diagnosed with CAH. (Sorry if I’m getting sidetracked) I was diagnosed when I was 3, and there wasn’t a whole lot known about the disease at the time (by the general medical field anyway). I’m 20 now, but for some as of yet unknown reason I was taken off Cortef at age 8. So I’ve been untreated for all these years untill a few days ago. The doctors just put me back on the Cortef, and I’ve been doing some research about the whole disease, and treatments. I’m basically new to the whole thing, because my mother never really knew much about it herself, and untill now I knew virtually nothing. Well, the reason I’m here is because the information that I’ve looked at so far (not all that much) has been very discouraging! The list of side effects alone with Cortef almost brought me to tears, not to mention the fun decreased immune function with the over all disease. As of yet I don’t even know what enzyme deficiancy I have, but I’ve been told it’s not full blown. None the less, my immune system on it’s own was already very weak, as I get sick a lot and have a problem with antibiotic resistent staph infections. (Thats probably too much information, but I don’t know where else to get these possible answers). So what I’m getting at is this: Is there anyone out there who can shed some light on these side effects, i.e. has anyone experienced them, are they severe? The major ones I’m concerned with are, the weakened immune system of course, vulnurability towards infection, weight gain, loss of sex drive (for lack of a better word), depression, osteoperosis, and anything else that I can’t think of right now that might happen over long term use. Also, is Cortef the most widely used treatment, or are there alternatives? I’m not sure if anyone who reads this will have answers, but if so great! Thanks for taking the time to read this :)