Hi. I've only just picked up your thread so not sure if you will read my reply .....
I have had Addisons for 6 years and have learnt a deal about it in that time. If you are ok on 40mg a day that is what you need to stay alive! If you need less you will know about that as you will have high steroid symptoms - feel agitated, bloated, be constipated, have palpitations, not be able able to sleep etc (do an online search for more info). Remember you are taking replacement medication as you cannot produce the hormone cortisol. So the manufactured cortisone is doing the job for you. If your dose is as correct as you can manage (everyone is different) you should have very few body damaging symptoms. You cannot stay alive without taking steroids if your adrenal glands have packed up! If you need to adjust your dose, do so very very slowly and carefully, giving your body time to adjust. I hope this helps.