I can't take it either, it causes adrenal suppression in me.  You might
want to discuss your reaction to it with an  endo, because it's
suggesting of HPA axis abnormality, something I have:

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Nov;1033:147-57.  Links
Modulatory effects of L-carnitine on glucocorticoid receptor activity.
Manoli I, De Martino MU, Kino T, Alesci S.
Endocrine Section, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
L-carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-N,N,N-trimethylaminobutyrate) is a
conditionally essential nutrient with a major role in cellular energy
metabolism. It is available in the United States as both a prescription
drug and an over-the-counter nutritional supplement. Accumulating
evidence from both animal and human studies indicates that pharmacologic
doses of L-carnitine (LCAR) have immunomodulatory effects resembling
those of glucocorticoids (GC). On the other hand, in contrast to GC,
which cause bone loss, LCAR seems to have positive effects on bone
metabolism. To explore the molecular bases of this GC-like activity of
LCAR, we investigated its effects on glucocorticoid receptor
(GR)-modulated cytokine release ex vivo, and on the transcriptional
activity, intracellular trafficking, and binding of GR in vitro. At high
noncytotoxic doses, LCAR (a) suppressed the
lipopolysaccharide-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and
interleukin-12 from primary human monocytes in a GC-like fashion, (b)
stimulated the transcriptional activity of GR on the GC-responsive
promoters, (c) triggered nuclear translocation of green fluorescent
protein (GFP)-fused GR, and (d) reduced the whole cell binding of
[(3)H]-dexamethasone to GR. These results suggest that LCAR is a
"nutritional modulator" of the GR, by acting as an agonist-like
compound. Since LCAR appears to have positive effects on bone
metabolism, in contrast to GC, LCAR may share some of the therapeutic
properties of GC, particularly on the immune system, but not their
deleterious side effects on some of other organs/tissues. Thus, LCAR is
potentially a useful alternative compound of GC in particular
therapeutic situations. The clinical and therapeutic implications of
these findings, as well as a better understanding of their mechanisms,
warrant further research.
PMID: 15591012 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: FASEB J. 2003 Aug;17(11):1553-5. Epub 2003 Jun 17.  Links
L-carnitine: A nutritional modulator of glucocorticoid receptor functions.
Alesci S, De Martino MU, Mirani M, Benvenga S, Trimarchi F, Kino T,
Chrousos GP.
Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1583, USA. alescis@mail.nih.gov
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient with a major role in cellular
energy production. There is evidence that, at high doses, L-carnitine
might mimic some of the biological activities of glucocorticoids,
especially immunomodulation. To explore the molecular basis of this
effect, we tested the influence of L-carnitine on glucocorticoid
receptor-alpha (GRalpha) functions. Millimolar concentrations of
L-carnitine, which were not cytotoxic in vitro, significantly reduced
the whole cell binding of [3H]dexamethasone to GRalpha by decreasing the
affinity of this receptor for its steroid ligand. At the same
concentrations, L-carnitine was able to trigger nuclear translocation of
green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused human GRalpha and transactivate
the glucocorticoid-responsive mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and TAT3
promoters in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect was solely dependent
on the presence of glucocorticoid-responsive elements on the promoter
and on the expression of functional GRalpha by the cell. Finally,
similarly to glucocorticoids, L-carnitine suppressed tumor necrosis
factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-12 release by human primary
monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide ex vivo. Both GRalpha
transactivation and cytokine suppression by L-carnitine were abrogated
by the GRalpha-antagonist RU 486. Taken together, our results suggest
that pharmacological doses of L-carnitine can activate GRalpha and,
through this mechanism, regulate glucocorticoid-responsive genes,
potentially sharing some of the biological and therapeutic properties of
glucocorticoids.
PMID: 12824292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Jun;1024:147-52.  Links
L-Carnitine is a modulator of the glucocorticoid receptor alpha.
Alesci S, De Martino MU, Kino T, Ilias I.
Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health,
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1284, USA.
alescisa@mail.nih.gov
L-Carnitine (LC) is a nutrient with an essential role in cellular energy
production. At high doses, LC can mimic some of the biological
activities of glucocorticoids, particularly immunomodulation. To explore
the molecular bases of this property, we tested the influence of LC on
glucocorticoid receptor-a (GRalpha) functions. LC reduced the binding
capacity of GRalpha, induced its nuclear translocation, and stimulated
its transcriptional activity. Moreover, LC suppressed TNFalpha and IL-12
release from human monocytes in glucocorticoid-like fashion. We conclude
that pharmacologic doses of LC can activate GRalpha and, via this
mechanism, regulate glucocorticoid-responsive genes, potentially sharing
some of the biological and therapeutic properties of glucocorticoids.
PMID: 15265779 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Susan

Hi,
Unfortunately, I haven't taken any classes. I am a single mom, I work
full-time about an hour away from home, take care of the kids and then
write at night for some extra money.  I missed a few hours of work
yesterday and I will see that in my paycheck.  I don't have insurance
so I can't go to a doctor, unless I go to the emergency room, and I
can't take any classes.  I have learned a lot from you guys and I am
so thankful for all of your help. I woke up this morning and it was 58
so I had some juice and then some eggs. It used to be around 140 or so
in the morning so this is just weird to me. I just feel like a little
fuzzy, but not as bad as yesterday.  I have changed about 95% of the
way I used to eat and I exercise and am really trying to take care of
myself. That is why yesterday threw me for such a loop.  I appreciate
the links you guys send and I check them out. :)
Cindy