I don't know about u guys and girls but ever since I've downloaded Dawnguard my expert level difficulty play has been extremely difficult more so than before. Is this a glitch or is this permanent adjustment?

I was thinking the same thing. I find myself saving a lot more now. Bears are still scary as hell... :/

Not if your sword and board!

I'm a light armor, 2-hand sword user... They can be hard. One of the hardest fight I fought was the cave right before Fort Dawnguard. You have to fight like 5 cave beats at the same time.