Adult asthma symptoms and conditions

I was giving prednisone for only 5 days (not sure about dose, but it tapered to one pill on the last day) for a bronchitis induced severe asthma attack. I have only had asthma twice in my 50 years, both times associated with a bad case of bronchitis. The "doc in the box" reduced his original dosage due to the 3 corisone injections I recently had in my spine. After reading these posts I feel grateful I wasn't on a higher, longer term dose. I have some of the same side effects listed here including uncontrollable appetite, fat gain around the middle, water weight gain, constantly having to urinate, superhuman energy, heart palpitations, and approximately two weeks after finishing, I began to get a mustache (hairs that were previously white became brown over a two week period). I have read on the internet and been told by my pharmacist that this is temporary. I have also read and been told that the 2mg estradiol I take every day since my hysterectomy causes the body to retain and not rid itself of the steroids as it normally would (estrogen is actually listed as drug interaction with prednisone). The doctor in the box apparently just ignored this interaction and prescribed it anyway. However the main reason I am posting is a very strange possible side effect that occurred approximately 1 week after my final dose. I was awakened in the middle of the night with SEVERE pain (felt like bone pain, not muscle) in my right knee that lasted until morning. By mid morning it was gone. The next night I had the same experience but in both knees. It lasted about 5 more days, gradually tapering in intensity, and then just went away. I do have severe arthritis in my lumbar and cervical spine, having had surgeries to repair injuries from a snowmobiling accident. I have normal arthritis elsewhere for a 50 year old, but have NEVER had issues with my knees. Has anyone had this strange symptom? None of my doctors (internist, rheumatologist, physiatrist - who gave me the injections and prescribed physical therapy for my spine) had any explanation. The only explanation I have is the prednisone because I had taken the Z-pac (antibiotic) with no side effects several times in the past. Weird!

Incidentally, I am off the prednisone for about 5 weeks, am still hungry all the time, still fat, still bloated. Unfortunately the extra energy is gone. Best of luck to everyone on this strange drug. My heart sincerely goes out to all of you on long term therapy. God bless.

I am recently out of the hosp after 9 days with COPD exas, pneumonia, flu. I have been on heavy antibiotics, steroids--home now for 1st time with oxygen---I feel GREAT.First time in years I feel like I have a life to live. Like a veil has been lifted. I'm scared for this feeling to go away--what is it? the steroids?? the oxygen?? Whatever it is I need to know so I can fight for it and stop just waiting to die.

I have been on Advair for 3 years and it was a God send. Finally a drug that practically cured my adult asthma. Recently though, I have been very dizzy, nauseated and my heart rate is WAY up (over 100 bpm)--usually after I eat. I have not been able to sleep due to my heart racing all night long. Since you can't get off Advair cold turkey--I'm going to the doc tomorrow. I'm so sad :(

I, too, have suffered side effects from Prednisone. Being severly asthmatic, have been on "bursts"...which consists of taking beginning dosage of 60 milligrams a day for three days, then tapering off.

Have also had massive doses of this blankety blank drug while hospitalized for asthma.

Before the onset of adult asthma, I weighed 105 lbs. Now I weigh 200 and have that "pregnant" look. I have warned all I know not to pay attention to me while I am on the drug...I become argumentative and overly assertive and thank god, I have not become physically agressive.

My feet and ankles swell to twice their normal size as does my fingers, face, etc.

Appetite is completely out of control...eat, but never fell full while under its' influence.

During taper-off times, I have absoulutely no energy for days...even walking to the bathroom is a chore...weak and exhausted.

I now use an steroid inhaler. Supposedly, this does not enter your system, but I question that....how can it not enter your tissues and your bloodstream, if it is entering your lungs? And the same side effects are there, though not as severe, and not as easily apparent. I have gained another 10 lbs, and find I am depressed because of more weight gain and breathing is more difficult because of the extra weight.

I suppose I should be thankful it has saved my life, but the quality of my life due to this drug has been severly affected.

Can you tell I hate the stuff?

We can send a man to the moon, but science can't or won't (for whatever reason) find an effective alternative drug...sigh...

I have been using Advair 100/50 for about 2 months. I was diagnosed with adult asthma over a year ago. Was on Flovent/Albuterol combo. I have been reading all the comments of Advair side effects. Personally, I don't think it's working for me - I seem much worse! I have some of the side effects already mentioned such as: increased anxiety (I'm already taking Clonazepam - over a year); trouble sleeping; can't concentrate; headaches (more than usual); moodiness; bad eczema on my hands; difficulty breathing at times' hardly any appetite and other minor things. I told my doctor (saw him last month) about what I have been reading and he said "don't believe all that you read on the internet". I like to be informed, although the doctors don't tell you everything and I do believe most of what I've been reading here.

I am a female, age 60, in good health, but have had adult asthma. I was put on Advair 500/50 when it first came out by physician in a different area than where I live now.

My symptoms which were very bad, because much better, however, I have had horrible side effects, and am not tapering off of the drug.

In 2 years and 5 months, I have had three leg injuries that have seriously torn my skin (it has become very thing, and fragile, and was never like that before). The medical care, due to poor healing has been over 10 months total.

My voice gets very hoarse, have gained abdominal weight, had rapid heartbeat, the purple bruises, and I rarely have a good night's sleep.

I took all the information to my current physician, and he said "let's get off of this"..........so I am going on 250/50 for a month, and then the lowest does for another month. I will say my rapid pulse was down to 80 from 110 in just two days.

Glad to have found this forum.

I am 62 with adult asthma, GERD and high blood pressure -was under great control with my meds, changed doctors and on first visit he puthad me start taking Advair 100/50 July 2003. I went from mild manner grandmother to an agressive one in less than two weeks; headaches; progressed to being tired all the time, took nap in the morning and afternoon; reflux all the time standing, sitting or laying down; bad taste in mouth; dizzy and small black outs; excessive sinus drainage/congestion; irrated throat; coughing. On 10-22-2003 went back to pulmonery dr for check up, at that time my blood pressure was up had gained 5 pounds and was told my symptoms were not caused by Advair and that he would see me again in 3 months. I stoped Advair on 11-3--2003 and went back to my original meds. I had an appointment with my gastroentrolst 11-5-2003 for the constant reflux, being as I had just had a flex-sig exam 9 months previous he was not concerned just to watch what i was eating and know he did not think it was from the Advair because the Advair should be out of my system after 24 hours. I changed pulmonary doctors and saw my new one on 11-17-2003. He left me on my original meds and said some people do not tolerate the Advair but my asthma, and blood pressure was under control, the reflux, sore throat i still had. Since this time i have had a bladder infection 12-2-2003 (last one i had had was 40 yrs ago) and am now fighting the loss of my voice(since 1-15-2004) I am on a round of an 1000-mg of amoxicillin for infection of the larynx. But was also told by the ENT dr that this would not be caused by Advair.
I was feeling great until I took Advair and now I have no energy, I am drowning in my reflux and fighting infections from who knows where. Thanks for your website it helps me to know that i'm not alone.