Advair symptoms and conditions

I had a case of acute bronchitis and doctor prescribed Azithromycin (antibiotic) and something new, Advair. I took both medications, and, I have had several prescriptions for that antibiotics over the years, never a problem. But, on the morning of day 2, woke up, 30 minutes later and my legs and arms covered in hives. I never ever had an allergic reaction in my life, so I immediately expected it was the Advair. Went back to the doctor, who then took me off the advair. At that point, he gave me Xyzal, for 5 days, which helped subdue any more hives. After the Xyzal ended, guess what--the hives have returned, but in their former glory, but they returned nevertheless---is it possible that there is some residency period in the body for the Advair agent? I took it only for one day, but this is frightening.

I am a 45 year old black female who was placed on Avdair in September of 2009. In the beginning before Advair, I had never had any respiratory problems. It began with wheezing only at night lying down and slight chest congestion. My doctor diagnosed me with acute bronchitis and placed me on antibiotic Zithromax which did not completely clear me up, so he prescribed Bactrim for 10days which did. I thought I was home free until maybe 3-5 days after completion of the antibiotics, I started wheezing again one night and the next morning I was severely short of breath. I was able to get through that morninig long enough to get to my doctor, who prescribed Advair 50/100 twice daily. I was very skeptical about taking it, but when you think this breath will be your last, then you do what you have to do. I've been on Advair now for 6 months and It has been the miracle drug for me so far. I tried to wean myself off 3weeks afterwards, but have been unsuccessful. My throat starts to close after missing 2 doses and the asthma symptoms return. The only side effects I have had is a froggy throat,decreased smell and taste sensation, sneezing upon awakening and a little weight gain which may or may not be related since I am so preoccupied with breathing that I am not watching my diet or exercising regularly. I was very depressed about having to be on Advair since this is so life altering for me. I asked my doctor what caused all of this and he said it is allery related, he did not give me an asthma diagnosis. I just know that this works for me and I have come to the conclusion that I will be on it for the rest of my life. I am still in disbelief that this suddenly happened to me, but life throws you lemons sometimes. Im happy that Advair is my lemonade!

Same problems for me! I was 49 when I was put on Advair 100/50 in the spring of 2008. While on it I started having massive leg cramps in the middle of the night. I also gained about 20 pounds within the next few months. The worst symptom, and I am sure that it was the Advair that did this...was about six months later, right around Dec. 2008, I noticed that my left leg, below and to the left of my knee, had started losing muscle mass. Also, my leg not only had the cramps, but it ached, and ached and ached! It began to be debilitating! I went to the doctor for this several times, and he kept thinking I had done something to my leg like pulling the muscle, etc. I know I would have noticed doing something like that! The only thing I could come up with was my terrible leg cramping. Well, I have had two EMGs, two nerve conduction studies, and two MRIs done since then...and no cause can be found. The docs all say that if it were a medicine, that I would notice it in my other leg or other muscles as well. No, I have not, but it is my opinion that whatever caused this found that area of my left leg to be a weak area...and it sort of zeroed in on it, so to speak. So, I did a little bit of thinking and realized it had to be the the Advair. There was no other change in my life during all this time. So, I weaned myself off the Advair. Apparently not slow enough though...I had an episode at work one day about two weeks into trying to wean myself off. I had a light-headed feeling, nausea, headache, and cold, clammy skin. I nearly passed out. I also noticed a discoloration of my left palm...it looked like I had dipped it into a rust colored water. I had to have a friend drive me home from work. Once home I decided to take a dose of the Advair. (I had been taking one dose every other day, but had decided to do two days, and I think it was too soon.) Well, by 1:30 I felt almost 100% better. I eventually did wean myself off, and am using just my rescue inhaler for my asthma. Has anyone else noticed muscle loss?

First, remeber to always report adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Second, after being on Advair for nearly a year and a half, I discovered only today that Advair contains Milk protiens in the form of Lactose. A point both my doctor and pharmacist missed - neither new advair containd milk. I removed all dairy from my diet last winter because it seemed to make my asthma worse, and we had not been able to figure out why I kept having trouble. Well, I think we found the answer. I also had experienced a rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Yesterday my blood pressure was 138/108 and after discontinuing the Advair my pressure is down considerably to 128/86.
I strongly recommend reading the lengthy paper insert included with the Advair, and most medications, usually labled perscribing information. It is in this insert I discovered Advair contained milk and should not be given to anyone with a milk allergy - a point both my doctor and pharmacist missed - neither new advair containd milk. Also listed in the perscribing information is a list of possible side effects, and increased blood pressure, fast / irreglular heartbeat, chest pain, headache, tremor, nervousness, lower bone mineral density, eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts, weakened immune system and a higher chance of infections. And this is ALL in the perscribing information insert - just remember to have your magnifying glass ready!

I just started taking Lo estrin 24 Fe 2 weeks ago. The first week I had my period, on time, but lasted 7 days which is unusually long for me (normal 4-5days). Then 3 days later I started another full blown period which is like I've seen other posts saying its red and brown in color. Recently I have noticed that I've gained about 5lbs in water weight, increased appitite, headaches, and extreme moodyness. I am also on Advair and have a lot of moody (angry) side effects with that but now I get mood swings, everything irritates me, I cry a lot, I feel like I take everything too personal since, and I also have a lower sex drive. The only plus is that my breasts are slightly bigger, a little sore, but bigger! lol
I have never been on BC before but an recently divorced and in a new relationship, but I think I'm going to stop taking it for now. He will just have to wear condoms for a bit! I can't stand the crying let a lone the two week long period! This stuff sucks.

I have been on Advair 500/50 for the last 7 yrs now & I know what your thinking, I must have emphasema SP? or something but no. I was put on this level by a Dr who, I now think, just picked it up in one of her sample rooms not reading the dosage and gave it to me for adult onset asthma. I had what I thought was an asthma attack twice and she put me on it. Years later I saw a pulminologist because I had bronchidis that turned into phnumonia. He looked shocked that I was on such a high dose and he tried to take me off of it, but had no success. I go into such withdrawls that that I feel like I'm going crazy. First I get very tired, then I get a rash on my face around my nose, mouth and chin, then on my left side, I also can't breath, and act like a heroin addict itching for a fix. I have never been on something so horrible and now I feel like I'm stuck on it without escape.
Since I have been on Advair I have had major hair loss, dizzyness, memory loss, anxiety and etreme angry mood swings, leg cramps, very poor circulation, I bruise Very easy, and something that I haven't seen posted...weight Loss. I havn't read any posts that say anything about reproduction but I havn't used birth control in my life and lets just say my husband and I weren't exactly preventative in any way, but I haven't gotten pregnant in 6 years??? I wouldn't doubt it if this was why.
I really think there should be a law suit against this. I also think that my dr should be under review or something for prescribing me a dosage that was way too strong for my condition. Every Dr since has looked at me and asked why are you on such a high dose, who put you on that, and never says but I know they think who messed up and put her on that dose...it's gonna kill her!

I have been on Advair for about 3 1/2 years, 2 to 3 months ago I noticed that I was getting hoarse, I continued to have more hoarsness until I couldn't speak a word above a whisper and thats where I am now. I have been taken off Advair and put on Spivera in hopes that my voice will come back, its only been 2 weeks and so far not a word above a whisper. I can only hope this condition will pass, my suggestion to anyone out there that has never taken Advair ..........don't, its a very bad drug, there are other safer ways to keep breathing.

Jan 1, 2010

I have been dealing with allergy-induced asthma for twenty years. I can go for months at a time without any problems and be hit with severe respiratory problems within minutes if I'm in the wrong environment (mold, pollen, etc.). I started using Advair four years ago--and would only use it when I knew allergy season was about to hit in the spring and fall. I didn't notice any problematic side effects. However, this summer, with the H1N1 scare, I decided to to be proactive and started taking my Advair twice daily. I've been doing so for the past six months and I have gained 10 lbs. I workout 6 to 7 days per week--1 to 1.5 hours cardio plus weight training. My eating habits have not changed. I've had the H1N1 vaccination and will be going off the Advair to see if my weight goes back down.

I was diagnosed with a bronchial infection 1 week ago today. I was prescribed Clarithromycin (500 MG tablets) and Advair. About 3 days into treatment, I started having a bad taste in my mouth. In the last 4 days, the taste seems to be getting worse. I've also been feeling jittery, my heart feels like it's racing and I keep a dull headache. On the 3rd day of taking this combo, I ran a fever between 101.3 and 102.3. I thought I had the flu, but the fever broke with some Tylenol and never came back. I was told I did not have the flu, although my husband and son both got it 2 and 3 days later. After a week of taking medications for an infection, I would think I'd be feeling better, but I'm not. I have 2 more days left of the Clarithromycin, but I'm not sure I want to continue. I think I'll probably cut out the Advair first and see what effect that has on me.

Anyone with hair loss since they started Symbicort?

Although I have asthma, I was in my physician's office for another purpose when the doctor noticed my cough. After listening to my breathing, she offered me samples of Advair Discus 100/50. "This will take care of that cough," she said.

Sure enough, the cough I'd had for 2 weeks disappeared completely after only the second dose. I thought I'd hit the medicinal jackpot!

Then came Advair day 3. I noticed that my heart rate was elevated constantly, even when I was lying down, and my blood pressure was higher than normal. I figured I was coming down with a cold.

On day 4, I awoke to the experience of having all of the muscles in my body feeling stiff 24/7. This is no exaggeration. And of all things, my lats (the muscles running down your sides starting at the armpit) were completely tensed at all times. It was one of the most unnatural and uncomfortable feelings I've ever had.

By day 5, my entire body was completely rigid. I had to chew gum all day just to release excess tension. I was growing more and more agitated by the minute. I wanted to take care of things that needed to be done (dishes, laundry, etc.) but found myself only able to read or watch TV.

On day 6, the fear began to set in. I was terribly anxious about something, but I had no idea what. Since my brain couldn't figure out why my body was literally in flight-or-flight mode 24 hours a day, it began parceling out all the angst to all of the small aspects of my life. I became unable to do anything because I was afraid of everything.

On day 7, my cough returned, and my mind went crazy. Fearing the worst, I told my husband that I was going completely out of my mind, but I had no idea why. We are 35, and have known each other since we were 14, and I have never seen such a look on his face. I told him we were going to have to get some kind of mental help immediately because I was ceasing to function at all.

On day 8, I'm still coughing, and still going out of my mind. I have to get on the computer to look up psychologists on my insurance company's website. I start the search, but then, a thought occurs to me. I opened a new tab and googled Advair and Anxiety. And there was the answer. I called my husband at work, and told him I was going off the Advair and why. He seemed skeptical, but thought I should definitely give the Advair a trial discontinuation.

Day 9, I wake up 24 hours after my last dose, and my cough is gone. I feel more relaxed than I have in days. Perhaps I am not going crazy after all.

It took about 4 days to go completely back to normal. According to my physician, the reaction I had was to the Salmeterol. I therefore should avoid any products containing any long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist: Formoterol, Bambuterol, and sustained-release oral Salbutamol. I'm just glad I didn't end up institutionalized.

I've been on Advair for 12 years.I'm 27 years old and fed up with all this medications that doctors prescribe.We are so brainwashed into thinking that we misbehave if we don't see a doctor.Let me tell you what: The majority of the doctors, only know to prescribe medication.They get bonuses from the pharma industries every time they prescribe their "new discovered"medicine.
Advair is supposed to be preventive, what you don't know it's for how long.Exactly!!!.....'cause it's not meant to cure Asthma, it's meant to keep you hooked for the rest of your life.
My worse symptom is a very fast heart beating.I'm a martial artist and every time i exert a fast burst of energy(while i'm sparring for example), my heart goes into pumped up mode.It beats very, very fast and i have to stop because it hurts.Sometimes i keep going no matter what and feel like i'm exercising for two people.When i stop, i breath very deeply for 5 minutes and all of a sudden it stops and beats regularly.
It's not fun, and one more thing: I'm from Argentina and my mom sends me the medicine from there cause it's way cheaper, sometimes i run out(i procrastinate sometimes), i'm left off with no medicine for a few days and boy.....I'm a wreck.The time you stop you go right back to where you started.I've been researching about an alternative to this "S***".I'm afraid 'cause i don't want to feel discomfort with my lungs anymore, but i strongly believe that there should be a natural alternative to all this laboratory drugs and i'm on a mission to find it.

dizziness,nose bleed, double vision, blurred vision

I have been on Advair 100/50 for 3 years. I have dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, and night tremors. But all of this I can deal with since I can breath much better on the medication compared to off. I have COPD. I have not had any hair loss but did start gaining weight almost immediately after starting Advair. If I miss a dose, I know it within an hour or so. I wish it wasn't so expensive.

I just turned 34 and I am a woman. I have struggled with mild asthma from early teens. I was always able to control my mild asthma with a rescue inhaler as my asthma was triggered primarily by cats/some dogs. However eventually that faded away and I was in control as long as I wasn't around cats. At age 31, I had my daughter (she is now 2 1/2), I rarely had asthma symptoms during my pregnancy and before. However about 1 week after my c-section I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe. They thought maybe I was having a pulmonary embolism from the previous c-section surgery. Fortunately I wasn't, but unfortunately for whatever reason, my asthma had been triggered (even if I wasn't around animals). My doctor put me on a Advair, another rescue inhaler, and ZPac. It helped right away.

I noticed a big difference in my ability to breathe. However 2 1/2 years later, I'm still on it. 250/50 once a day. I've tried going off of it several times but I'm unable to breathe. I don't want to be on a steroid long term, but I also have to be able to breathe after about 2 days being off of it. It's like gasping for every breathe. Not fun at all. The side effects I've had are hives to anything cold, itchy skin, stiffer feeling joints, occasional mouth sores, lots of phlegm (coughing up phlegm especially in the morning). I've never suffered from leg cramps or depression from Advair, in fact prior to having a child I was on Lexapro for anxiety and after being put on Advair my depression/anxiety has gone away. In fact, I've lost weight (30 Lbs) and am now down to the same size I was in college! I've asked two different doctors my OBGYN and Family Doctor if it's safe as we are planning for another child. They say yes. My OBGYN has said if I can't breathe I'm not going to be able to carry full-term. Which I guess makes sense. My Family Doctor said you can use Advair only as needed as it is not a bad drug to go off and on again (unlike antidepressants where you should never just stop them cold turkey). He said (he also suffers from asthma) that asthma can be triggered by stress (and my life has been extremely stressful over the last year).

Is there anyone who has had similar side-effects? Do you believe the benefit of Advair outweighs the negatives? I'm wondering if there is a better non-steroid drug that I can take that is SAFER for pregnancy and for my future. Open to suggestions...

I was on Advair for 3-4 years...initially it was OK. Then I developed tight, tight muscles...I couldn't relax no matter how hard I tried. One day I simply went off the Advair and it was like my muscles all turned to marshmallows...such a relief to actually relax and not feel tight all over. My sleep has gotten much, much better, too.

I also had a seizure from advair .In July of 2004 I was on my lunch break . I came home and decided I needed to take the Advair . Which I usually took twice a day . I took a puff and then I immediately felt dizzy fell over the counter and started shaking . I could hear my mother trying to yell my name in my right ear but i was unable to respond . It was the scariest moment of my life . She immediately called the doctor and I never took it again .

On Advair after bout with asthma. Stayed on it for about 4 months (500 then the 250/50) I felt worse! Throat tightened, thrush (which i had in mouth, throat and esophagus and up into my sinuses)- raspy vocal cords, dry mouth and weight gain. Dr. pulled me off- i will NEVER use again!

Thank you to everyone who has posted on here. This is my second day of quitting Advair. Got sick and tired of becoming a 57 yr old with the body of a 90 yr old. I am fighting back. Only going to use my emergency inhaler if needed. Advair is ruining my life. I have been on it since 04/11/06 and have never been the same since the beginning. I am saying "NO" to Advair.

I am a 36 year old woman, and I have taken Singulair for the past 8 months. I got a lung infection over the winter, and the clinic I went to put me on the 10mg Singulair. It helped my lungs and got me over the worst of the infection, but I never anticipated the side-effects. For several months, I attributed what I was feeling to hormones (like severe PMS) and the stress in my life. I started to have thoughts of death, especially at night. I also began to have a hard time leaving my house. I would have panic attacks, worrying that the window was left open, the stove was left on, and god forbid there was a dark cloud in the sky (I became convinced that a terrible storm would come). Several times, I nearly got in a car accident racing to get home after work. Then, I started to obsess over getting sick. I was convinced that I would get some terrible disease and die soon. The fears and anxiety got worse and worse until one day (a rainy day), I quit my job of twelve years. It was a good job. I was happy with my work, and I made more than enough money. I ended up moving across the country back in with my estranged husband, because here I would not have to work. I could stay home all the time, away from germs and storms and anything else bad. That was three months ago. Still on the Singulair, I began to obsess over death. The panic attacks were so severe that they triggered asthma attacks, and not being able to breathe triggered more anxiety. I stopped sleeping at night. In three months, I've slept four nights. I began to have nightmares that made me wake up screaming and violently lashing out. I had to urinate 5 or 6 times every night. I developed severe stomach pain and nausea. And I had leg pain (actually, I hurt everywhere, severe pain). I had headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Slowly, I began to realize that it might be the medicine. I started to research, and yesterday, I took my last pill. Since then, I have not had one panic attack. I have not had one asthma attack. I slept last night with no bad dreams. I know what's happened now, and I'm so sad that I lost so much of my life because of this drug. I really had a good life...friends, a home, a great job... Now, I'm very tired. My body is very weak and still hurting. I'm shaky. But I believe in time, those effects, too, will go away. I feel like my body has been through a war. I'm grateful that I didn't kill myself. There were a couple of really bad days when the urge to be violent towards myself was overwhelming. One day, I punched a fence, making my knuckles bleed. I think I could've killed myself, and I know it was Singulair. It's going to be better now. Just as a note: what helped me withdraw without any major worsening of asthma was Advair 250/50 twice a day.

I've been on Advair 500/50 for about five years now. Nothing seemed to control my adult onset asthma before then. Singulair worked great but caused shin pain. I seem to tolerate the Advair well in most regards. About 3-4 years ago, I started having a productive cough. It is not all day long, but usually upon first rising and occasional bouts during the evening. I am also hoarse, but it could be due to other meds. I have had pulmonary workup which was great. I have recent cardiac workup, also great. Breathing is fine, better than ever. It is this cough that makes me sound worse than tv's Felix Unger. I am beginning to think it is caused by the Advair, as no other diagnosis is forthcoming.

I have been on Advair for about 8 months. The only side effect I am trying to confirm is form the Advair is an odd smell in my nasal cavity and my taste is off. At first I thought old favorites had changed their ingredients - tasted a bit like chicken broth. I tried a nasal wash and it smelled, too. When I eat hot items that make my nose run, the smell melts into my mouth and ruins the flavor. Is there a way to confirm this is an Advair issue? I brush my teeth and/or rinse after each use.

Wow, I'm so glad I found this site!
I was diagnosed with pleurisy 2 and a half weeks ago following a virus, a few weeks before, so naturally, as my asthma nurse has always told me, I've doubled up my Advair (or Seretide as it's called here in the UK!) for that entire time.
Previously I was taking one puff once a day in an evening which I never had any problems or side effects with, it just controlled my asthma really well. Now I'm taking 2 puffs twice a day (morning and night) and for a few days now I've been having terrible joint pains in my hands, feet, elbows and knees. Have been searching the internet for what it could be and think I might have found the answer! Hopefully if I decrease my meds back down the pain will improve!
Like a lot of people on here, though, I was NEVER told about any potential side effects to Seretide, just that it was a wonder drug.

I have been on and off advair for the past few years and yes, it does seem to take the wheezes away....it was prescribed to me as a result of what was diagnosed as a GERD symptom altho I didn't feel breathless, just wheezy. The wheeze did go away, but I have also suffered hair loss, which my GP brushes off as menopause which does not make me happy. So having read all the preceding posts I think I shall ease off the Advair and see how I am without it (GERD seems better controlled with diet changes), and switch to Flovent I think it is...the old inhaled steroid. I did ask for that and was given the prescription. I didn't find these asthma like symptoms bad enough to warrant a strong drug like Advair - I think it would be fantastic for severe asthma that needs it. Wonder if the other inhaled steroids affect hair too? Just praying it all comes back! Nothing worse than getting old AND losing your hair as a woman!!! I see some regrowth so fingers crossed.

I have had life-threatening spasmodic breathing episodes for the last year. My GP attributed it to asthma, because that's what it looked like, and they have given me prednisone shots and later on, antibiotic shots, to control it (for about 6 weeks at a time). I have well-controlled type II diabetes, so predisone can cause it to go out of control fairly quickly. Prednisone also caused some occasional pain in my feet, probably because of the elevated blood sugar. All the asthma drugs they gave me actually made me sicker, like Advair, etc. Lo and behold, I was able to talk my doctor into a referral to an allergist, and my allergy numbers are off the charts! All grasses, most trees, and many animals were high enough to cause anaphylaxis, especially when surrounded by more than one. Anaphylaxis can cause the labored breathing I suffered. Meanwhile, I have the lung capacity of an Olympic swimmer. I have an elderly friend who has gone to the hospital several times this year with the same problem. After I found out my results, I talked to his wife, and they discussed the allergy and infection aspect with the doctor. Turns out he had fairly severe allergies and infections that made his life-long asthma go way out of control. With a medicine for infection, he is 10 times better - the asthma is under control because it is not being jump-started by the low-level infections he suffered. I don't even have asthma, it just looks like asthma. I will begin years of allergy shots, just like in my 20's. (I am 55). The upshoot? Some people are suffering severe asthma symptoms. Others have a combo of problems which are exacerbating the asthma-like problems. Doctors who think you only have asthma tend to only treat asthma. Prednisone greatly reduces inflammation, which is a common factor in all the above diseases. So, calming the symptom doesn't mean treating the source. You long-term asthmatics should also look inot taking allergy tests if it is considered safe (they DO inject a small amount of allergens in your skin), and not spend 100% of your time with the pulmonary specialist who is only looking at your lungs. Also, you really need to do some cause and effect testing with antibiotics or similar to see if you have some type of infection. My friend and I are both on our way to better health because we went beyond treating the symptoms.