Better breathing symptoms and conditions

I was on Topamax for migraine a few years ago and had to go off of it because my insurance changed. I was crushed!! I was on a lowww dose- only 25mg. morning and night. It helped soooo much- and really- the only side effect was some weight loss and the tingly fingers and maybe weird taste in foods.Also- and maybe it's because I;m relieved of constant headaches- I have MORE energy and even better breathing, seemingly!! ( just now had a problem spelling 'taste'- and have read where that is a side effect but think for me it's just being 51 and a tad flaky with menopause. :) ) I'm back on it now- 25 mg. morning and night- and am very happy. The several times a week migraines ( the real thing) are gone- as are the constant floaters I get in front of my vision, and the things like vertigo and photo-phobia that I have constantly even when I'm not in a full-blown migraine. I just don't get the fatigue, headaches, etc. other people do- in fact, almost nothing by way of side effects. That is no doubt due to the low dose and also because everyone's system is different. I am lucky to have found the one med which nails my migraines! I've read all the posts and am definitely upping my water intake, however- thanks for that head's-up! It never hurts! I would say that anyone with intractable migraine should at least try it- although at a low dose. My doc is very cautious and started at the lowest possible end luckily for me.If you're one of the fortunate people who toleates this med it definitely works beautifully to prevent the majority of migraines in chronic sufferers! It IS expensive, though-even in it's generic form- and I really hope to keep affording it!!
Blessings- A.

Hello All..I hope my experience can be slightly helpful to anyone reading this..I am a married 31 year old woman with 2 children. I was suffering from a sinus infection for around a week, maybe a week and a half..Now first,let me tell you,I am not one for doctors..I go when I am pregnant and if I am really really sick, otherwise..I am an over the counter kind of girl heh but because I was experiencing bad symptoms ( burning smell in my nose, pressure etc) I decided to go in. I went in on Saturday (believe that was Sept 29th) and saw an associate of my "regular" doctor. He checked me and confirmed what I believed to be true, a serious sinus infection..Now because I am a selfpay patient, my doctors usually will try and helpme out with samples of meds they may have, which I always do appreciate..This time he gave me a free voucher for a 10 day supply of Avelox. Now mainly because I have never had a bad reaction to any antibiotic ( I normally take amoxicillan and erythromycin ) I didnt think anything of taking that voucher and getting on the road to better breathing. I filled the script that afternoon and began the first dose..Nothing specific happened right away, but later that night I started to get a real bad headache, I am prone to headaches here and there so again I thought nothing of it..Went to bed and woke up that sunday still with the headache but it was worse..During the afternoon decided to lay down, take a small nap, hoping I would wake up feeling better, but when I woke up (and mind you, I have taken the 2nd dose of avelox by this point) I felt HORRIBLE! I couldnt breathe, my chest was tight, I was lightheaded, dizzy,nervous/anxious..I felt like I was jumping out of my skin. Clearly the worst experience of my life. I managed to try and keep calm,did breathing exercises and waited until Monday morning to go see my doctor and of course was not about to take any more of this crazy med.. (This attack went on and off for around 14 hours). When I went in on monday, I was still feeling ill and having some of the symptoms but did feel better compared to the night before. My doctor confirmed I reacted very seriously to the medication and went on to tell me that she has had patients commit suicide after taking it >.

This morning ( Oct 5th 2007 at 5:10am) , I am feeling a bit better, the symptoms had lasted on and off all week..I had no appetite until yesterday, which I actually ate 3 good meals. I was bloated,anxious, nervous, lightheaded..I also had/have a bit of insomnia..just really really sick.. I am hoping I will continually feel better. But this was indeed a truly scary experience. My doctor informed on 2 remedies that are natural...for the bloating and gas pressure and discomfort,she told me to get acidophilus.which is "good/friendly" bacteria to replace the ones the antibiotic killed off. She toldme to take this for around 2 weeks. And for the insomnia and anxiety/nervousness she told me to get Valarien,again all natural to keep me calm,it is a natural mild sedative. I hope this will help someone out there because I had read through every post I could find this week to try and help myself and keep calm. Good luck to you all and please, warn others about the risks and dangers of ths horrible medication aka POISON :(

I got on this site just to see if all the side effects I am having since starting Advair is my imagination and now I hate to say, I see it is not. I was scared to death to start this steroid because I have taken steroid's off and on my whole life for my asthma. I have ended up with a depressed immune system and in the hospital every few months when on them and they have a lingering effect sometimes for up to a year or more.
My Respiratory specialist assured me, that being an inhaled steroid, Advair has a very very minimal systemic effect. Well obviously that is not true for everyone! I am having just about all of the side effects that a lot of the other of you are having. Even though, I rinse my mouth out carefully after each inhalation. I am on the 500/50 dose. I have been on it only 2 weeks. I can't quit eating! I crave something constantly and have already gained about 7 pounds this last two weeks. My face is breaking out and I have pain so bad in my hands, fingers, and legs. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis also and have a lot of pain, but this is different and much worse!
My eye sight seems to be getting worse, and I can't even see to read well with my glasses. I too am very disapointed because as far as my asthma, it is much better and I could see a difference from the very first inhalation. I am due for a dose right now, and I am not taking it. I am done. The side effects are not worth the better breathing.
I have headaches, swelling of the face, hands, fingers, and legs. I have pain in my chest and I feel generally achy all over. I have also been feeling extra moody. These are steroid effects!!

I got on this site just to see if all the side effects I am having since starting Advair is my imagination, I see it is not. I was scared to death to start this steroid because I have taken them off and on all my life for my asthma. I have ended up with a suppressed immune system and in the hospital every few months when on them and they have a lingering effect sometimes for up to a year or more. My Respiratory specialist assured me, that being an inhaled steroid, Advair has a very minimal systemic effect. Well obviously that is not true for everyone!
I am having a lot of the same side effects that some of you are having, even though, I rinse my mouth out carefully after each inhalation. I am on the 500/50 dose.
I have been on it only 2 weeks and
I can not quit eating! I crave something constantly and have already gained about 7 pounds this last two weeks. My face is breaking out and I have pain so bad in my hands, fingers, and legs. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis also and have a lot of pain, but this is different and more intense! My eye sight has gotten worse too, and it is a strain to see well enough to read even with my glasses on.
I too am very disappointed because I could breathe better from the very first inhalation. I am due for a dose right now, and I am not taking it. I am done. The side effects are not worth the better breathing. I have headaches, swelling of the face, hands, fingers, and legs. I have pain in my chest and terrible bloating in my abdomen. I feel generally achy all over. I have also been very moody. These are steroid effects!!