Lung capacity symptoms and conditions

I lead music for a children's choir and noticed my voice getting weaker over the past year, to the point I could no longer sing. Then my speaking voice got raspy as well, almost like laryngitis. Went to the doctor, and he told me to get off Advair immediately, replacing it with a liquid inhaler. That started to improve my voice for about a week, then my voice almost left entirely. I had to get off all asthma meds at that point, but what to do when one grows accustomed to breathing?

I am a hiker. The doc knew that. He suggested I focus on more hills to increase my lung capacity. I did my homework I made the following drink when I'd get up in the morning: 1 glass full of ice and some water, about an inch from the top. 1 heaping teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa (caffeine helps asthma and i like chocolate) 1 handful of chopped dates and here is the important ingredient - 1 full dropper of mullein oil, found at health food stores. Mullein opens my airwaves in about 2 minutes. I drink this weird shake and have no problems with my breathing and am off all other asthma meds. Asthma varies in people, as does severity, body type, health history, etc.

I hope this may help someone who would like to stop the asthma drugs and still be able to breathe.

Headache, breathlessness, waking up gasping for air at night, fluid retention in abdomen and legs, increased heart rate and NO reduction in BP! Fever, coughing, achiness and flu-like symptoms! Decreased lung capacity.

I took Levaquin as a treatment for pneumonia. After 3 days on the drug, all my joints were stiff and I had difficulty breathing. I called my doctor and I was told to continue the medicine. After a week, the reaction continued to get worse, I could hardly move, my breathing got worse and I had to be put on oxygen. My hands were like clubs and I couldn't open anything. I sat in a chair all day. It took me a half hour to get out of the chair to go to the bathroom. My hands were so swollen that I could not flush the toilet with my hands. I had to use my elbow to flush it. I saw doctors thinking I had rheumatoid arthritis. I saw pulmonary specialist and my lung capacity was at 48%. They sent me for many blood tests, cat scans, and I even had an MRI to try to find the cause. Finally, my heart doctor found out that some people were having adverse reactions to Levaquin. She found out that it caused severe anemia, breathing problems, and joint pain. She dosed me iron and within a week I was finally beginning to see the swelling in my hands start to decrease. I was out of work for 3 months.

I have mixed feelings about Advair. Quick history-at 30 I was dx with Asthma, at 32-COPD. I went on Advair after the COPD dx. Primarily-it certainly helped my breathing-gloriously. I have since gone on and off Advair periodically. Before last year (Pneumonia)-I had not been on the Advair for more than four months. BUT the Pneumonia combined with the COPD reduced my lung capacity by 25%. I allowed my Dr. to prescribe it indefinitely. However within a year I had gained thirty pounds. I started reading more, and found out that the AMA recommends only a six month duration of Advair therapy. My asthma symptoms had worsened over the last three months of that therapy. My untrained hypothesis is that if you exceed the recommended six month treatment-you will suffer the above outlined side affects. I simply quit it. Granted, my asthma symptoms increased for about three weeks-so I kept my handy little inhaler nearby, and gave myself one month to see if the asthma symptoms would decrease. They did. The long term-I have now been off of the Advair for nine months, and I rarely use my inhaler (knock on wood). The long term benefits of the extended Advair use has been a decreased problem with SOB- yes upon exertion(that is one of the symptoms of COPD), it is still present, but I can usually ride that out with patience, and rest. In conclusion-I would not hesitate to go back on the Advair upon my next COPD exacerbation, but I will absolutely stay within the six month suggested period. And, this time I will eat a lot of lo cal foods. Smile. It is always nice when people with chronic illness can smile over their disease. This has been my experience over the last five years that I have been introduced to Advair. One more suggestion-see if you can get your doctor to try you on the 250/50 before jumping right on the 500. The 500 is noted to have the side affect of increased SOB, and Asthma attacks-more often than the 250. One more note-although your doctor might forget to mention this-Advair is a steroid- and, steroids are known to cause weight gain. What can be done to reduce this affect-I do not know-Prednisone will do it too,now a combination of the two-which I have, of course, utilized a half dozen times or so in the last five years of my dx- is almost a guaranteed weight gain. If you manage to find out how to avoid that particular side affect-please let me know, and suggesting a vigorous work out to a patient with COPD in a bit insensitive, but if you have any other plausible ideas-I am anxious to hear them.

I was a 2:42 marathoner. I used a synthetic varnish containing isocyanates, pentanedione, organic solvents, in one 7-hour session; the company-recommended respirator did not in fact prevent transmission: Severe chemically- induced asthma, plus neuropathy, plus, plus.

I've used Advair 500/50 for six years. There have been many diverse effects from the chemical exposure; I'd not questioned any being Advair side effects. But the raised blood pressure was not initial, and certainly not a priori. Diminished hearing, diminished eyesight, anxiety. Again, not to lump in, but these questions are new for me. But the point I'd like to bring before this group is this: In August I was diagnosed with ehlichiosis , and was prescribed 28 days on doxycycline. They recommend eliminating many possible antagonists to the doxycycline. My respiratory capacity had been continually diminishing. My ongoing physician said this was to be expected and recommended only the next more powerful steroid. Not a good solution. Before all this I was strong; repaired myself. In the absence of constructive answers, wondering if the Advair was weakening me, making me dependent, I quit the Advair as well on beginning the doxycycline. Today is eleven days post-doxycycline. Eight days ago there began with increasing severity, a terrible wracking deep cough producing dark yellow mucus. Painful. No fever. Grevious throat from the wracking, but I question whether this is a cold or infection. It's just in my lungs. Maybe it's as though I've thrown off an epithelial coating. These past two days the quantity of deep yellow mucus is not as ready, but the wracking and coughing is more severe. And my lung capacity, my respiratory capacity, is frighteningly diminished. Until these past two days I'd considered this an infection, especially post-doxy. But it doesn't feel like an infection. And I'm scared. Is this because I quit the Advair abruptly after long regular use? Have any of you had a similar experience. Can you discuss the effects of abruptly discontinuing Advair. Have you stayed off it. What's happened to your respiratory capacity. Have you any professional studies, trials or experience to recommend. Thanks.

I am in my second month of ADVAIR HFA 115/21 inhaler. Take two puffs twice a day. Great improvement in my lung capacity. I am 72 and enjoying senior aerobics twice a week, the treadmill, and senior tennis. Pulmonologist also wants me to take Xopenex, which I do about three times a week.

Tonight, I developed a vaginitis. The after-hours nurse and I think it's from these two steroids. I also wake up with leg cramps.

Any help to stop the cramping and the vaginitis.

For those with dry mouth, try Biotene products. They are marvelous. For sores in your mouth and on your tongue, get your doc to prescribe triamcinolone 0.1% paste. Fantastic.

I've been on Advair for years. I'm a healthy 32 y.o female, active, with severe asthma. Trying to get myself off of it and have been successful at taking the medication once every 3 days or so. I am working out more and need it less often - the more I build up lung capacity. Within the last year, I've noticed that I've been losing eyebrow hair. So much of it, in fact, that I went to the Derm. for a diagnosis. They think it's "alopecia" - and I say ... it's ADVAIR. Anyone else experiencing hair loss or eyebrow loss, who happens to be on an inhaled steroid? In my case, it's only ONE eyebrow - very annoying! Hair on head is fine. Can't help but link it to the drugs, since Alopecia seems just way too far removed.

My then 8 yr old daughter was prescribed ADVAIR when her doc diagnosed her with mild asthma. 2 puffs twice a day.She had developed a wheeze during a 5 day rainy spell in our area. I notice the change in her early on. A gifted student, she began to display symptoms of ADHD. Lack of concentration, unable to focus. She became emotional frequently. Gained wieght in a short period of time. Nosebleeds, some so severe she choked on the clots. My daughter chronicled her levels daily, gradually losing lung capacity..she began at 300 on her flow meter and within 6-8wks she was below 200. She began to complain of leg aches, loss breath during ordinary gym activiites, climbing stairs, walking at the mall.

I began to search online for forums such as this. I found that ADVAIR was intially to be used in chronic asthma..not like my daughter's mild case. Also, that ADVAIR was known to increase asthma symptoms in some cases,so severely that it was actually almost pulled of the shelves but "saved" when the FDA , instead, allowed for a black box to be printed on the label, stating a warning.
I also read that ADVAIR should not be prescribed to children under 12.

Many advair users made claims of exact symptoms my daughter was experiencing. Many said that when they went to their doctors with these claims, they were "blown off" or told " you can't prove it". Why would so many doctors take this stance?
After 80 pages of comments from users who were athletes, vegetarians, parents, nurses, etc stating their negative effects and prolonged symptoms even after getting off ADVAIR, I called my mother.

My mother is 63 and a more severe asthmatic. She had in the last 12 months been to the ER, 5 times. No oxygen, unable to breath, heart palputations, symptoms of heart attack, chronic bronchitis...twice having to stay for 2-3 days. When I told her I was going to wean my daughter off ADVAIR (NEVER QUIT ADVAIR COLD TURKEY. WEAN IT OFF) She told me that she had been on ADVAIR, for the past 16 months....

It has now been almost 2 yrs since my daughter and mother have been off ADVAIR. My daughter regained her lung capacity and actually improved it within 4 weeks of getting off. It took her about a year to lose the wt.Her concentration/focus returned to normal in about 6 months, but I had to meet with teachers to help her adjust. No wheezing, no joint pain, no severe nosebleeds. My daughter has only used her emergency inhaler 2 times last year, once during a field day in high humidity heat and once during flu season.
My mother has not been to the hospital since getting off ADVAIR. She did notify her doc about getting herself off and he just looked at her with eyebrows raised and said "what have you been reading?"...He did put her on SINGULAR bec she has to be on medication....I do not know of any side effects she has form that.

In my research, I did come across a few ADVAIR users who truly benefited from it. Also some who preferred the pros to the cons they experienced so they were content. I say, if you are lucky enough to have ADVAIR do what it's supposed to , good for you. BUT, if you are seeing an increase in severity of your symptoms please notify your doc, or get a new doctor if they won't listen. Asthma deaths related to ADVAIR have ocurred. The term "RARE" occurence of increase severity of symptoms or death is a misnomer. There are too many users citing this. Please be careful. Listen to your body and GOOD LUCK TO ALL.

WOW!! I can't tell you how glad I am to have found this site and learned about all the side effects from lisinopril. I've been on lisinopril since about January of this year...12.5 mg. Been back to see the doc 3X since i've been on it. I complained about chest pain and coughing. I've had EKG done on me 3X (including the one done recently when I checked my self in at the ER at 2:30am) also did the treadmill stress test. I've also been referred to and did see a pulmonary specialist where they checked my lung capacity/function due to the shortness of breath. I've been friggin joggin' 7 days a week for 3 months (used to do 3X/wk) to combat the fatigue, shortness of breath, tickly & scratchy throat causing me to cough to try to clear it, tingly arms and legs, chest pain (kinda like pressure or cramping, real discomfort)...and yes, i feel like my days are numbered. It's been such a life altering experience. I'm stopping lisinopril starting today. I hope the chest pain will get better. Will post again in a few days and let you all know how I feel. Thank you all again for taking the time to post your experiences. God bless!

I've been on Warfarin since Dec 2006. I'm a big guy, 6'2 265. They have me on 12 mg daily to keep my INR in check. Only recently did i get to the one month period between INR tests. I'm 36 years old, likely 40 lbs overweight, formerly very active- played ice hoceky, competitive swimming, baseball, etc. Anyway foot surgery in Nov 2006 caused me to be in a cast which led to extensive DVT's which led to an almost fatal very significant PE in my right lung. Lost 15 lbs on the hospital which I since gained back...think that was just portion control. anyway having a tough time realizing if the warfarin is actually giving me side-effects. Just walking for 45 minutes recently left my whole body sore. Sleep isn't what it used to be and my overall "focus" is not there. Also find my self forgetting things that I've always been quite sharp with. I'm scheduled to be off the coumadin in the coming months if my vascular surgeon says the DVT's are all healed. By the way, when I had the PE I never had real difficulty breathing. The doctors said I had very good lung capacity and that helped me. Anyway, just like some of the other posts I read- Can't wait to get back to being ME !

I am sure glad that I found this site. I am a 58 year old male, I have been using Advair 500/50 for about 3 years but; I did not know there were side effects with this drug. I have COPD with approximately 15% of lung capacity left. Before starting on the Advair twice a day, I could walk app. 100ft before I got so out of breath. now I am lucky to be able to walk 10 ft. and even then I must rest and catch my breath. I have gained an enormous amount of weight, and at first with a change to my diet I would lose a couple of pounds, but; that was also with my cardiac rehab. The cough is getting much worse and I cough so hard I feel like I am going to pass out. I am nauseated, have no real taste for food anymore. It is hard to swallow even water. I get a sore throat and a lot of mucous and it has become at times very hard for me to speak. I have to speak slowly trying to form my words so they can be understood. I also have a heart condition, and was having real bad palpatations. Why I didn't know, I was hospitalized and was put on Warfain and Solatol which does help. I never would have associated any of these side effects if I had not read them here in this site, thank you for alerting me. I am at a loss as what to do, I am going to contact a lawyer, but; I still do not know if I should stop taking the Advair.

I have been off Advair for 7 months now. After quitting, I first got my voice back -- it had been cracking and disappearing by the end of the day. Then the swelling in my ankles went down. I was able to stick to a diet, and now I realize I looked like I was pregnant, my stomach was so big. I've lost 15 pounds on a realistically low-carb, low-gluten diet, fairly easily. I'm running again, finally with no muscle pain, and more lung capacity than I had on Advair. I've had a cold virus twice, and didn't become asthmatic, even though EVERY single cold had in the past. I was up to 500/50 when I decided to quit, and my doctor had told me I would likely have to stay on that dosage forever. (I'd had to supplement with Albuterol when I tried to exercise, and frequently had nighttime wheezes.) She was wrong. Advair is BAD NEWS. If you decide to quit, taper off gradually, over a few weeks. I went through a bad spell of painful headaches in the week I tapered.

I have been on Advair 100/50 for over 2-1/2 years and it's the best thing I've ever taken. It increased my lung capacity 33.5% and I do not wake up at night with asthma attacks. I don't have to depend on my Albuterol for rescue all the time either. I took Azmacourt 4 times a day prior and constantly had shortness of breath and asthma issues. I've been very fortunate on Advair! I have not had insomnia, difficulty sleeping, no musle weakness, no heartburn, and no rashes. I have had slight weight gain, and managed to get it off. I have constant allergies and allergic rhinitis so I do get occasional headaches. I can actually take a deep breath and not cough my head off. I can actually run and workout now! I do get dry mouth but that's easy enough to deal overcome. I may be an exception but it's a blessing for me! I take Allegra too and it is the best thing I've taken too. Seldane is better but they took it off the market. So I guess it works for some! Thanks.