Respiratory specialist symptoms and conditions

I started taking Advair 250/50 when I couldn't get any air in the upper part of my lungs. I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, but hadn't experienced it since I was 11. I am 21 now, and I have panic attacks, pain in legs (pain in my thighs, and it feels like a rubber band wrapped around my knees) and arms, splitting headaches, hyper-sensitivity, mood swings, back pain, heart racing for no reason(especially at night, it wakes me up), insomnia, pain in my chest (mostly on the left side near my arm pit that feels like muscle tightness), I sometimes get sharp pain in my chest if I take a deep breath, I've gained 40 lbs. in the past 8 months, and I am a nervous, emotional wreck. A year and a half ago, I was a completely different person. I've been to the doctor, and they can't find anything wrong with me. Although I am overweight now, my cholesterol and blood pressure are perfect, there is nothing wrong with my lungs (barring asthma). I am in great health, and yet I feel awful. All the time. I have no idea what to do, because my doctor's have told me that the only known side effects of Advair is potential damage to the teeth. I am outraged, but I am afraid to stop taking it because my lungs actually hurt when I don't. I'm also on an Intal Inhaler, but I haven't heard any side effects of this. Here's the kicker, the doctor that prescribed me the Advair wasn't even a respiratory specialist, and refused to reccomend me to one! I'm so glad I found this site because everything everyone has listed seems to be what has gone wrong for me since I started taking it. If anyone has any information on how they're doing now that they've stopped taking it, or the "withdrawal" effects of Advair, please post them. I'm hoping to wean myself off. Good luck to all of you, and thank you. Now I can stop being so worried that I have blod clots, lung cancer, or an aneurism. ;)

Thanks so much,
Jade
NY,NY

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!!