Rundown symptoms and conditions

I'm very happy to have found this forum! I've had asthma for 25 years now. I was given Advair 250/50 when my Dr. noted that I'd been using my rescue inhaler way too much, about 5-7 times/day. That was 5 years ago. My asthma symptoms were immediately improved. I could take a deep breath for the first time in a year, and after a couple months was almost completely off the Albuterol. However... the last few years (especially the last year) have been not so good. My friend finally put 2 and 2 together after I was complaining (yet again) of feeling run down and having another throat infection (the fourth this year). She told me to check the info for the meds I'm currently on, which led me here. My symptoms are as follows: about 2-3 years ago, I experienced the hair loss and mood swings (severe) and anxiety. Then I started getting recurring tonsil infection, laryngitis, joint pain and constant "rundown" feeling. I've had full blown Pneumonia twice in the last three years. I never had any of this before I started taking Advair. I constantly have some sort of low-grade infection. I was considering removing my tonsils (which was why I was complaining to my friend). Now, I'm trying to figure out if I should try to just quit cold turkey or gradually. I know my asthma symptoms will return, but at this point-which is worse? The problem or the "solution".

Sept. 4, 2007 I am now 55 yrs old and have been on ADVAIR for 2 1/2 years. I recently stopped taking it because my insurance co-pay was maxed out for the year. It was going to cost me $235 for a disk and I didn't want to pay it. So it's been two weeks now. OMG, the differences I am noticing. My weight is dropping and I'm not doing anything different. I have gained about 20 pounds. Then when I started reading some of the side effects of ADVAIR on line I realized I had almost all of them. Fuzzy thinking, bloating (especiallly right after eating), disturbing dreams, hoarseness and the constant need to clear my throat, digestive problems and heartburn all the time, foot cramps, feel tired and rundown, heart palpitations out of the blue like just sitting at the computer or watching TV, weight gain.

So already no more bloating, dropped 5 pounds, sleeping without the bad dreams, more energy. I'm feeling better on a daily basis. I have an Albuterol inhaler that I have used, but just drinking enough water helps. I plan on seeing a Naturopathic doctor soon to try a natural way to deal with my asthma.

Update to my June 20th post.
I have mild asthma but got prescribed the evil Advair by my doc a couple of years back. Recently my asthma felt like it was the worst it's ever been. Like other people have mentioned I felt tired, rundown and anxious. If I didn't take the advair every few hours my chest became tight and I'd start the usual asthmatic downwards spiral of panic.
I stopped the advair 8 days ago, my chest was tight at first but is easing up. I've had the rescue inhaler at hand but have not had to use it yet. I bought 'Reversing Asthma' by Richard Firshein and a Microlife Peak Flow meter to monitor my progress. My peak flow dips a little at night and first thing in the morning but I'm still well above average. Interestingly the tighteness doesn't affect the peak flow that much, which is great ammunition for calming yourself down when it feels uncomfortable.
Like Spunky said below, it's hard to trust some Docs, and the pharmaceutical companies are going to be as crooked as oil and other big business. They're eager to treat the symptoms for a quick fix rather than find the underlying causes, And a good diet, vitamins supplements, a clean environment and an exercise program isn't going to keep them in the lifestyle they're accustomed to.

Hi,

You name it, I had it. Fatigue, Headaches, Racing heart, palpitations, chest pain, naseau, sleeplessness, melasma. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was in 2003 on Ovcon. My gyn then put me on Aviane, a generic brand with lower hormone levels. A year later I went to and endocronolic specialist, who decided to put me on Yasmine, not sure why, but like so many people, I did as I was told (blind trust). I just this month reached the climax of my symptoms and decided to see a doctor. Just as someone else posted, the first thing they said was ANXIETY. They said I have been on Yasmine to long to just now start feeling side effects. I gave a rundown of everything I was feeling and they sent me for blood work.

Results are I am enemic. I have an iron deficiency. This I knew from my younger years. What I am curious about, is whether or not Yasmine has an effect on the level of iron in your blood. Can it worsen your enemia?

My doctor put me on Zocor this spring becuase my colestrol level was a little high. After about 3 weeks of taking it I started getting pain in my left arm and then it started in my right arm and legs within 2 days. I called my doctor and told him about it. He said to stop taking the Zocor for a week and if the pain went a way to try 1/2 a pill. Well the pain still hasn't gone away and it is almost Thanksgiving already. I have been very rundown and weak but am managing to get things done so far. I hope this helps others in some way.