Servent symptoms and conditions

I've had asthma since I was a teenager, and about 9 years ago I went to an allergy and asthma specialist and had the whole gamet of tests run to find out why my allergies and asthma were worsening. I was prescribed Advair, Albuterol, Prednisone, & Servient. At the time, these were the only medications I was taking and never experienced any severe side effects. My asthma was much better and by my one year check up, I had almost completely stopped using the Albuterol for sudden attacks. Due to my graduation from college, I was no longer covered under my parents insurance and due to the cost of the medications, discontinued my treatments. I felt fine, hadn't had any attacks or breathing episodes, so I felt I could do this without any problems.

Fast forward to this summer. My asthma symptoms had returned and my PCP put me back on the Albuterol. It helped the sudden attacks, but I was blowing through an inhaler in a month. Last week I found myself in my local urgent care center, barely able to breathe, gasping for breath. I'm 31 years old with an almost one year old. They gave my 3 breathing treatments and prescribed Prednisone (only 5 days worth), Albuterol, and the Advair. After a week on the Advair, I feel so strange. I haven't had to use my fast acting inhaler since last week, but I feel like my heart is going to jump right out of my chest. I have a constant headache, a weird ache in my right arm, can't sleep even though I am exhausted, and my mind is constantly racing. It's like I can't slow down. After reading all these crazy side effects and comparing them with my own, I'm stopping the Advair. I have an apt. with my asthma specialist in 2 weeks and I will be sure that he doesn't put me back on this med. It's awful...can't imagine taking any drug with a side effect of death.

I have been on advair since 1999, I have gained over 50lbs since I started taking it. It wasn't until earlier this year did I say enough is enough, I can't do this anymore. I will have new insurance on 10/1 and will go to the doc then. I pray there is something else out there other than these inhailed steroids. Now I don't want to be without any meds because this has worked the best so far. I have been on azmacort, servent, q-var, flovent, predinisone, other steriod shots, singular and of course albuterol, slo-bid, proventil. My side effects have been yeast infection (mouth), migraines, rapid heart rate, bad dreams, dizziness and confusion, emotional spells, nausea and of course weight gain. I am glad I found this site. Thanks

After being on Servent for years with no side effects that I was aware of, the doctor changed me to Advair. He mentioned that I would need to gargle every time I used it as it could inflame my vocal chords. I have been on it for about 3 weeks and I just can't talk at work. I gargle every time, but it does not help. After reading these responses I am going to stop tonight and go back to my Servent. Keep the comments coming!

I have been using Azmacort (Corticosteriod) for the treatment of my Asthma for over 8 years with great success. With the new laws elimating the use of CFC propellents by the end of 2005, I decided to go to my Allergist to discuss possible alternatives. She immediately prescribed Advair telling me that it contained both a Corticosteriod and a long acting bronchodilator (Serevent).

I started using the 250/50 Advair diskus and within a week was experiencing all of the symptoms describe by other users:

Stomach Bloating
Anxiety
Constant throat clearing
Hoarseness
Sleeplessness/Night sweats
Chest tightness
Worsening Asthma

I immediately went back to my Allergist the very next week and told her of the problems I was having. After a complete check-up, including a breathing test, I was told everything appeared normal and that there was no explanation for the problems I was experiencing. She reluctantly told me that I could go back to using the Azmacort, which I did, and all of the symptoms eventually disappeared within a couple of weeks.

I have been researching Azmacort articles and found that KOS pharmaceutical has acquired a 10 yr agreement to produce Azmacort, along with testing of non CFC propellents.

From my personal assumption, it appears that the Servent additive of Advair may have been the cause of my problems.

Also I have been wondering whether the diskus (powder) was effective in reaching my lungs, or was it just hitting the back of my throat and being ingested into my stomach causing both the throat and stomach problems I experienced.

One thing for sure, I will NEVER use Advair again.

The user who said he had heart palpitaions and while trying to fall asleep, or after falling asleep, he had a sound and feeling that sounded and felt like a "PING" in his brain (it felt as though a nerve or vessel had exploded at its end). has described what i have been trying to tell doctors for the past three years. I was using Flovent and Servent at the time. At work I had what must have been an anxiety attack (which I've never had before) and after setting in my chair for nearly an hour (took some asprin and trying not to move because this just increased the heart rate) my palpitations soon were down. After ER visit (nothing found), that night and for several night, I had the same PING and palpitations. Got off Flovent and Servent. Recently had to try Advair--same thing. Can't take the stuff. You're the only other person who has described it so accurately. I haven't been able to find anyone else who has had that PING. Finally I can tell my doctors that I'm not crazy---IT HAPPENS. Thanks

I was put on an inhaler called Servent, I guess it is the British equivalent to Advair, contains salmeterol xinafoate.
I have been on it for only two weeks and I have noticed so many of the things you all have. I don't think I have had more than 4 hours sleep a night since I started taking it, and that has been disturbed. Emotionaly I am a wreck, up and down, no control over my feelings, I thought I was going insane. I also have a stinging tongue all the time, can't stop shaking and my voice, which used produce some nice dulcet tones even if I do say so myself, sounds awful now.
Having said all of this, I am so glad I am not alone, at that there is a possible reason for it all.
Did you all just stop yourself or talk to your doctor first?
Thank you all again.