Advair HFA and health

I have used Advair 250 for a few years now and have noticed a few of the same symptoms as the other posters, but my main concern is whenever I go off the drug for too long my asthma gets drastically worse. I have become extremely dependent on this expensive drug that I can barely afford and I fear it is just weakening my health while only mildly suppressing my asthma. I feel stuck with this drug now. I feel like a slave to it. It's an awful feeling.

69 year old beautiful grandmother, Yes, I stopped taking ADVAIR... After taking advair for two years, I just put a stop to the weight gain, emotion mood swings, headaches, poor circulation in my legs and arms companied by pain. Now my Doctor has me going through test to re- evaluate my condition... I am keeping it real and listening to my body as I questioning my Doctor..
Lady D

I am a 61 yr. old female former smoker diagnosed with COPD/emphysema. I was put on ADVAIR 500, along with using a nebulizer with albuterol and bromide to "inhale" several times a day.I also was on oxygen. I quit smoking and worked at getting my health back and to the surprise of the doctors went back to playing tennis several times a week.After reading about the side effects of the high dose Advair I had my Dr. reduce the amount to 250. It has been almost a year now that I have been on Advair. I have noticed some of the side effects mentioned here. The leg cramps, and leg spasms have been horrid. I also have had blurry vision. And lately I seem to not be able to sleep even if I am tired.I am going to see if my Dr. will let me drop to the 100 Advair level. Lately I have been intentionally skipping Advair doses to see if I notice any difference in my breathing. I almost forgot- since going on the meds listed above I have had kidney stones, an emergency appendix surgery and now high bilirubin count. I cannot find any info on those problems if result of medication ADVAIR. Even though I smoked for a number of yrs. I was very active and not over weight. The Dr. thinks thats why I am back to playing tennis. Has anyone else had a gastro problems ??Thanks A.

Hi all. Thank you for the posts-- this helps put my own symptoms in perspective. I'm a 28-yr old female and have had severe asthma since I was a toddler--which resulted in a childhood full of long hospital stays and all kinds of toxic drugs which aren't even prescribed anymore. I've been taking advair for about 3 months and have noticed that my mood has been off. I'm normally a peaceful person, not easily rocked, practicioner of yoga, etc. But for the last 3 months I've had sleeping problems (very severe in the 1st month-- to the point that I couldn't sleep at all) and have been experiencing anxiety, with heightened awareness of my breathing patterns and the occasional racing heartbeat. I've *never* had anxiety before. I went in for an EKG and they found that my heart is normal. Since I'm not a worrier or a person who is prone to anxiety, this was very disturbing for me-- I couldn't understand what the underlying cause was. This has had negative effects on my work life and my personal relationships--I'm just not as energetic as I used to be. I'm going to go off the drug and will report back to this website if I notice an improvement in my anxiety levels and sleep patterns. If so, then the cause will be obvious.

I wanted to make one more post just to raise awareness about another asthma drug I've tried. I took singulair in the past (about 5-6 years ago). At first it was a wonder drug-- totally clearing up all symptoms allergy and asthma related. But it did a number on my digestive track for the first 3-6 months of use-- I could not digest anything (and I eat very healthily--lots of fresh fruits and veggies everyday and little meat). I eventually went off that drug and tried it again this past year after a bad bout of the flu and some consequent sinus infections. I only took it 3 times and each night I had a horribly violent nightmare. Normally, I'm what you might call a happy dreamer-- maybe an average of 1 nightmare per year, if even. I stopped taking singulair on the 3rd night, and on the 4th night my dreams went back to normal. This was truly a disturbing experience, and I feel sure that singulair was responsible-- all the dreams were of a paranoid nature. I haven't had a dream like that since, and it's been more than a year since I stopped taking that. Asthma medication seems to have the potential for psychological side effects that everyone should be aware of. It is only fair that doctors warn their patients so that they know what any possible changes in their moods might be from. I really wish my doctor would have mentioned something to me. I'm sure I would have tried both drugs anyway, since I also know that people react different to different medications. But I certainly wouldn't have stayed with Advair as long as I have, knowing what I know now.

I wish all of you health, peace and happiness. I hope you are able to get well and live normal lives.

I'm a 37 year old male and I've had asthma since I was a small child. I did the albuterol inhaler for many years but they took that off the market because of environmental reasons, so I had to switch to something. I wound up with the Advair 100/50. I noticed fairly early on that when I went to take the second prescribed puff at the end of the day, I didn't really feel I needed it. So, the combination of me being strongly skeptical of drugs and Advair being expensive led me to skip taking the second puff. The next morning, when I went to take my FIRST puff of the day, I noticed I didn't feel I needed that puff either, so I didn't take that puff. Long story short, I take ONE puff of this Advair every 3 to 5 days. It's been working well for me for about 3 or 4 years. I also take many healthy supplements like Omega Fatty acids, multivitamins, Vitamin C, minerals, etc.
So my message here is: Try taking LESS Advair... As little as possible. If your doctor figures it out, tell him/her whatever you feel like. Lie if you want. NOTHING (repeat) NOTHING is more important than your health and unfortunately the ONLY person who REALLY cares about YOUR health is you. You have to protect yourself. Don't let your doctor's ego win out over your health. You don't owe your doctor any anything except payment for your office visit.

I had been taking Advair 500/50 for several years, however, most of that time I only took it once a day (not the recommended 2X). My diagnosis is near fatal asthma/COPD. About a year and a half ago I began taking Spiriva in addition. I am stable, but with a low pulmonary function for the past year (peak flow remains around 200). I see an acupuncturist/herbalist and an currently trying Wei Labs products: Soup A and LC Balancer, that are supposed to reverse lung damage. I recently visited a new, conventional, pulmonary specialist who wanted me to retry Advair at its recommended dosage, which I did. I noticed a nagging headache (at my forehead), a tendency to be agitated very easily, and a diminished peak flow. His response was to continue and add another medication (Singulair, which I have tried years ago with no good result). I stopped the Advair (though I am continuing on the Spiriva, until I see more results from the herbs). Also, I am a thin person who exercises all the time, and I had noticed that my weight was about 10 lbs more than I would like it to be (this had been the case for a couple of years). I have yet to see if that will drop, I have only been off for a couple of days. Additionally, I have had the experience with conventional steroid sinus meds over the years; the meds would stop working after a month or two and I would end up with worse congestion. I ultimately had a surgery to clear polyps and extra tissue, and have been breathing well through my nose since 2004 without meds. I feel I need to get off the conventional meds for the asthma too, on them I appear to be in a slow decline.

I am a 44 yr. old female. I have been taking Advair for about a month. I have to say that it is wonderful that I can finally breathe but the leg cramps and constant heartburn that I have never experienced before is unreal. The weight gain is becoming an embarrassment as everyone I come in contact with comments or asks if I am pregnant. After experiencing breast secreations, I checked and that was a negitive. My 8 year old loves it that most of the time I am too hoarse to give orders. That is when I can finally pull myself out of a much needed doze or nap. The sweet me has disappeared and the wicked witch has taken over as I am always moody, depressed and tired. I too have experienced flu like symptoms, ringing in my ears and insomnia. Advair along with the Singuliar has made life on the breathing end very good, but on the health end the pits.

I am using Advair temporaily. It provides relief when I have a lot of sinus drainage and can't breath well. I am also reading Sally Fallons Nourishing Traditions and cutting out wheat, corn and most dairy. Also, all unnatural food additivesand processing including pesticides. Go to mercola.com to search for info on health and what's in the food we eat. I had no idea what was in stuff I was eating. I was shocked. I am hoping that I can get to a place where I won't need the medicine.

I have been using Advair on & off for a year. I too suffer from post nasal drip, phlegm, dry mouth & coughing fits.
I heard about the side effects on the Today show this morning and had just taken a dose of Advair. I immediately went to the web to research this drug and after reading dozens of postings detailing the same side effects, I am convinced my lingering cold-like symptoms are a direct result of using Advair. I've taken my last dose and I'm anxious to see if my health improves.

Hi, I have a 9 year-old son who has asthma. He took Advair for a couple of months and has gained 55 lbs. It is almost impossible for him to lose. There are so many, many negative side effects from this product that if you are reading this you already know you should be off of it. Please, for your health, do not listen to your doctor regarding this medicine. It has changed my son's behavior and his weight gain has made his life miserable.

hi, i was put on advair 250-50 in sept. 05, it worked great!! after a few days, i was in so much pain, i could hardly move!! i told my doctor, he said it was not from the advair!! then i gained so much weight, went back to the doctor, he said why are you gaining so much weight??, i said its from the advair!!! hes like no its not, so i begged him to take me off it, he wouldnt, so he lowered it to 100-50, in feb -06, no change, i was miserble!! on march of 06 i stopped my self, the pain stopped!! i lost weight right away, i felt so much better!! i have had to use my inhaler 1 time since i stopped, i am breathing just fine, & i can clear my lungs on my own, i am not saying this is the best thing for everyone, just in my case, i took a chance, cause i didnt know what was gonna happen if i stopped suddenly, but everything was fine with me, even better than before!! but please if you decide to stop, ask your doctor first.DONT GAMBLE WITH YOUR HEALTH.

CONSTANT throat clearing AND weight gain. I am a fitness freak; work out like a fiend and eat extremely health but I cannot lose a lb to save my life. I never knew an Advair side effect could be weight gain until I read these testimonials. Those of you that have gained weight, have you stopped the Advair??? What are you taking now????

I just started on Advair 100 last week and really loved the stuff from day one. This is the first time I've ever felt completely free from asthma. No wheezing or difficulty in breathing at all. I've struggled with terrible asthma all my life and would say that it has reduced the quality of my life.
Anyway, the only problem I noticed after starting the Advair was that my voice is now starting to go. This is the first time in my life where my voice is a bit raspy and hoarse, so I know it's because of the Advair.
So searching for information concerning loss of voice eventually brought me to this site. Let me say how sad I am to find out that the only medication that's been this helpful to me could be so detrimental to my health :(
Does anybody know if I just reduce from 2 uses a day to maybe once a day, or once every other day if that would reduce my chances of developing weight gain, mouth fungus, etc, etc? Please reply to me at: ******
I am very concerned and would be sad if I had to give it up.

Even though it works amazingly to control my asthma I have suffered from insomnia, exhaustion, acne, mood swings,and a significant weight gain. I work out like a crazy person and live on lettuce and am still gaining. I was never told by my Dr of these side effects. I am at least relieved to know that I am not alone. I have been off Advair for only a couple days now and already feel a shift for the better in my health.