Advair HFA and leg cramps

I have been on Advair Diskus and Singular for about 2 months now for Athsma. As time went on I wondered what was wrong with me.

Singular gave me a horrible stomach ache after 2-3 days which I stopped.
Symbicort made me very itchy and gave me hives.

W/Advair my personality changed as I fell deeper and deeper into a pit of despair. It all began w/serious mood swings, fatigue, leg cramps, anxiety and depression. I wondered why I was so out of sort and I noticed my emotions were not what I considered normal for my self. I became anti-social and have been unable to sleep for more than 3-4 hours at a time as well as now I also have itchy skin and hives.

I thought, what am I doing now that I have not been on or doing before and began to Google my symptoms. I ran into this site to find my aggravations w/anexity, depression and lack of focus is now not my imagination and that I am not the only one and now understand the reasons why I have been feeling so down.

I am now on the path to detoxing from this stuff and am going to stop taking this medication and just use Proventil as needed for my Athsma.

Thanks to all of you who posted here and best of luck to everyone in recovery from the terrible side effects of these medications.

My daughter was on Advair, Singulair, and Zyrtec to control her severe asthma and allergies. We were so thankful that these medications kept her from having to be hospitalized 2-3 times a year for uncontrollable asthma attacks. About six months after she began taking these medications she began to have headaches, she had difficulty sleeping, she was irritable, she had stomach pains, leg cramps,and eventually depression and social withdrawal. She went from an outgoing and happy teenager to a bitter and angry person. In 2003 she committed suicide. Six months after her death reports started to surface about the link between singulair and depression and suicide. Perhaps for my daughter it was a combination of the three drugs. Whatever you do be cautious and do your research before taking any allergy or asthma medication. Go to the Singulair website and you will be astounded by what you read. Please try to get the word out about these medications.

I am a 25 year old female and I have only been on advair for less than a month. I have already gained ten pounds!!! I also have the very hoarse voice (sometimes i can hardly talk) the leg cramps and that constant feeling of something in my throat that I just can't clear, not to mention the occasional blurred vision. I was prescribed the advair because I have moderate asthma...I really think its making it worse. So sorry that all these people had to go through what they did but I am very thankful that they shared their stories. I was unsure of whether or not I should stop taking this...now I have made up my mind that I am.

I am a 26 year old female and was prescribed Advair some years ago by my Asthma & Allergy doctor. I took it off and on for several years. Honestly I was scared to take it because of the side effects I thought it might have. About 16 months ago I went off birth control because my husband and I wanted to have a baby. I continued to take Advair 150/50 twice a day. I got pregnant in July and had a miscarriage Sep 1. Then while still taking Advair I got pregnant again shortly after that. After my first OB appointment it was established that the fetus/egg sack had no heartbeat. I had a D & C done in December to clear out the unsuccessful pregnancy. I decided after reading all these comments and thinking about my own side effects of taking Advair that my miscarriage were the cause of taking Advair. I believe Advair may have decreased my body's ability to clot blood properly and that is what has caused my babies not to thrive. I decided in January of 08 to stop taking Advair. I asked my doctor about the Advair and being put on another medicine in Jan and he seemed to think that there was nothing wrong with me taking Advair. I stopped taking it anyways. I decided since mostly all of my mild Asthma symptoms were caused by exercising that I would just use Proventil/Albuterol inhaler before exercise. It worked great and in Jan, Feb, March of 08 I trained for a 5k, and ran it in March under 26 minutes. I have been off Advair ever since Jan and have been fine. I used a peak flow meter to be sure my breathing was normal. I only use the Albuterol occasionally now. Furthermore I am now almost 20 weeks pregnant and doing fine. Besides the miscarriages I also blame Advair on other side effects I experienced when taking it including leg cramps, increase in heart rate, restlessness after taking in evening, night sweat, hoarseness, dry throat, headaches, and whenever I would get a cut or something it would take forever for me to stop bleeding.
now my blood clots quickly no problem. I was taking no other meds besides Advair when I experienced all this. DON'T TAKE ADVAIR...unless you feel the benefits of the drug outweigh all of the horrible side effects. Demand another med. with fewer side effects.

I've been on Advair for probably 5 years. It has kept my asthma under control very well. Right now I take 250/50 and I'm down to one puff a day. I notice some of the side effects mentioned here, especially leg cramps. My weight has always fluctuated, so I can't blame that on Advair, in fact, I lost 60 pounds a couple of years ago while on Advair. I do have hoarseness that I'm sure is attributed to Advair. I take allergy shots and I'm almost to a maintenance level now. I'm hoping that between the shots, acupuncture, and a low dose of Advair, I will maintain my asthma control without the side effects. By the way, I also take Singulair which I think helps.

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.

WOW! I guess I will consider myself one of the lucky ones after reading all of these side effects posted here. Let me first say that I have tried many inhalers -- serevent, flovent, ventolin etc etc -- and the asthma kept getting worse. Then my doctor suggested Advair. I've been taking it for several years now. I knew that all medications have side effects and I read through the list carefully. The medicine was a Godsend! It helped me so much that I would have recommended it to most anyone. Recently, however, I've started having the occasional heart palpitations and recurring sinus infections. I'm beginning to wonder if it is time to move on to another drug. I'm in my early 30s and have been trying to conceive for a few years to no avail. I recently read that Advair can cause irregular cycles and now wonder if it is playing a part in my fertility struggles. Only other symptoms I have are tooth sensitivity and occasional leg cramps -- however, these existed prior to starting Advair; they might have become more prevalent but I don't believe Advair caused them.
I'd like to hear from anyone who is currently trying Asmanex...that might be my next drug.

February 18, 2008 9:46pm
Hi, I too just ran across your website. I had a doctor's appointment today to find out why I have numbness in the right leg, achiness in the joints, lower back pain, problems walking where sometimes I have to walk with a cane, restless leg syndrome, and terrible leg cramps. I am a 56 yr old female. I quit using Advair about one year ago after using it every fall, winter and early spring for about six years. While using it I too had heart palpitations that woke me up in the middle of the night. They disappeared after I stopped using it. But the joint pain and walking problems still persist. Does anyone know if they will disappear in time? The doctor is sending me for tests for Arthritis and Neuropathy.
-- By leegc

On Advair for about 4 years, at first I was fine with only minor throat irritations. About a year later I started having the Leg cramps / Muscle tightness. I've been to many Doctors who couldn't explain my leg pain. I tried to stop using my Advair many times, but felt so horrible that I had to start using it again. Last week my allergy doctor put my on Prednisone for pleurisy and I decided on my own to GET OFF ADVAIR. I have felt like a new woman this week. My leg pain is almost gone, my eyesight seems to be improving, and my random joint pain is slowing down. I didn't realize until I found this site tonight, that SO MANY people have had the same experiences. Like you others, my DOCTOR assured me there weren't ANY side effects. I'll gladly use my inhaler a couple times a week to manage my asthma. DON'T listen to your DR, there are other ways!!!!! By the way, I'm a 38 year old female. I feel like I'm finally getting my life back.

I've had a case of Asthmatic Bronchitis for the last two months. Doctor prescribed the Z-pack (2 Rounds) and a ProAir inhaler (Albuterol). After 1 month of this I felt better...but still not 100%.

Then he gave me the wretched Advair. I took one puff...and 15 minutes later was in the emergency room. I completely couldn't breathe...lost all color in my face...heart was racing...nervousness...tremors...chills...etc. I took a couple puffs off the Albuterol and that helped open the airways so the ambulance ride wasn't necessary. But the ER visit was still necessary.

They gave me a nebulizer treatment and 60mg of Prednisone and after an about 2 hours I was released. Now today...exactly 12 hours later I have the dry mouth, hoarseness, and leg cramps others have mentioned. Hoping this will clear up soon...I mean common I only took 1 puff!

Long and short...stay away from this medication at all costs! Something must be wrong if so many people are having these types of effects.

I have been on Advair 250/50 for approx 4 yrs. I am 47 now. I Know I have to take the medicine for my COPD every 12 hrs. If not, I have difficult time breathing. I had leg cramps in the beginning, but not too much now. The problem that is most bothersome now is low back pain. Not sure if I have osteoporosis setting in, or it is just a side effect. I am always coughing up mucus. My shoulders, arms, and legs, are very sore to the touch. Feels like someone has come up and slugged me, and that is just from a finger touch.
I know I cannot get off of the Advair, If does help my breathing, but I also know the consequences if I do not take it. Almost like my life line.
Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm a 38 year old female who was prescribed Advair after a severe bout of bronchitis one year ago. While at first I thought that it was helping my lungs my family members noticed that I was getting more headaches, mood swings and I went from a soprano singer to sounding like Harry Belafonte. I have stopped and now I have cramping pains in my chest and upper back. I call it my traveling pain as it is not always in the same spot. I would much rather have tried a homeopathic remedy than subject myself to Advair every again. I have learned through a nutritionist and chiropractor how to manage the pain in my lungs that this crap has left behind. Please research this carefully before you start sucking in that dust!!

My son was prescribed Advair for his asthma a week ago. He has been having leg cramps so bad, his legs buckle on him. Dr said it's not because of Advair, but after reading this site, I'm taking him off Advair immediately.

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.

Hi, I just ran across your website. My 11 yr. old son is very much allergic to every airborne thing one can be allergic to. He has been on Advair 100/50 for about 3-4 years now because he has also been diagnosed with asthma. Recently we took him to the pediatrician for what he thinks might be lower chest wall muscle spams. Plus in the past he complained on/off of leg cramps which I attributed to growing pains but after reading your website am not sure. Recently we have him on Prevacid because the allergist thinks he is suffereing from heartburn. Also, yesterday, we took him to get his eyes checked and he needs glasses now for nearsightedness. All could be occurring on their own accord or could this be due to Advair? He is overweight as well and we always suspected Advair and now to hear others say it sure makes me worry.

I had extreme stomach bloating and was starting to think I had ovarian cancer or something. I could only eat a little at a time or I'd be so bloated and couldn't breathe. I had 2 lung infections, terrible feet and leg cramps and I also had neck and behind the ear pain, but thought something was out in my neck. I quit using Advair 2 months ago, and now that I come to think of it, my neck and ear pain is gone, and I'm sure I've lost at least 5 lbs. off of my stomach. I also had a very raspy throat and awful sores inside of my mouth for a few months, but attributed it to not gargling every time I used Advair. I started rinsing my mouth out better and the raspy throat did improve, but the mouth sores were always there no matter how much I rinsed. Another thing that has come to me lately is that I don't feel nearly as lethargic and depressed as I did, but never thought of it being the Advair. Reading everyone's side effects, it explains a lot of odd maladies I seemed to be suffering that I don't seem to be bothered by now. I used Advair for over 2 years every day. I will never use it again.

I've always had problems with leg cramps but now, since I've started taking Advair, every muscle in my body cramps -- BADLY. So I'm done, I'm going to call the doctor Monday a.m. & tell him I've stopped the medication. I just thought it was a fluke and I was having a bad time (have done that), but since getting on here and seeing that other people have had this problem, I'm sure it's the Advair. Occassionally I've forgotten a dose & the cramps have gotten better. So now I'm putting 2/2 together. As much as Advair has helped my cough, it's put me in so much pain I can't get one hrs. sleep before I have to jump out of bed and try walking a cramp out, during the day my back, arms, hands, chest, stomach muscles are all cramping painfully while I'm trying to work.

ive taken advair for 3 years,ive had a few side effects including: weight gain, pains in my leg, and tiredness. i dont know if these are from the advair or not. i never had these issues before taking it. i really dont know what to do. if im not on advair i have a hard time breathing and have chest pains. Does breathing better out weigh the side effects that it causes??? i have problems with inflamation and advair seems to work well with that aspect. Is there natural alternatives? HELP!!!

I am a 71 year old man with COPD (emphysema) My pulmonologist has prescribed Spiriva and Advair. I have taken Advair for over three years and Spiriva for about 18 months. Lately, I have experience a rapid heart beat (sometimes 138 bpm), problems with hoarseness, thick mucus in the throat, weight gain including an unpleasant, distended belly after eating, leg cramps at night, heartburn, dizziness and slow stream urination. I've been checked for prostate problems, the results of which were normal. My heart has always been healthy but lately with the rapid heartbeat, I've become very concerned. I am going to stop taking the Advair and see what the results are. The Spiriva seems to be doing a good job for me and I will continue with it since it is not a steroid.

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 an RN. I have complained to my allergist and Practisioner for years that I have terrible hip pain, muscle and joint pain with the Advair. It works great to control the wheezing, but everytime I start back on it, within 2 weeks I am limping and crying with pain in my legs and hips. Everytime I manage to get off for two weeks the pain subsides. I have had xrays of my hips and there is no deterioration. I too have gained considerable weight. We have tried Spriva and it also had adverse reactions. It increased mucus instead of decreasing it. If anyone has a suggestion, I would like to hear what it is.

I'm a healthy 46 year old female, went to the Dr. a few months back because my Asthma acted up (hadn't had problems with it for years). Took Advair and it really worked... but I've had many of the same symptoms I've read about on this site. Leg cramps, itchy skin, throat problems... all have gone since I stopped taking Advair except the throat. It feels like I've swallowed a marble and it's stuck in my adams apple... and I get hoarse fast. Anyone know what I can do to stop this?

I have been on Advair for two months now I have been experiencing anxiety, dizziness and over all irritability, weigh gain and leg cramps.

I'm not sure if the side effects are worse than the problems I was having.

I have been taking Advair, Singular and a nose spray for 2 weeks with great results. However: when I was in fr a chek up I mentioned muscle cramps, I thought was unrelated but he immediately changes my prescription from ADvair and said it also ocassionally caused tiredness and sluggishness inthe morning. MY son prescribes Advair all day long and had never heard of the until I called him. He will bw watchful for this from now on.
I feel a hundred times better this morning!

I've been takig Advair 250x2 for about a year now and until I found this website I thought I was losing my mind. Side effects include thrush (and I rinse with half peroxide and half water, brush teeth, and then rinse with Listerine after i use the advair), leg cramps, dizziness, "lung pain", weight gain, post nasal drip, sleeplessness.....I have an apointment with my Doctor tomorrow, I think I'll suggest that he take me off advair and put me on something else!

I've had the same side effects as everyone else. I started with a terrible burning in my mouth, stomach. I told the Dr. and he took me off the Advair and prescribed Nystatin for 10 days. At that time I was using 250/50. Later when I couldn't breathe, I ask him to let me go back on it. I have leg cramps, problems sleeping and I too have gained a lot of weight. I feel very "full", it seems to be pressing on my sides and lungs preventing me from breathing well. I went back on 100/50. I have discussed all the side effects with my Dr., and I even called the
company. They were very nice, ask for my permission to contact my Dr. about it, and of course I said, "Sure". They did contact him, because I ask, so yes, they are aware of all the things. as the previous person who posted said, it seems to get worse every year and I would have to stop and use an
inhaler before making it 1 block. However, I was told by my previous Dr. some years ago that as the disease progresses there would be pressure on my sides, which in turn would put a strain on my heart which would eventually cause heart problems. So I was expecting that before Advair came along.
Even though Advair does help the breathing, I feel sure that
the complaints most of us have (since they are all about the same problems) that Advair is the cause. I was told that if you rinse your mouth well the burning would not happen. Not true! I rinse and gargle each time and I STILL have that problem.The cramps in my feet and legs are another problem that has been very bad for me. I suppose it would be helpful if everyone reported the problems. I was told by the Company that each complaint they receive is put on record at FDA. They keep a record of all complaints that are reported (so I was told). I can tell you that they are very understanding and make every effort to be helpful.

I was just lying in bed trying to think why my 16 year old daughter coulod be having liver inflammation when I remembered ayear ago my father mailed me info about advair she was just put on and it's side affects. I thought I would go on the computer to try and see if the advair could cause this side affect and came about this site first. We have an appt with an infectous desease MD tomorrow along with a scheduled pulmonary appt. She has put on 10 pounds in the last year and can't figure out why. Also, she has had terrible leg cramps while sleeping. I think I'm taking her off advair after speaking to the infectous disease dr that can't figure out whats wrong and the pulmonary dr and see what happens. Anybody else with their liver count?

Been using Advair for about 3 months for slight to moderate asthma. Another post noted severe leg cramps, and I was very surprized to read this becasue I have been experiencing them too. Very painful worst than the worst charlie horse type pains that reduce in severity rather quickly. These are monsters and also in the middle of the night.

My voice has been getting more raspy and fainter. I never even thought to attribute these symtoms to Advair.

Leg cramps at night, causing me to feel exhausted. I simply stopped using it and had no ill effects. Otherwise it was so effective, I miss it. My doctor did not feel I needed a replacement, but several support group friends who had to stop using Advair now use Foradil with an inhaled steroid like Flovent or Asmanex.

Rare but occasional leg cramps. Acid reflux due also in part to inherited condition. I have been taking advair for about 6 years. It has saved my life. I can breathe well and be active like never before.

Normal weight gain due to stress factors, probably only in part to advair --folks, weight gain doesn't come solely from advair--you have to put the food in your mouth in order to gain weight--so you are over-eating and advair is only part of the problem. A good solution to weight gain is to read up on nutrition, for example, MACROBIOTICS, a food philosophy relying on lots of whole gains, natural fiber is good fo filling you up, beans, etc. --and try to improve what you are eating. Avoid sugar, it is the coccaine of the food world and SUGAR CAUSES HEADACHES (migraines).

Also, it is NORMAL to gain weight as you age. Especially for women, because the added weight pulls on your bones, causing a good kind of stress that causes the bones to bulk up just as you are approaching menopause.

Learn to be happy eating foods that are good for you, and you will weigh less and feel better.

Although advair may have some problems and may not be for everyone, its benefits enable me to live a normal life and it works well for me, the benefits outweighing the negatives. A hundred years ago, or even maybe only 40 years ago, someone like me would have had little chance of living to be 50.

I have been on advair for at least three or four years and now have been dependant on it. I have gained 55 pounds and I never had a weight problem. I started getting very stiff knees and elbows with leg cramps but shrugged it off as part of the weight gain. Occasionally i get heart palpitations and dizziness and I also have developed serious heartburn or reflux at night. I never thought all these symptoms were related until I came across this website. I am amazed that other people are going through this also.

This website is wonderful! I finally have peace thanks to being off Advair and knowing that all those dreadful symptoms were side effects of Advair.
I have been on ASMANEX now for 29 days and haven't misssed my life before on Advair. When I was on Advair, my asthma was not in control. I used my inhaler at least 2X/day, I was panting when I exercised, my asthma woke me up at night and my leg cramps kept me from falling asleep for many hours every night.
I was on Advair 250/50 and felt awful. I now take ASMANEX 220mcg only once per day; before I go to bed and my asthma is in control. I am taking 280 mcg LESS of steriod than when I was on Advair and no Serevent and I feel better than I ever have!
It's amazing b/c I tried Advair 100/50 and it didn't work for me at all but ASMANEX(mometasone) is much more effective.
I have been waiting for this drug to come on the market for some time (it is the same drug as Nasonex just like Flovent is the same drug as Flonase) b/c I have horrible allergies which flares my asthma and I have found that Nasonex (mometasone) was far superior for clearing nasal congestion than Flonase so I assumed it (Asmanex) would work great for asthma too and I was right.
As a matter of fact Nasonex works so well compared to Flonase that at the moment it is pollen season and I don't even feel like I have allergies. Now that is amazing.

Sore gums and canker sores; leg cramps; possible weight gain.

For information to the previous posts:

I have been off Advair now for 10 days (last post was on March 2). I switched to Qvar and it is working great. It took a week to get rid of the after affects of Advair - legs cramps, palpitations, nervousness, not sleeping at night.

For the last year and a half I wondered what the leg cramps were about; why I wasn't sleeping soundly at night (I thought it was pre menopause); all these different palpitations at various times; waking up in the morning feeling a "heavy" feeling. I also developed diabetes during this time. I really believe the Serevent in the Advair was doing a number on me.

I wrote to the FDA regarding this. On March 6, 2006 the FDA put out a new warning regarding Advair and Serevent (it's on the internet).

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO TAKING ADVAIR OR SEREVENT. BUT SEE YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STOPPING SO THAT HE CAN PUT YOU ON ANOTHER TYPE OF ASTHMA MED. AND CHECK THE PRESCRIBING INFORMATION!!!

I've been on Advair for about 3 years. Started out on 250/50 and was able to reduce down to 100/50. I've had the yeast in my throat, bad leg cramps, have constantly had to watch my weight (which I thought was from my quitting smoking), have joint aches and pains, and no energy. I have at one point in time had the ulcers in my mouth (not as bad now). Racing pulse..always over 100, sometimes up to 120. So, I'm going to get off of this stuff. Does anyone know the effects if you just totally quit? I'm thinking about reducing my dose to once a day first instead of totally quiting. Any input would be appreciated.

Been on Advair for 10 months, and have gained 20 lbs since then!! Also experience sharp head pains, foot & leg cramps, short term memory loss, irritability and mood swings, increased menstrual flow, slow healing of wounds, etc. Main concern is rapid weight gain! I went to my dr today to discuss...she claims to be unaware of any of these side effects being related to Advair....she can't imagine weight gain as Advair is a powder that goes into just the lungs. My mid section is where I have gained mostly. After reading all the boards on different websites, I am surprised to see how many are experiencing the same side effects with Advair, & I am convinced that it is the cause. I asked dr to prescribe something else, & she did...asmanex & serevent....haven't tried it yet...but I now read that asmanex is also linked to weight gain. I feel so frustrated that I can't rely on my dr for this, & feel like I have to fiure it all out on my own. I'm scared to continue with these meds but I need something to keep my mild asthma under control....everyday. Can anyone recommend anything to me? Should I switch to non-steroid? Any feedback on Singulaire somethin similar? Any information will be helpful. Thanks!

Mona

I to have had such bad leg cramps and my tongue has white spots and the back of my throat.I'm taking swish and swallow for it.And sI can't sleep well at night all the time.I do take singulair 10mg at night before bed.I don't have any problems with my sugar.

I've been taking Advair for three weeks. Some very strange things have been happening to my body, such as:weight gain, can't eat hot spicy food, no fruit, soda, or hot drinks. Tongue is so very sore and bright red. Leg cramps continue both during day and night. I thought I was going crazy until I read this website. Thanks to all who have shared their discomforts. Let me add that my husband has been on Advair for five years and has never had any side effects. I guess some can and some can't take this medication.

Wondering why I can't get into any of my jeans, I decided to Google "Advair and Weight Gain". WOW !! Not only do I now attribute my 20 lb. weight gain to Advair (100/500), I also know why I have leg cramps, insomnia, mood swings, and no improvement of my asthma symptoms.
Trashing my Advair !!

Reading all the messages on this site has been helpful. I've been on Advair for a couple years and have had leg cramps on-and-off. I never thought about them being related to Advair. Many years ago, I had colon surgery (Koch Pouch). I never had any problems for 15 years. However, during the past two years, I've had one inflammation after another and have been on antibiotics more than I like. I'm going to discontinue Advair and see if it makes a difference. Thanks for all the information you provided here. If going off helps, I'll post again.

It started as a cough... thought I had a cold but just cough continued until I lost my voice. I coughed so hard I thought it was something much more serious since my mother died of lung cancer. I have never smoked but got plenty of second-hand smoke. Doctor said it was allergy/asthma and prescribed Prednisone (7 day) and Advair. Prednisone is now gone but still have trouble with voice breaking up, some cough, and not leg cramps, stomach cramps and dizziness. I am on 250/50 and also prescribed and using Albuterol and Flonase. Thanks for this site and information. I will discontinue Advair and see the reaction. I am now not so worried. -Pamela-

Since June 2004, I took Advair after a very bad asthma attack when I was hospitalized.
Last month, I stopped taking Advair during a week vacation when I inadvertently forgot it at home. Since my asthma didn't return, I decided to try living without it. That's when I started having stomach cramps. I made the connection to Advair last night when I realized that my problems started after I stopped taking Advair. Thanks to this website, I realized that the side-effects, which I thought was just life, was coming from Advair:
- weight gain despite working out 5 days a week. Even though I did my regular leg stretches, my joints felt very tight. Sometimes after working out, I felt dizzy or close to vomiting. I thought this was due to excessive training so I cut down the days and switched my workout. But it didn't matter, I am now unable to workout regularly because of the daily stomach cramps.
- severe leg cramps after biking and kayaking
- if I sat down too long, my feet got bloated like I had been riding an airplane
- Insomnia
- heart palpitations
- dry and flaky skin
- an open wound from a slight burn that is taking a long time to heal
- joint pains at night that are only relieved by lying in a hot tub for half the night
I'm hoping that these side effects will go away eventually as the Advair drug gets out of my system.

I did not think I was having any problems with Advair until I read an article about side effects. I have many.....leg cramps, muscle aches, fungal infection in mouth, and more. The one I am curious about though I am not sure if it is related to Advair or not. I would really like some info. I quit smoking in March, 2005, after smoking for 39 years. Since I quit, I have noticed (more than before) that I still cough quite a lot. Most is very dry, hacking cough, but occasionally, I bring up some mucous from my lungs, and it is solid. If it was a very large piece of mucous, I would actually choke on it. Most are small but numerous. Any suggestions??
Thanks

I have been taking advair 500 for over a year, breathing better than ever. In the last month, I have developed severe muscle cramps in my legs that are incapcitating as well as gained weight. I did not have problems with advair until now. The leg cramps are so severe I had to be rescued from a swimming pool. Also, the muscle cramps have on two recent occasions resulted in a painful injury to my legs.

I take advair 500 twice a day. I read in the insert from the pharmacy that if you have been taking corticosteroids for a long time you need to be careful about stopping them cold turkey--it is dangerous.

I am glad I ran across this site and confirmed my suspicion about the leg cramps. I will call my allergist Monday and see what she recommends.

I am so glad to have found this sight. I thought I was seriously ill. I have been on Advair for about 8 months. Since January I have been quite fatigued. I was never able to nap in the afternoon but now if I'm not at work I have to have at least an hour nap. I have chest pain that travels down my left arm. I was sent for stress test and echocardiogram and everything came back normal. The doctor has just prescribed Aciphex for acid reflex thinking that could be the problem. I have a metalic taste in my mouth. I have leg cramps from the knees down and muscle pain in the back and shoulders. I feel like I constantly have the flu. I get night sweats and last night terrible stomach cramps(the first night I stopped Advair). I have gained weight that settled around my waist. I have weighed the same for the past 10 years. I have headaches and blurred vision and trouble concentratring. I have a constant postnasal drip and am always coughing. I stopped Advair yesterday and am not quite as tired. I am interested in knowing if and when the symptoms go away. I just pray that this does no permanent damage.

I am so thrilled to have stumbled across this site. So many lightbulbs are going on. I have been gathering pieces of the Advair complications in my life just recently after taking it for years. Finally so many things are making sense. I started taking Advair 100/50 in 1996, and like most people, I had almost immediate relief of symptoms. My alupent inhalers that I used to puff on regularly started to expire before I was even 1/3 of the way through them. What a miracle!
I experienced no MAJOR side effects until my dosage was bumped up last fall to the 250.

From that point on, I have experienced:

* a chronic raw, gravelly sore throat. I saw a specialist (who knew what amount of Advair I was on and never mentioned this as a possibility) He sent me on my way with a pamphlet on heart burn. I don't have heart burn, and my friends joke that I have a permanent new, husky smoker's voice!

* severe dry skin and horrible eczema, concentrated mainly on my lower legs and ankles-- this started almost exactly one month after my dosage was increased but I didn't make the connection

* thinning hair

* cuts, sores slow to heal

* yeast infections are a frequent and nasty visitor

* swelling in my ankles

* toe and leg cramps

* slight weight gain

* irritability-- my typically sunny attitude has shifted to a lot of depression and feelings of anger off and on

Also, like so many others here, when I tried to talk to the Dr. about decreasing my level of Advair, she told me not to mess with success and wanted to hear nothing about it. When I flat out asked her what the long term consequences could be of inhaling steroids, she responded by saying "Well, you don't absorb them in your system since you are inhaling it, so there's obviously nothing to worry about! Harumph.." She acted like it was the stupidest question she had ever heard and left me feeling angry and frustrated.

I consulted with my dermatologist in regards to my eczema.. I have almost been scratching my legs until they bleed because the itching is so insufferable and nothing has been alleviating the symptoms. She confirmed that the Advair use could definitely be linked to my increasing, chronic skin problems. Another patient in their practice had developed full blown Cushing's Syndrome after years of excessive inhaled cortisone. Her skin was thin and papery and her whole system was a mess.

I have an appt with a new dr. this week to begin a regimen of weaning off this stuff. I am quite scared and only wish I would have connected the dots sooner. It was my German brother-in-law, a doctor, who raised red flags with me when I told him about my symptoms and showed him the dosage of Advair I was taking twice a day. He was quite stunned and quickly convinced me the severity of the situation.

Asthma is under control. Allergens seem to have little effect anymore. Gained about 15% in before/after weight. I am a male, but have noticed increase in chest breast area. I have steady(daily) leg cramps. Have noticed vision change but maybe due to age. I am 47 on Advair for approx 9 months. Had previous C7 back injury. Thru exercise and stretching was symptom free for nearly 4 years, it came back within 1-2 months using advair. Dr. says coincidence on the back. He did admit advair to cause cramping like other steroids as they rob sodium from the muscles. I have noticed sore throat and bumps in throat also especially if I do not drink a glass of water after rinsing my mouth from usage. I am tempted to withdraw from it, but I hear it needs to be a gradual withdrawal. Want to talk to doc about it, anyone know about discontinuing it??

The dr. said no side effects. I've been on it for five months and big weight gain from 32C bra to 36D. Not happy about this. Also major foot and leg cramps. I used to sleep holding my albuterol inhaler and have gone weeks without even using it. But these side effects including itching, weakness, etc. are not worth it. I am going to try and go without it. Inhaled steriods DO cause side effects despite what the doctors say. I am so absolutely thrilled to hear that I am not the only one with bad side effects.