Advair HFA and medical term

I've had asthma virtually all of my life. I'm 34 yrs. old now. I've had allergy shots (they did nothing). I used to take Theo-Dur (Theophylline). I've tried Serervent (didn't work). But Advair has really improved my asthma symptoms. Before Advair I was using Albuterol 10x per day. I'd wake up during the night and take a shot of Albuterol. It was not a good situation.

I've been on Advair for about 3 years now. I was prescribed the 250 dosage, but I take it only once a day in the morning. The asthma is the best it's ever been.

I've noticed a lot of the side effects that many of you have. Some of the stuff is easy enough to live with. I can deal with the occasional soar on my tongue / throat. I can tolerate a scratchy voice every now and then. But there are other issues that I now attribute to Advair that I can't continue to live with.

My back ache is awful. I cannot get comfortable at all. It even hurts when I'm laying in bed trying to fall asleep. I've gained weight too -- about 40 lbs. I'm 6'1" and 215 lbs. I was 180 in my beer drinking days. I'm not all that active, and maybe metabolism does slow with age ... but I'm not eating any more than before starting Advair. If it was just the weight, I'd blame myself and work out more.

The most significant change I've noticed was swelling of the lower legs. My shins would feel like they were full of fluid and they were tender to the touch. The medical term in Edema, and I saw a doctor about the Edema because it can be a sign of heart problems, etc. All tests came back as normal.

Now -- with the back pain and the edema and the weight gain -- all the doctors said the same thing. "Lose some weight". It makes sense, right? Less weight = less stress on your back & less stress on your legs. But I am thinking that the Advair is responsible. What can I do?

I'm not medical scholar, but I am pretty observant. I've experience the ballooning effects of Prednisone as a kid. I've see Jerry Lewis recently on TV all puffed up from the steroids he's taking. I've seen athletes transform themelves from lanky and athletic to puffy and muscleboud -- as a result of steroid use. And while it's a different type of steroid -- how much of the "bulking up" can be attributed to the medication?

Another symptom I have is slow recovery from workouts. When I lift weight (for toning - not for bulk), it takes me 3-4 days for my muscles to recovery. It used to take only 1 day.

I don't know what to do. I feel like I need the Advair to breathe properly, but it's making me very uncomfortable in so many other areas. I'd love to stop taking it and see if the side effects go away, but quiting a steroidal medication like Advair isn't supposed to be done "cold turkey".

Suggestions?