Great board...

I was having anxiety and what felt like border line depression. Basically, just an overall uneasy feeling all the time accompanied with heart palpatations, and my hands started exhibiting tremors.

Has anyone else had Advair side effects like this? Just curious. It really stinks because I haven't breathed this freely my whole life. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Thanks...look forward to your replies.

Walt

Walt,

I love my Advair. I've been on it for about 6 months and the only side effect I occasionally have a problem with is Thrush. I looked up the side effects for you and listed them below. While depression wasn't listed, the heart palpitations and nerve problems were. You should probably consult your doctor.

Good luck,

Cheri.


More common side effects may include:
Bronchitis, cough, diarrhea, difficulty speaking, fungal infection of the mouth, gastrointestinal discomfort and pain, headaches, hoarseness, muscle pain, nausea, sinus problems, sore throat, upper respiratory infection or inflammation, vomiting


Less common side effects may include:
Allergic reactions, appendicitis, blood in nasal mucus, bone problems, burns, constipation, dental discomfort and pain, dry and scaly skin, ear problems, eye infection, fractures, heart palpitations, hives, joint pain, lower respiratory infections, mouth ulcers or rash, mouth discomfort or pain, muscle injuries, muscle stiffness, nasal irritation, nerve problems, red eyes, runny nose, pneumonia, skin infections, sleep disorders, sleepiness, sneezing, sweating, tremors, wounds

Thanks for the reply...

I saw this info, but I also saw some "after trial" reports of anxiety and depression. I was concerned and I'm taking off from all medications for a week. I have a BP medication that may be causing the anxiety as well.

I also read that people with HBP should strongly consider whether Advair is for them...I have high blood pressure and wondered if this may be a problem.

I understand that these are old standby treatments, but everyone's different, just wanted to see if I'm not alone on this.

I'm going to try Singulair starting next week. Another concern, however, is that the anxiety could be coming from my HBP meds and not the advair. It'll be some time before I can figure it out since I started taking them around the same time.

Thanks again.

Walt

Hi Walt!!!! And Welcome!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I just thought it was interesting that while advair is supposed to help you breathe, one of the common side effects is upper respiratory inflammation!!!


Blue

Hi there ... I've been using Advair 500/50 for about a year now. I really like it because I used to take a ridiculous number of 'puffs' from the two separate meds. But the first few weeks (seemed like months) it definitely made my heart race shortly after a took it. Dr said it was from the Serevent - the 'reliever' part of the mix. I had to be careful to take it at least a couple hours before bedtime, because I could not go to sleep listening to my heart pounding in my ears. That effect gradually wore off - I had actually forgotten about that until I read your post.
Good luck with it.
Barb

Just because you can't take Advair doesn't mean you can't control your asthma -- look into just taking Flovent on MDI or inhaled powder (like the diskus), as it's the salmeterol in the advair that makes your heart race.

Hi, I'm new...just began Advair about 6 weeks ago and had no problems until last week. Then started similar reactions to those mentioned...racing heart, anxiety, jitters, dreams, etc. I became too nervous so stopped taking Advair a few days ago. Still have some symptoms, but not as intense. I will call dr next week, but does anyone know if it's dangerous to stop taking the medication suddenly? I did not switch to Advair from anything else; had Albuterol on hand just in case, but did not use often. Thanks!

Maybe not outright dangerous but it's far from a good idea -- the steroids in the advair, when stopped suddenly, can create a dangerous lack of adrenal hormone in your body. It would be a good idea to taper the dose off over the course of a couple weeks. Phone your doctor, and ask him, though. He might not care about the tapering (though I doubt it) and he'll at least be able to tell you how fast it would be alright for you to taper. People who've never been on oral steroids can taper faster than those who have. That kind of thing.

Thank you for your reply, wrin. I already took myself off Advair since the racing heartbeat really scared me, but will call the dr. You seem so knowledgable, maybe you could give me some info. During a routine visit, the dr had me blow into a thing and was not happy with the results, so he prescribed Advair. Prior to that, I felt fine. The dr said even though asthma symptoms "seem" under control, they may not be. My concern is that I felt so much worse on Advair. Is there anything else that might serve the same purpose, since my active symptoms are only occasional? Thanks!

the 'thing' he had you blow into was probably a peak flow meter-- you should also be on some kind of rescue medication like Ventolin that'll take care of any kind of serious problem that you have come on suddenly. These are usually taken on an as-needed basis, and might make you shaky and anxious like the Serevent in Advair will. But that's not really terrible, since you won't likely be taking this every day.

There's a corticosteroid component to the Advair that you can take seperately that isn't supposed to make you anxious, since it's not a stimulant. Serevent (salmeterol xinfoate) is a stimulant, and will make you a little shaky until you get used to it, if you get used to it at all.

If you're not big on the taking-of-the-steroids, see about taking another, less potent controller called a leukotriene receptor antagonist. They're little pills, maybe you've seen them advertised on TV, Accolate or Singulair? They're both hella-pricey but if your insurance covers them then you're set. Singulair is a little pill you take once a day. Accolate you take twice a day.

Wrin, thanks for the info. I was switched from Advair to Pulmicort and have been tolerating it better than Advair, so far. I did already have Albuterol on hand in case.

Since I was feeling fine prior to starting Advair or Pulmicort, it's frustrating to have to take something on a daily basis. However, from reading all these messages I am now aware of the value of preventative maintenance.

Next question...what is the difference between Pulmicort and Singulair?

Thanks for your help.

Pulmicort is a corticosteroid. It is generally speaking, the fuzzy little bunny of immunosuppressants. It blocks one particular immune response, known as the inflammatory response, in your body. This does a number of things. For one, it helps keep mast cells (which contain histamine) from blowing up, helps shrink swollen, inflamed areas, reduces the inflammation already present, and helps make drugs like ventolin more effective.

It blocks happy substances your body makes called the 'inflammatory mediators' from doing their job, making your blood vessels swell and get leaky, letting macrophages (white blood cells) migrate to the area and start chowing down, just generally it's a party pooper for inflammation.

One of these inflammatory mediators is called a 'leukotriene.' It's related to histamines and chemotactic factors of anaphylaxis in that it comes from mast cells too. What Singulair does is just block these leukotrienes, instead of blocking all of the inflammatory mediators. It isn't considered a replacement for steroid therapy, but in people for whom it works well, it can help you cut down on the amount of steroid you're taking, or, if you're lucky, help you reduce it altogether.

Basically, Pulmicort works on many pathways, whereas Singulair only works on one. That doesn't mean that it's less effective, just means that its result varies more from person-to-person. They do, however, have far fewer side-effects than the inhaled steroids, (not that the inhaled steroids have that many side effects to begin with,) and they're easier to take. No fighting with inhalers, whose effectiveness is very technique-dependent. IE, if you don't have the right technique, you don't get any drug. Singulair is a little pill. Can't really screw up taking THAT.

merriwood,

My doctor told me it was perfectly fine to stop the Advair, just as you did. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Some peoole get confused with oral and inhaled steroids and how to stop them. Oral steroids can't be stopped abruptly, but Advair can be stopped. If it wasn't helping you or if you had such adverse reactions that it interfered with your life then it was a good idea to stop. It's not for everybody.
Listen to your own instincts.

------------------
"Listen to your body."
Diana

merriwood,

Saw another one of your posts...

If you were only using your backup inhaler rarely, you did not need to be on Advair. There's an old expression that I adhere to now...
"If it works, don't fix it."

Just because it's the norm in the industry now, doesn't mean its for everyone. If your system is working, don't change medications. I learned that the hard way. Advair seemed to work miracles at first, until I started having more trouble than before I started taking it. Funny... my breathing problems disappeared as soon as I stopped taking it.

------------------
"Listen to your body."
Diana

[This message has been edited by Advair Sufferer (edited 04-07-2003).]

Has anyone had problems with Advair messing up their menstrual cycle?

WRIN wrote "No fighting with inhalers, whose effectiveness is very technique-dependent. IE, if you don't have the right technique, you don't get any drug. Singulair is a little pill. Can't really screw up taking THAT."

What is the right technique??

In using the inhalers, I noticed that sometimes there was no effect. I currently assume that only if I detect the taste, that I have gotten the medication. I use combivent (COPD) but assume the same situation applies. Have been considering switching to a nebulizer which I think is a nuisance but...

Any thoughts on the subject?
Lee


[This message has been edited by LeeTerman (edited 04-17-2003).]

There's no evidence really to prove which is better -- nebulizer or properly taken MDI. Everyone has an OPINION, based on whichever piece of literature, and everyone has a THEORY, which they'll happily argue with you over, but nobody's been proven totally right .... yet.

Lots of people re-use neb equipment designed to be disposable. This decreases drug delivery.

Lots of people also don't use their inhalers correctly. This is a problem and decreases drug delivery.

If you can taste the drug it doesn't necessarily mean you 'got' the medication -- think about it. If you can taste it, how much of it is in your mouth and not your lungs?

I can't really TELL you the proper technique -- it's sort of a demonstrated art. Next time you get a refill, get the pharmacist to check your technique and correct you if necessary. If you find it a trouble to co-ordinate the press+inhale (which you have to do at the same time, and inhale SLOWLY, not superfast like 99% of everyone does,) then you might find a spacer/aerochamber/whatever they call it to help you. They cost between $15 and $50, depending on the model and its features. Ask your pharmacist. You can get them without a prescription, but a prescription is likely to mean that your insurance will help you pay for it.

[This message has been edited by wrin (edited 04-18-2003).]

Originally posted by merriwood:
I became too nervous so stopped taking Advair a few days ago. Still have some symptoms, but not as intense. I will call dr next week, but does anyone know if it's dangerous to stop taking the medication suddenly?

Hello All. I'm a long-time asthma sufferer and new to Seretide - which is called Advair Diskus in the U.S., I believe. And new to this board too. It looks great and I'm sure I'll get some use out of it.

The insert in my package says to stop taking it immediately if you get any severe reactions, such as an allergic one. It also says to contact your Dr if you are experiencing heart-related effects.

Same goes on the Yahoo! site (http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs/adv1576/1.html) where it says "Alert your doctor immediately if you develop chest pain, heart palpitations, nervousness, or tremor".


Speaking of which, I've been on Pulmicort for years with a recent decline in asthma-free periods. Initially the combination of Pulmicort and Foradile were working well. The last 6 months I'd had 3 attacks which were severe enough to take me out of action and be couch-ridden.

It also seems the above treatment help un-block my nose which had been congested for 20-odd years.


After a dubious start, Seretide seems to be controlling my asthma well. The first 3 weeks on it, I had 2 minor attacks. None in the 5 weeks since.

However.........

I'm now seeing my blocked nose return http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif
I have also been getting red eyes and the odd sneezing episode a couple of times a day.

Does anyone else see this?

It would seem to be an allergic reaction, hence I'll book in at the doc's but I'm curious if it's just my nose getting back to "normal".

Thanks

------------------

To an iowa couple -- have you heard anything more about menstrual side effects? i have been on advair less than a week and would really want to know if there were -- that's the last thing i need.

also -- don't know if others' doctors have informed them not to take advair if you've been drinking.... did not tell me -- and about 60 minutes after using the advair saturday after a night out, had the worst, pulsating headache centered in my forehead. was terrified since i'd never felt pain like that before. doctor wasn't sure at first, but the cortico-steroid is not a good mix with alcohol. doctor also said to change to taking advair with food and not on the "brushing your teeth" schedule if it makes you shaky. so far, hasn't worked -- but i'm willing to give it time....

Hello everybody
Wardy you got me thinking! I'm from the UK & spent about 18 months in Australia. It made a great improvement to my very allergic type asthma....except when I was in Sydney!! I had to go to a doc for steroids & he reckoned the main culprit was the bottle brush tree! I was wheezy for weeks. Your sneezing etc doesn't coincide with stormy weather does it?

Wrin, just wanted to say that your replies to the posts are excellent - so knowledgeable & well explained. Thank you http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Lydia

Just started Adviar last week b/c asthma started up due to a bad bout iwth my allergies....I can now breathe and the constant coughing has deceased but now I have a sore throat....I'm a little nervous after reading these postings....anyone else have this problem...should I just deal with it???

Originally posted by WaltW:
Great board...

I was having anxiety and what felt like border line depression. Basically, just an overall uneasy feeling all the time accompanied with heart palpatations, and my hands started exhibiting tremors.

Has anyone else had Advair side effects like this? Just curious. It really stinks because I haven't breathed this freely my whole life. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Thanks...look forward to your replies.

Walt

Walt, while my hands are quite OK I could have written the rest of the message!
For the entire spring I have felt anxious and nervous, slightly depressed, heart racing, unable to relax and that is so not like me, and that's just the time I've been taking Advair. However I'm on 6-7 prescription meds and I first didn't think it was from Advair, but it really does make sense. I also have the trush!

Somebody mentioned Singulair, I have tried it last year when I had rough time with asthma but it did not help me any. Taking asthma medications in the form of pills makes me concerned because they contain higher amounts of cortisone than the inhaled ones and that is not good for your body. I've had my bone density checked, it was lower than average, though I don't have osteoporosis yet thank goodness (I'm under 40!). But using high amount of cortisone puts us to the risk of developing it. Also I worry what it does to the eyes.

I've been using ADVAIR DISCUS for 3 months now, I have not had this much comfort breathing in over 25 yrs.
I have noticed one side effect, I have some hoarsness and difficulty speaking.

Has anyone had the same problem?

What have you done to relieve the side effects?

Morbius, Flovent (an ingredient in advair) gave me the same symptoms.

What did I do? First make sure that you rinse your mouth well after taking it, and if that doesn't work, it might be worth it to either invest in an aerochamber or switch medications. Ask your doc-- he'll have a better idea of what'll work.

I switched to Pulmicort with zero problems -- works like a charm, except when I don't take it http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

To Stella -- you're a little confused -- Singulair isn't like Prednisone or other cortisone-based medications for asthma -- it's an entirely different medication. It's a little bit like an anti-allergy drug, for your lungs. They're exceedingly safe, but don't seem to work well for everybody.

[This message has been edited by wrin (edited 07-03-2003).]

To anIowacouple and memphisbelle:

I've been on Advair for several weeks now and I've noticed that my PMS is definitely worse than usual. I don't know if the corticosteroid is the culprit, but I'm very suspicious. I'm curious what changes you've been experiencing. Thanks!

I've also felt some of these side effects, but my most common is exhaustion/drowsiness. Has anyone experienced this?

Recently, I was diagnosed with asthma and was put on advair 250/50. Although it helped my breathing, about two weeks into the dosage, I had an experience where my face became numb and tingled, like spikes, and in addition my lips became numb and also would tighten on me without me doing it. It actually made it slightly difficult to talk as I had to work harder to move my lips. After talking to my doctor, he placed me on flovent and told me to stop taking the advair immediately. In addition, I am on clarinex and was given an inhaler (Combivent) which I have only used twice. The last time I took the combivent was 2 days before the reaction, so I seem to agree with the doc that it was the advair. However, i do notice at times that I become slightly anxious, and my hands, espescially the left one, seem to almost tingly at times. While it is not paralizing, it is somewhat uncomfortable. I am assuming it is just a reaction to either the advair still or the flovent. Anyway hope this helps, and if this sounds familiar to anyone, feel free to respond

[This message has been edited by gsacs (edited 07-30-2003).]

[This message has been edited by gsacs (edited 07-30-2003).]

I am in my 40s and recently after a period of severe cough and wheezing (which I never had before) I was diagnosed with Asthma. Doc said most likely I have had it all my life and learned to cope with it (it must not have been severe, since I never had an asthma attack). He put me on a Sample Advair 250/50 about 3 months ago. After a week I started feeling like superman, going up and down 5 flights of stairs without any significant hard breathing. All my allergy symptoms also disappeared. No runny nose, no itchy eyes, no sneezing. I even stopped my allergy medicine (Zyrtec) the day I started Advair in the midst of the pollen season in Maryland, USA and still there was no sign of allergy (for 1 month) until Doc reduced the Advair to Prescription 100/25 one month into the treatment and things started going back to days before Advair again. So Doc put me back on prescription Advair 250/50. Things got a little better for a short while, but now (3 months into treatment) I am coughing with flem, whizzing a bit, sneezing, have a bit of hoarseness (despite gargling after each use), and generally feel in a daze. I am seeing my Doctor in 3 days. I can only guess two things though. 1: that I am becoming allergic to Advair and feeling the side effects after long term use, or 2: there is a difference between the Sample Advairs that Doctor gives you in the office to start your treatment and the prescription Advair you buy from the Pharmacy!!!
------------------
Dan

[This message has been edited by motamedd (edited 08-22-2003).]

[This message has been edited by motamedd (edited 08-23-2003).]

I recently started using advair and have noticed significant weight gain. Has anyone else had this problem?

I have not gained weight, but I cannot loose it any more under the successful diet I had going on. I started Atkins about 8 months ago and lost 25 lbs in 5 months. The last three months that I have been on Advair I have not lost a pound yet!!! Could it be related, I am not sure, but it makes me think…

Now regarding an update on my case: I went back to Doctor and he diagnosed me with bronchitis. He said most likely the cause of my recent cough is seasonal and now that Ragweed is out (and I am allergic to it) I have developed the cough which later led to bronchitis. He asked me to continue with the 250/50 Advair and he put me on antibiotics. He asked me to take my allergy medicine (Zyrtec or Allegra) as well. It’s been 5 days and I feel a bit better, but wheezing still persists. I have not yet discounted the idea that Advair may not be working for me anymore. I'll just have to wait a bit longer and see if things get back to where they are supposed to be.

Has anybody heard about the product called BreatheEasy Saltpipe? I found it on the following link: http://www.thanedirect.co.uk/products/beauty/pipe/pipe.php

Does anybody have any experiences with it?

These are some things I have noticed since I have started taking advair, they maay be symptoms, but I'm not totally sure:
Joint pain, mostly in the ankles
Mouth ulcers
blood in nasal secretions
weight gain

My son has been taking Advair for 3 months and has developed a facial tick (eyes) since he started the Advair. Anyone with a similar problem?

Hello everybody. I wonder if anybody has suffered with a burning pain in the chest when using Advair. My husband has been using it for about 2 months ( just on and off ), he cant belive how will he can breath now but after any mild excersise ( walking ) he gets a burning pain in this lungs. He produces extra saliva and it actually makes him feel sick we have to have a sit down until it passes. Any ideas? Thank you very much.

hello, 5 years ago i was told i have chronic acute asmtha i had always been on the inhaler albutrol and predizone from time to time anywhere from 40 mg to 80 mgs well 2 weeks ago i caught phemunia and know they put me on advair, and albutrol nebuzier treatments every 1-4 hours . the doctors are saying the phemunia damaged my lungs severlly. i have a long list of asmtha history. my mother has had asmtha for over 30 years and is worried history is repeating itself. my doctor doesnt think i am every going to get much better than know. right know i am on 60 mg preizone, albutrol inhaler every 4 hours, convient every 6 hours, and albutrol nebizer treatment normally every 2 hours and advair once in morning and once at night. plus the antobtic i/m on. the doctors say the antobtic is working and the predizone is doing its job so why can i still barely breathe even with all this medicine. i have 3 kids to take care of this is unfair to them to have there mother depending on med to just live because without them i go blue in the lips turn really pale and clopse from not being able to breathe has anyone been this bad with asmtha before besides my mother her's is this bad and always has been. is there anything i can do to improve my lungs excises or something. i can't even climb my stairs without having a attack . i feel down my stairs this morning due to not being able to breathe everything went white and feel. really hurt know.. if didnt already.. well any help would be appreciated.
frusted
sherry

I suffer from anxiety and depression. My doctor increased my dose of Zoloft. Zoloft has always worked with me when increased. This time it did not. At the same time my allergist put me on advair. I had to keep increasing the dose until I was on 500/50 twice a day. My anxiety was worse that ever. I never thought that advair could be the problem. But, yes, I was very anxious and nervous, unable to relax ,even when taking Xanax, and my heart was racing. I am going off of Advair even though it helped my asthma. Don't stop cold turkey. I had muscle and joint stiffnes because of that. am weaning myself off of it now.

Becky

I have been using Advair for over a year.I still have a light cough.Is it becasue of the advair????:confused:

Advair is great stuff! I've been on it for 2 years now and the only side effect I ever have is a scratchy throat. It works so good, I hardly ever have to use my albuterol inhaler! The only thing is you have to remember to rinse your mouth really good after you take it because that's what will give you thrush. I always rinse well and I've never had any problems.

for emc I think it was who complained of tired/drowziness-I was exhausted when I was not breathing adequately. I thought I was doing pretty well and a dr listened to my lungs and said he could tell I was working hard to get enough air and that would tire me out. Been on advair about 3 months- got my first spot of thrush and have had momentary discomfort in my throat that passes otherwise my chronic cough is gone and sob is better, I take 100/50. I suppose your body can adjust to a medicine and people may have success for a while and then have to change and other people are just fine. I think a lot of it has to do with overall health, other conditions, other meds, etc. I have a tendency toward anxiety and depression and I was worse while having some marital issues but as soon as we made ssome headway it went away so I can't blame the med.

Josephinefloral,
What dosage of Advair are you on? A chronic cough is my main asthma symptom. I have been on Advair for several years. I started out at 100/50, spent a while at 250/50, cough flared up and I went to 500/50 then back to 250/50. Currently I have been at 500/50 since January because it flared up and took months to get back under control. I go back in August to reevaluate.

Also, I also found out that I have acid reflux that also caused a chronic cough. In order to suppress the cough, I had to get the asthma AND the reflux under control. Two PPI's per day helped. You might want to evaluate if you have any symptoms of reflux as well. The cough was my main symtom of the reflux also--never had heartburn.

I have those tingle needles feeling in my hands & forearms.I take advair 100/50 for a week.had to stop 200/50 for same side effects. breathing is great,side effects waking me up many times a night.is this damaging nerves or just cofusing them?(yes I have called Dr. for appt.)

I started on 250/50 advair friday and all I want to do is sleep, I feel fine otherwise, except for bouts of diarhea, and the headache eased up a bit.

I was wondering why it would make me sleepy all the time, and I was wondering and hoping that would ease up.

RR