I recently spent 3 days in the hospital newly diagnosed with asthma at the age of 49. I was given solu-medrol IV, Levaquin and albuterol and atrovent nebulizers until I was well enough to go home. I completed one pak of the medrol dose pak with no problems. In addition to the rescue inhaler of Albuterol (which I've only used once in 2 weeks), I was given the Advair diskus 500 to use 2 x daily. The problem I'm having is horrible cramping to every part of me----hands, fingers, toes, legs, and even AWFUL cramps to my back and ribs areas (which to me is a strange place to have them). The pains are so strong that they make me feel like I'll pass out. Today while watering in the yard, I got cramps to my hand so bad that I let loose of the hose and my fingers were spasming so tight that I had to use my other hand to "loosen" them.
It didn't even occur to me to suspect the Advair until today so I did a search and found cramping as a side effect---not more specific. I called my doctor and could only speak to a "nurse" who was no help at all. I would like to know if anyone else has had these horrific cramps from Advair and did you just stop taking it? I have an appt to see my doctor in 2 weeks, but I can't take the pain so I want to discontinue it now.

I believe I have heard also that cramping is a side affect. I am 49 and was diagnosed with asthma at 44. I was put on Advair, but the 250/50, which is not quite as strong as your dose. I seem to have more joint pain and have tried to lower my dose to once a day. My GP said that is ok, as long as my breathing is good. However, since this is allergy season, I have had to use it twice a day. If the nurse you talked to didn't seem to answer your question to your liking, try calling a pharmacist. They are usually really knowledgable about medications and side affects. Maybe you could reduce your dosage to once a day like I did as long as your asthma is controlled.
Good Luck,
Cindy

I don't know very much about Advair, but fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as Levaquin and Cipro) can definitely cause what you are describing. Side effects from this class of drugs can appear weeks, months and sometimes even years after treatment with them has been stopped. These side effects can also persist for years or become permanent in some cases.

Again, I'm not sure about the Advair, but I strongly believe (being a long-term victim of what fluoroquinolones are capable of) that you should look into the Levaquin being the cause of your symptoms, especially if you end up stopping the Advair and these symptoms continue. There's a whole lot of information out there on these drugs; I hope I'm allowed to say that on this forum, as I don't want to get in trouble with the mods.

Take care.

Thanks for the input! I only suspect the Advair since this is the 1st time I've ever taken it. I've had Levaquin before with no problems. But like you say, if the problems stop when I stop taking it (like I plan to do NOW), then I'll know for sure. What I do know is that I can't go 3-4 hours without enduring strong, painful cramping to some part of my body, and I can't take it anymore.

""I would like to know if anyone else has had these horrific cramps from Advair""

I dont get cramps per say
from the Advair

However, I would describe what I have
as a feeling of (pressure like) dull acheness
on both sides of rib cage (below bra line)
More pronounced when I turn & twist my body side ways
I believe almost like an arthritis type feeling
Iv'e had it every day for over 8 months.
Dont know if its from the Advair, Asthma, etc.

As far as cramping goes
I get (charlie horse) leg cramps from working out
mostly.
cross my fingers
I know the charlie horse leg cramping is not from the Advair
I had them before I ever had asthma or took Advair

""And did you just stop taking it?""

I still take my Advair even though I have the above chest/rib cage symptoms
But I am going to the doctors to inquire what to do about this (pressure like) dull achiness.

For all I know it could be arthritis, asthma constriction, Advair side effect,
,etc.
Who knows.

Your welcome, hopefully stopping the Advair will help you, as fluoroquinolone ADR's can be a terrible nightmare. Just so you know, there are many people who take quinolones repeatedly without any obvious ill effects, but then they'll have a severe reaction to them following a treatment later on, so it's always a possibility. Some other signs of an adverse reaction to fluoroquinolones to look out for are fatigue, memory loss, depersonalization, muscle twitching, and neuropathic pains (among many, many others).

Good luck and take care.

Well the day I wrote the first post is was the last day I took the Advair.....and I haven't had one cramp since!! I called my doctor to let him know I wasnt' taking it and he said he had never heard of cramping as a side effect for it, but went ahead and prescribed me flovent instead. I think it's similar to advair without the salmeterol. I have to say I did have more coughing without the advair diskus, but those darned cramping/spasms were just too awful to tolerate. I checked on Medications.com and looked up side effects to advair on the forums. Lo and behold there were numerous people reporting the same problems with cramps.

Sometimes I think doctors don't like to admit side affects to some drugs. After all, the drug companies and the doctors are buddies! They look out for one another! I have tried Flovent in the past. Maybe I should switch also. Has anyone ever had side affects from Flovent?

Do a search on Flovent, I did and didn't find even a third of the adverse effects that Advair had. Don't get me wrong...it (advair) worked great as far as respiratory goes. Unfortunately for me anyhow, the side effects were too much. I still haven't had another cramp since stopping it.

I took Advair 100/50 for about a year and was doing good then I started getting panic attacks and my left hand shook.My dr. took me off the Advair in march and put me on Asmanex 220 and with all the tree pollen I'm not doing very well.Has anyone had good results with Asmanex?