Asthma and Advair
 

I have a specific question about those forum members (or if you know someone) where at one point for your asthma you were taking Advair and after some time, usually about a year it either stopped being effective or actually seemed to make the asthma worse. In my case after about 7 or 8 months made my asthma worse and had to stop taking it. My lung specialist thought it was all in my head. Since then I've found one or two people who had a similar experience as I. Generally it is a good medication that helps the majority of asthma sufferers but there is no acknowledgment from medical professionals it can make symptoms worse. I would like to hear what people think about this.

I have used Advair for mild EIA. I took it last year but only when cycling for 3+ hours (as directed by my lung doc) as shorter rides don't bother me. Towards the end of the season it stopped working for me but I believe the problem was that I had the discus for 3+ months and the medication was past its expiration date. I was only using Advair for longer rides so one discus lasted me most of the season. I now use a different medication for my long rides with no problems.

That is pretty interesting. I never heard anyone using Advair that way. I guess it makes sense as in addition to a steroid it has a long lasting broncho dilator. (9-12 hour version of Albuterol). You are probably right about why it stopped working for you. Once you open the package I think it has to be used in 45 days. A simpler approach is to just get the Salmuterol (long lasting broncho dilator) by itself. I think it is a spray, much cheaper and probably has a 6-9 month shelf life. What medication are you now using for your longer rides?

I now use Foradil. It only contains the long lasting dilator. So far it has worked great.

If you're interested, here's an Advair coupon for 10 bucks off.

I have had a very negative experience with Advair. I was on the drug for over 8 years, and have switched to a different inhaler in the last two months.

While on Advair I have had issues with:

Depression
Anxiety
Bone Loss (increase in number of cavities)
Visions problems (my prescription doubled, swollen eyes, micro abrasions)
Severe eczema
May have arthritis, waiting to go to a specialist
Weight gain, 10lbs a year

I would give up bikes, beer, steak and women before I would go on Advair again. At first Advair was a gift from god, I could breathe, being around pets go outside etc… Overtime it was not worth the side effects. I would try and speak to my asthma specialist about what I thought were side effects, but he would always dispel them. I had to make a change, everything told that I had to get off Advair. I was able to decrease my dosage over time, and one day just called and begged my doctor to switch inhalers.

What other people say about Advair side effects:

http://www.medications.com/se/advair-hfa

I am now on Qvar. It been almost 2 months, it’s like I have woken up from a nightmare. I am happy, no mood swings etc… Old friends and family have commented on the change in my outlook on life and my demeanor.

I would listen to my body and my lungs. Doctors and not god and are not always right. My asthma doctor and I have been working together for over fifteen years; I have check-ups every six months and it still took me begging and almost crying to get off of Advair.

After my Advair rant, there are some other factors as to way you think advair is not working for you: what time are your attacks, when are you taking Advair, what about stress in your life, are there new triggers in your life etc…

Hope this helps