Warnings over asthma meds

I have been suffering from Asthma since I was 10 and now I am almost 40.I have been on advair (1 dose per day) for about 6-8 yrs and I am doing fine.However ,I have noticed that If I miss the dosage I feel weaker and feel some pain in my back as if my lungs are hurting. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

I have been taking Advair for 8 years. I t has worked wonders with my asthmatic symptoms. However, I have gained weight, have easily bruised skin, foggy mind, mood swings, panic attacks. Ques: Long term effects of taking Advair so long? What other options do I have?

Have had asthma for over 75years. In the late 1930’s, treatment (when not in the hospital) was a sulphur-like powder that came in a rectangular tin. You took off the top, poured some in the top & lit it. It smoked like mad – you inhaled the smoke, and coughed your head off. Tough, but it brought up stuff and you could breathe easier.

In the mid 1940’s an aerosol was developed called Asthma-Nephrine. It was Epinephrine in an inhalator aerosol. We had to write away & order it from a manufacturer in Buffalo, NY. I think it’s a synthetic adrenaline, but I’m not a chemist, pharmacist or Doctor, so don’t take my word on that. This changed my life. I was able to take gym in school, participate in Scouts, hunt, hike, etc. For the better part of 60 years, this over-the-counter medication was my life-saver. The manufacturer changed, the name changed, but I was always able to find it.

Somewhere about the end of the century, Albuterol came along. It was supposed to do the same thing, but I found at times the Epinephrine was quicker and longer acting. The Doctors stated they preferred I not use it, but could not give me any good reason beyond ‘the dosage may not be as accurate’. While I sometimes use the new FHA propelled albuterol inhaler, it is not as effective as the CFC propelled model. Further, one cannot tell if it’s full or empty, or whether you are getting a dose or not.(Thank you FHA!) Now I find the FHA proposes to remove the Epinephrine inhalator aerosol from the over-the-counter marker in 2010! Serious mistake! But that’s our Government’s history.

Epinephrine inhalator aerosol is currently sold under the name of Primatene Mist, and is available in most drug stores.

In 2002, my Doctor put me on Advair 250/50, but after several months with no improvement, I stopped taking it. I eventually went to a specialist who put me on Advair 500/50 on July 24, 2007 (1½ years ago). The results were astounding. My use of Albuterol/ Epinephrine went down from 2½ containers/month to 7 > 10 months/container! The only side effect is hoarseness in my voice at times. It’s better to breathe. Read about
Epinephrine at the following sites:

http://www.respiratoryreviews.com/nov00/rr_no

http://www.wemsi.org/epinephrine.html

Has anyone tried a salt inhaler as a replacement for prescription inhalers? I would like to get off of Advair (Dr. now wanting me to try other prescription inhalers). The testimonials for the "saltpipe" as it is called seem good.