Well....since I don't have insurance and can't afford them........I only get 14 day samples from my doc.........but I think (know) if I was paying full price (even with insurance)..........I would definitely notify GSK and let them know....and prolly the pharmacy as well................sometimes "things" are just defective:(:(

mikkar, for the life of me, I can't figure out how a person could ever know if they were getting the dosage or not, since there's no taste or odor or feeling when inhaled. So how could you know? I'm not being a smart you-know-what, I'm truly puzzled.

My experience hasn't been with Advair but with Spiriva, where you insert a capsule into the inhaler, inhale, and when it rattles, you know you're getting the medicine. One month there were 4 different occasions in which there was no rattle. So I called the company and she spent a lot of time with me going over stuff I already knew, such as how to operate the gizmo, how to clean it, etc. As far as I remember, there was never any apology for it not working. And since she took my name and address, I thought I might at least receive some replacements for the defective capsules, but I have never received anything whatsoever from those people. After that I ordered from ADC.

There are times I can taste a powder-like substance after using Advair. I can remember one time I used to the diskus for about 5 days and didn't realize it was empty. I started feeling strange and couldn't put my head around it, then figured out it was because I wasn't getting medicine from the diskus. I now make a point to check the counter on it. When I mentioned it my doctor, he just shook his head, patted me on my back and said to be more careful. Gee, thanks, doc.

Imarighter - if you have had no experience with Advair, how do you know anything about it? There just so happens to be a white powdery discharge from the disk! I can taste it, and have had the white powder around the mouth piece!!!

If you think about it, there has to be something in the disk besides kust AIR.......duh

First of all I want to say the hostility coming across is in your response is perhaps misguided anger, frustration or something. Sincerely, I will pray for you and hope that you feel better. I know a thing or two about Advair. Been on it for four years and I have questioned somedays if I've received my dose. Sure the white powder is there and I do check. This is a 'no no' however, I've taken another dose somedays because I truly believed nothing or a reduced dose was administered. Somedays I can taste it, then other days, nothing. Today I took my dose, I tasted it and within minutes, my SOB disappeared. I had a rough night and I felt so much better, within minutes. GOD Bless

Mikkar, I'm not trying to start a fight here. Apparently I offended you and that certainly wasn't my intention.

I didn't say I've had no experience with Advair. I've been using the Advair diskus since May and have just never seen any powdery substance or tasted anything.

Jnita I've done that also and I make sure to check the disc counter. I made that mistake many moons ago, then felt better after opening a fresh brand spanking new capsule, then taking a puff. This is why when I don't feel better after my dose and I can barely taste the Advair, I question that dose. GOD Bless

Up until just the other day..I was shaking the Advair thingy before I used it.....thought I read somewhere you were suppose to................WRONG.........well at least I don't see that anywhere..........LOL.

I often taste the powdery stuff....and I have also used up the whole thing and didn't realize it..................but I don't have a lot of it around, so I am trying to get every last drop............LOL

(samples only have 14:(

~~~bear

I called the 800 number about the Advair, and they told me how to test it. It was not working properly and I was not getting the right amount of the dosage. Fortunately, they are going to replace the disk and I have to return the malfuntioning one.

And yes, yvegas I did get offended by Imarighter - saying there is no taste or odor or feeling, because she is so wrong. Maybe she doesn't sense these sensations, but I do - she just made me feel like I didn't know what in the heck I was talking about.

Mikkar............that was good of them............hopefully they may also send you an extra one, so a coupon for a free one...............or some samples:):)

For me....w/o insurance.................it would be $287 a month.............just can't afford that......and don't qualify for their "discount" stuff:(:(.........BUT...I might next year:)

I can't imagine trying to pay for all the meds I need w/o insurance. Between the COPD and type 2 Diabetis it would be impossible. Sounds like you have a very caring Dr. debbear. Your are fortunate in that way.....my heart goes out to all of you who have no insurarnce.

My hubby as several "things" as well...............type2 diabetes is one of them............our pharmacy bill runs about $500 a month right now......and several of our pills are generics:(:(...............we just can't afford to add another $3-400 to that.................:(

~~~bear

Mikkar, I have been using the Advair Disk for sometime, and rarely to I think I didn't get the dosage. When I use it, I feel the medicine passing my tongue as I inhale. As far as your feeling the company should replace it I agree, but I would start with your pharmacy and see what they recommend. -- Regards, Bill