Aspirin usage

[Flower]

At my latest pump clinic I was told that current thinking is that taking daily aspirin doesn't offer significant cardiovascular protection and I should stop taking it. I have taken aspirin for about 20 years along with Lansoprazole to protect my stomach, I was initially prescribed it with statins but stopped those years back as they made me unwell.

I'm happy to stop taking aspirin if it isn't of any benefit but just wanted to find out if any others on here have taken it long term and have recently been advised to stop taking it. Thanks.

 

[AJLang]

I originally took it for the diabetes but after the retinal vein occlusion (blood clot) in my eye was told that I also needed the aspirin to reduce the risk of it happening in my other eye.

 

[Flower]

Thanks Amanda, I'm worried that because of the other complications I have there may be benefits to me beyond cardiovascular protection. I saw a new consultant and want to make sure it is the right thing to do as no one has ever suggested I stop taking it up until now.

 

[robert@fm]

I was on aspirin for some years, but due to having Stage 4 CKD I was switched to clopidogrel about 2-3 years ago. It offers the same kind of protection (which I need, having already suffered a stroke), but is not an NSAID so is safer for kidney patients.

 

[Northerner]

I was put on aspirin at diagnosis because they thought I'd had a heart attack (I hadn't, it turned out). I stopped taking it after a few months as I suspected it was upsetting my stomach and I remember reading research that said it was pretty much 50/50 whether it actually did more harm than good, due to potential stomach problems it could cause (I was also taking omeprazole to counter the nausea produced by the aspirin!). I did discuss it with my GP, who agreed that there was unlikely to be any appreciable benefit in my case.I appreciate, however, that it can be helpful for others.

 

[Flower]

Thanks Robert and Northerner. I had dropped into Stage 3B CKD at my last clinic appointment with quite a significant drop so it could well be related to that - I hadn't linked those two things!

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Amanda, I'm worried that because of the other complications I have there may be benefits to me beyond cardiovascular protection. I saw a new consultant and want to make sure it is the right thing to do as no one has ever suggested I stop taking it up until now.

Flower that was exactly my thinking when I wrote my reply. However as Robert has written there is CKD to take into account. It's certainly not an easy decision for you x

 

[Austin Mini]

I visited my doctor for a prescription review Jan 2015 and asked to be taken off Asprin. He agreed I didnt need it and I have been off Asprin for 15 months now and I am feeling much better thank you. My breathing is much improved so much so that I am now Asthma free. I wish I was never put on them in the first place.

 

[grovesy]

I was taken off Asprin must be more than 2 years ago as my then GP retired , then. He took me off it as he said current thinking was there was no benefit.

 

[trophywench]

I'd stopped taking them years ago 'diabetes-wise' - but then had to go back on em when I get intermittent claudication, if me arteries 'ave 'ardened, makes sense to try and thin my blood down a bit really. Haven't noticed it being noticeably thinner, eg when stabbing me fingers, still doesn't want to give me more than I need! However - instant heartburn, which then soon morphed into acid reflux - repulsive, vile and scary. So I stopped taking them after another few days of it continuing to happen, let my tum settle and went back to the drawing board - sorry! - Docs, and got Clopidogrel instead.

That was in December - and so far (said she clutching top of birch desk) no indigestion. But they stuck Omeprazole on the repeats anyway 'in case' so the 'first' box, which I did have dispensed, is still there on the shelf, unopened.

 

[Northerner]

I took Clopidogrel for a year after my diagnosis, with no side-effects 🙂

 

[Flower]

Thank you 🙂 I definitely need to know what benefits aspirin might be bringing to my other complications rather than just focusing on cardiovascular. I will ask about Clopidogrel as an alternative as I've not heard of it before - especially bearing CKD in mind. It's never straight forward with diabetes in tow 🙄

 

[malturn]

I am on aspirin and have been for 3 1/2 years since i was diagnosed with heart problems which resulted in a mild heart attack in Jan 2013. At which time I had a stent fitted and was put onto clopidogrel. The only problem I had with the clopidogrel was my wife had to carry a handbag full of plasters with her every where we went🙄 as the slightest nick or cut would'nt stop bleeding Luckily i was only on it for 12 months but i am still on the aspirin and Nicorandil for Aortic Stenosis which is monitored every 12 months, and hasen't got any worse for the last 2 years. My next test will be in July so fingers crossed.

 

[Cleo]

Hi Flower, I appreciate my situation is different to yours, but I'm 18 weeks pregnant and I've been on aspirin (baby dose-75mg daily) from about 7 weeks pregnant and have to take it until the end. Same was the case in my last pregnancy. The Obstrician said it can help prevent pre eclampsia. As I said the fact that I'm pregnant means the context is different to yours but thought I'd mention it anyway.
X
Ps my BP was fine throughout my last pregnancy and has been fine up until now as well