is there a natural aspirin alternative?

Hi,

Aspirin didn't suit me so I got put onto clopidogrel as antiplatelet for AF, and am convinced this is making me more short of breath, (I have emphysema), so Im trying to find a safe and suitable alternative. I cant afford natto etc as on Income Support, If anyone has info on supplements or similar with trials and doses etc it would be most welcome.

thanks.

Carole

[BobD Volunteer]

Aspirin is of little value in stroke prevention for AF anyway. Anti-platelets are not anticoagulants which is what you need.

Bob

[Dave1961]

The following is an article I found which does a great job describing the difference between anti-platelets and anticoagulants, the different kinds of clots and also natural substances which have antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant properties.

files.www.clotconnect.org/p...

I won' comment on their effectiveness but I have taken fish oil for near on 20 years and recently started Vit E and Vit D both of which have these properties.

I am a definite supporter of alternative therapies esp. considering that they are often the base used to develop drugs and have a lot less side effects BUT each individual has to make their own decision.

[bonnie54]

I have read that Seabuckthorn oil, which has omega 7, is a good blood thinner, but like most supplements, it is not cheap.

I am taking it for other benefits, but I hope it may also help in that way as I stopped taking aspirin some years ago when I heard the research findings about its lack of effect.

[AnticoagulateNow]

Speechless!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

let's creep quietly away shall we.?!

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

nope. I will.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

You know there was a time we thought blood letting by leaches was barbaric but I was surprised to learn it was used on a neighbour of mine in a modern hospital, with the desired affect!

Natural remedies have been used for far longer than pharmaceuticals, unfortunately the only 'research' has been observational over hundreds of years. Whilst most maybe palliative rather than efficacious - food is also medicine.

We want certainty so we use probability, maybe there just isn't any certainty?

[Hidden in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

That's your shortest post ever

[CDreamer]

Why antiplatelet and not anticoagulant?

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

that's what Dr prescribed.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Dr's don't always get it right. Did you ask why antiplatlet not anticoagulant? There could be a really good reason and it could be there isn't and your GP is out of date with current NICE guidelines.

[Polski]

I found the following article, which indicates that anticoagulants are not suitable for everybody, depending on what other heart problems the person may have. Also that antiplatelets should not be combined with anticoagulants:

medscape.com/viewarticle/82...

Also, some of the drugs used to control AF seem to have breathlessness as a possible side-effect.

There is presumably some reason for being prescribed an antiplatelet rather than an anticoagulant, but it may be worth seeking a second opinion to be sure that this is the best way forward, or asking for an appointment with a cardiologist or EP perhaps.

[EngMac]

In the reference noted above by Dave1961 are the following statements:

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, to the legs and arms, the organs in the abdomen, and the brain. Blood clots which form in arteries lead to stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), heart attack, peripheral arterial clot and gangrene, or infarcts in the internal organs (e.g. kidney, spleen, intestine).

Veins are the blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart from the extremities, the abdomen, and the brain. Blood clots which form in the deep veins of the body lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Anti-platelet = potentially most effective for arterial clot prevention

Anticoagulant = potentially most effective for venous clot prevention

Fibrinolytic = aids in dissolving clots, potentially both arterial and venous

Dietary supplement category - Possible clot prevention properties

Salicylate-containing - anti-platelet

Coumarin-containing - anticoagulant

Vitamin E - anti-platelet, anticoagulant

Vitamin D - anticoagulant

Fish oil (omega 3 fatty acid) - anti-platelet, fibrinolytic

Garlic - anti-platelet

Nattokinase - fibrinolytic

Chocolate -anti-platelet

Evening prime rose oil - anti-platelet, anticoagulant

Lumbrokinase - fibrinolytic

It is my understanding that AF has the potential to cause arterial clots. Many people in this forum encourage anticoagulant use and so do doctors. If the statements above are true and anticoagulants are recommended for AF, am I to assume the blood in the atria is considered "vein" blood and not "artery" blood even though it is "artery" blood that causes strokes?

[CDreamer in reply to EngMac]

Interesting post EngMac.... Mmmm........ Needs more reading and research and asking of questions before comment.

[Bolander]

There is an antiplatelet drug called Ticagrelor whch I was prescribed when Clopidogrell caused a nasty rash.

[Hidden]

Thankyou. x