migraine after stopping aspirin - British Heart Fou...

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migraine after stopping aspirin

Littleeak profile image
12 Replies

My son had heart surgery in May & stopped taking daily aspirin a week ago. He has had a lot of migraines ever since. Has anyone else had this problem?

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Littleeak profile image
Littleeak
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12 Replies
Blackcatsooty profile image
Blackcatsooty

In a word….YES.Blood thinners such as aspirin or clopidogrel seem to reduce the frequency of my migraines. I take clopidogrel and migraines are now a rarity, eg 1 every six months. Wow what a

benefit !

When I had heart surgery I had to stop clopidogrel and the migraines were daily. Soon returned to clopidogrel and migraines stopped.

I had my first migraine of 2022 yesterday, reminded me what a pain or nuisance these migraines are

Best wishes

Sooty

Littleeak profile image
Littleeak in reply to Blackcatsooty

Thank you for your reply.

Before surgery he used to get migraines every couple of months, had even less whilst taking aspirin but since stopping aspirin......

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

Yes is my answer. But why stop aspirin?

Littleeak profile image
Littleeak in reply to gilreid1

He was told to three months post surgery to repair mitral valve.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

I am not medically trained but find that a little unusual. I stopped for one week prior to my surgery then straight back on them. I would ask the question.

Littleeak profile image
Littleeak in reply to gilreid1

He wasn't on aspirin before but I'm nagging him to speak to his GP! He has got an appointment with his cardiologist next week though.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1 in reply to Littleeak

Yes make sure he asks. Everyone I know takes aspirin after OHS. Good luck wishing your son well.

Hello :-)

I am surprised they have taken him of Aspirin this is something they usual keep you on for life at a small dose

I suffer with migraines but when I had my first heart attack I was put on what they call one of their gold standard blood thinners which mine was Ticagrelor

After having regular migraines with aura it was like a miracle had happened my migraines stopped I was on this med a year and a half and thought they were cured at last !

When I came of it after a year and a half I am still on 75mg Aspirin a day but my migraines are back and I would say twice as bad so I believe that because the Ticagrelor was really thinning my blood out this is what cured me for a year and a half but you can not usually stop on that long term so now I am back to suffering with them to and trying to work with my Doctor on this one what we do next

Aspirin depending on the dose helps keep the blood thinner which helps the blood vessels in your head which can stop migraines as it is the blood vessels swelling and why your Son no doubt is now suffering with them again because he is not taking Aspirin

I would get your Son to make an appointment with his Doctor and also ask why he is no longer on Aspirin or does he need to go back on it maybe ? :-) x

Hi, Yes similar, I wasn't much older than your son when I first started with migraines, I was eventually having them 2 or 3 times a week without fail. Stopped overnight when I had my first valve replacement and prescribed Aspirin. Started again 18 years later a few months prior to my second and third surgeries. Again they stopped, this time I was on Warfarin. I'm now coming up 9 years migraine free.

I came to the conclusion many years ago that the body works in strange ways, whether or not it's been the Aspirin and Warfarin that's kept them at bay, who knows, I'm just glad I don't get them anymore.

Please see link below.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Littleeak profile image
Littleeak

Thank you all for your replies.Apparently the surgeon told him to stop the aspirin. I have suggested he mention it to the cardiologist next week.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss

No it’s been the opposite with me my migraines are far less after heart surgery and taking aspirin. If he hasn’t I would suggest he discussed this with his doctor .

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

I suffered migraines in my 30s and 40s and used to carry around chewable aspirin tablets. They were the only thing that would provide relief. I do wonder whether a 75mg maintenance dose would have stopped them occurring. I certainly rarely suffer from any head pains now I'm on daily aspirin.

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