Aspirin-induced gastritis and gastrointestinal bleeding

[Thick_Blood]

I haven’t taken an 81 mg coated aspirin every day for 18 years. Last month my doctor noticed that my iron level had dipped down to 16 from 64 in previous years. She suggested that I was having internal bleeding.

Over the last couple years I’ve lived with stomach pain. Often just a two out of 10 pain level but it always was there, and sometimes 10 out of 10 with cramping. Sometimes i took painkillers just to deal with my stomach pain.

At her suggestion I had an endoscopy three weeks ago. We discovered that I was having gastrointestinal bleeding. The doctor suggested that I stop the aspirin therapy. My stomach pain is now gone and I’ll have new blood tests in three weeks and I’m hopeful that my iron level will be back to normal.

I know many of you take aspirin, so I just thought I would share my experience. There are a lot of studies outlining the risks of taking aspirin daily. I didn’t know. The below one is from the national Institute of health.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6499/

[Star13]

Good that you discovered your bleeding but what are you now taking for your anticoagulation?

[Thick_Blood in reply to Star13]

I was already on an enoxaprin sodium. The baby aspirin was in addition to that, because at one point in the past my toes were turning purple.

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Thank you for that information and I am so glad you are now feeling so much better.I am on daily aspirin and have been since my first stroke 26 years ago. I was made aware of the risks and given (and still take) an proton pump inhibitor tablet to hopefully contra the aspirin. 🙏

[Thick_Blood in reply to HollyHeski]

I am also on a proton pump, inhibitor and have been for many years. But despite that I had constant pain from the ulcer caused by the aspirin.

[bookish in reply to HollyHeski]

Hi, I hope that you are taking vit B12 as well to offset the PPI. Best wishes

[MaryF Administrator]

Glad your GP got to the bottom of it, I have had this with one family member, so far I am ok on Aspirin, but always on a full stomach. I hope you continue to do well on the new regime. MaryF

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, I had this with one of my relatives, they had to stop the Aspirin, however I appear to be fine on it as do other family members. MaryF

[13131958]

After my Open Heart Surgery my specialist told to come off Aspirin 81 it was effecting my INR levels. I take the occasional Tylenol now.