Daily aspirin to prevent migraine with aura?

[chicolini]

Anyone have any experience using aspirin to prevent aura migraine? The theory is that aura is triggered by 'cortical spreading depression', a wave of activity that spreads across the brain over about 20 minutes, and is responsible for the visual and other aura experience. And that the CSD is caused by microembolism (tiny clots) in the blood, so by taking aspirin, which removes any microembolism, you dont get the CSD, no aura and no headaches! It's obviously not as simplistic as that and I may have some facts muddled, but it's complex territory to read through. I found research supporting this and so started on low dose aspirin (37.5 daily or 70mg every 2nd day) three months ago. That is pretty much the lowest dose to inhibit platelet function. And I have not had a single aura episode or migraine symptom since, whereas I was having them on average weekly, with subsequent queasiness and lingering headache for up to 3 days at a time. I really did not think this would work, but so far it has. My only problem now is that even that low dose is causing me stomach trouble and doc is saying I should discontinue the aspirin, or be prepared to take large doses of omeprazole. . To be honest, Id rather have gastritis than migraine. Anyone else take daily low dose aspirin for migraine prevention? The articles I have read say that this works only with aura migraine.

[wonkydonky]

There must be thousands of people taking low dose aspirin as prevention medication so I will be really interested to read any replies

[Frogx in reply to wonkydonky]

Since started taking 100mg of aspirin (coated) daily I've been 18 months without aurora migraine. Until today that is, I wonder what the largest safe dose of daily aspirin is, any idea?

[chicolini in reply to Frogx]

Hi frogx since l posted 3 yrs ago, l have had the occasional aura but nothing like it used to be before aspirin. Also my gastric thing cleared up so l continued with the aspirin with no problems since. Your 100mg a day is enough for the purpose of inhibiting the microembolism they say triggers migraine aura, according to the studies l have read. I only take 100 every 2nd day, I wouldn't increase that dose without discussing with a doc who has a good understanding of the use of aspirin for this. You may get the occasional aura, no med ever seems to be perfect eh !

[Hidden]

Yes. It was recommended by one of the speakers, experts on migraine, during the last World Migraine Summit precisely as an aura preventative. I listened to her talk and she just dropped this information in as if it was a well established fact. My daughter's neurologist agreed. But he prescribed something else, a blood thinning medication, I forget the name, with presumably similar effects.

[troy04]

Taking Aspirin works for certain people - did not work for me, but I am glad it helps you.

Regarding omeprazole - I think your doctor suspects you may develop ulcers and there are not many treatment available if ulcers are caused by medicines such as Aspirin or NSAID. You have to reduce acid in stomach by PPI medicines such as Omeprazole and give the organ a chance to heal itself.

[Theafleur]

You need to take food just before taking the aspirin.

[Cavapoochonowner]

I have had migraines with aura since I was 14.Now I get aura without headache( just feel tired and a bit funny) I have heard about aspirin before but am worried about the effect on my stomach.I get stomach ache if I take I ibuprofen too often.i have recently started taking 20mg proprananol 3x a day as a preventative as the amitriptyline I was taking had stopped working( I am weaning myself off it slowly).I think I will mention it to my GP when I next have an appointment as I am taking other medication as well and wouldn't want to cause any problems.It is certainly worth looking into as a migraine sufferer you will try anything .Thankyou for the information.