Benefits and Negative Effects of Aspirin Therapy

[Jschwab]

It has been a year since my diagnosis of triple negative ET. Upon finding that I tested negative for the Von Willebrand Syndrome (aspirin causing bleeding), he said, go ahead and take 325 mg daily. My platelettes fluctuate in the 800's-900's. I don't have many symptoms- except stress from work causing vestibular migraine infrequently. While I know aspirin, and most likely higher does of aspirin, decreases chances of clotting, what are the side effects of daily aspirin therapy over time?

[Mpncoda]

I have been researching Pycnogenol as an alternative to aspirin. I’ve been asked by my Hematologist to take baby dose. 81 mg of aspirin. My natural wellness Dr likes Pycnogenol and here is some info: arc-nutrition.com/anticoagu....

[Jschwab in reply to Mpncoda]

Thank you for the info- I will read up on it...

[Mpncoda in reply to Mpncoda]

Here is another article. science.gov/topicpages/b/ba...

[Jschwab in reply to Mpncoda]

Awesome thanks!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Mpncoda]

have you checked this with your haematologist, it is advisable to check with your haematologist before taking any supplements or vitamins etc so that they can advise you regarding any interactions with other medications you are prescribed. Maz

[Anag]

Hi Jschwab,

I have read and have been told that even buffered baby aspirin may cause intestinal bleeding over time. You can research that a bit ir ask a doctor that you really trust!

I had histamine intolerance at time of diagnosis 2.5 years ago and felt really sick with the aspirin. I took ginkgo and garlic until I was able to find more answers. My hemo at the time didn’t give me any alternative. “There is no alternative, you have to take aspirin.” I had 909! You can imagine, I got away from him as fast as I could. I tried 50mg of aspirin daily and 3 x 60mg ginkgo (only stays in body up to 12 hours). Felt less symptoms.

Having started the autoimmune paleo diet a month after diagnosis, all my allergies, intolerances and other long time ailments went away. My wholistic doctor praises me on my self dosage of ginkgo. Max is 240mg per day and my taking 180mg and a tiny aspirin was perfect. I was able to reduce to 4 x 50mg aspirin a week and the Ginkgo since my blood was too thin. I hover around 650.

The good thing about ginkgo is that if have a bleeding episode (nose) or bleeding under the skin or gums, you can stop the ginkgo and it is out of your system. Aspirin takes up to 7 days. Therefore, if you need dental work (ie. extraction) you only need to stop the aspirin and ginkgo 1-2 days beforehand. Then start again the following day. It was so easy for me.

No matter what, please ask your doctor. The doctor I have now is amazing and she discusses everything with me and she of course keeps track.

It seems to me that 325mg a day is a lot. As far as I’ve heard from all on the forum, they are on 100mg aspirin. Is there a particular reason for taking this higher dosage?

Stay well. Anag 🙂

[Jschwab in reply to Anag]

My heam saw my results of the Von Wllebrand test and thought about it, and within seconds he said, take 325 mg. So not much thought, just "the more the better" in regard to clotting. Whick is silly. Because I have read higher platelettes does not always mean a clot is inevitable. Thanks for your response....

[hunter5582]

Actually von Willebrand Disease comes in two types - Congenital and Acquired. It is caused by a deficiency in von Willebrand factors, which are critical components of coagulation. People who experience thrombocytosis are at risk for the Acquired vWBD as their platelet levels get higher. Used to be thought that this only occurred well above 1 million, but more recent research indicates it happens around 800K. Research also indicates it is more common than previously thought. Someone with a MPN who has AvWBD would be a greater risk for excessive bleeding and aspirin would be contraindicated.

For most people with ET, the standard is to use low-dose aspirin. Some docs will recommend taking 2 low dose aspirin per day. Not sure why your doc would recommend the higher dose unless you are in some way symptomatic and low dose is considered inadequate. You are correct in thinking that there are inherent risks to long-term aspirin use. These risks change as we age (increased risk of hemorrhage). You do have to balance that with the benefit of preventing thrombosis.

Many on this forum have lots of experience with aspirin and other blood thinners. Suggest you gather the information from your post and review it with a qualified MPN-expert doc. Not all hematologists have expertise with MPNs. Given that you are questioning the recommendation for higher-dose aspirin, perhaps a consult with a MPN-expert doc would be a good idea. Here is a link to patient-recommended docs with that expertise mpnforum.com/list-hem/ .