Does taking lower dose aspirin advisable for years? - MPN Voice

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Does taking lower dose aspirin advisable for years?

livelovelaugh1992 profile image

I’ve been taking aspirin for 5 months straight now and I feel like I’ll be doing it for years. I know some people says it the possible side effects outweighs the disease that it can prevent.

I am a Jak2+ my platelet count is at 1400+ now last 2 months it was 1500+ I dunno if the cranberry juice and turmeric tea helped.

But I can’t help but think that I may develop other disease due to taking aspirin daily. I know it’s far more better than being prescribed hydroxurea, my doctor didn’t advise since I’m very healthy, as far as I know, I meet the doctor every 2 months for monitoring so far it doesn’t go up beyond 1500.

Back to aspirin,

Is anyone here develop any extreme side effects for taking it for years?

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livelovelaugh1992
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18 Replies
WeylandYutani profile image
WeylandYutani

Hello,

what dose are you taking daily? What I learned so far is that it depends heavily on manufacturer, dose and if they are coated or not.

Everyone is different and reacts different to each of the above mentioned aspects (among others) so I doubt there can be a clear suggestion.

I would opt for something that you feel well with...

ggrana profile image
ggrana

I have high platelets myself but found cranberry juice make s them go even higher, try to stop it for a month or two and see if your numbers reduce

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

I have been taking aspirin 75 mg, for about five weeks, for thinning my blood, bad skull injury, from epileptic seizures, I have a colourful medical history, I fear they will aggravate some of my other medical conditions, just minor skin and leg muscles to start off with, but the brain pressure is building up, with headaches, I tried to pick strawberries today, but when standing up to adjust, the pressure was too much for my brain, almost blanked out and fell against my garden shed. Even five hours later I can still feel the pressure from that episode🥴 Might have to find an obscure alternative to aspirin?

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

I tolerated 81mg for nearly 30 years, but as I aged I experienced increasing levels of hemorrhaging. I d/c the aspirin on the advice of my MPN Specialist who has concerns about aspirin in the age>60 group. That worked fine for a while, but then I developed the erythromelalgia-like pain on my toes/feet. Note that I have PV with both erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis. I decided to go back on aspirin at 45.5mg/day. I cut a chewable aspirin in half. So far this is working great. No more pain in my toes/feet and no excessive hemorrhaging.

I have also been diagnosed with probable mild chronic kidney disease. The nephrologist thinks that NSAID use may be responsible. However, she did not factor in the three one-year periods I was on hydroxyurea (which can cause renal impairment). This issue is still undetermined so take this withy a grain of salt.

I also have GERD, a hiatal hernia, and bouts of gastritis and esophagitis. Aspirin is not easy on the GI system, but the inflammation from the JAK2 mutation is a more likely culprit. I also have a history of a hemorrhagic brain tumor, so my situation is a bit more complex.

The bottom line is that aspirin is like any other drug we take. There is a risk/benefit profile. it is not an entirely benign drug. We each respond differently to it. Our response can change as we age and the MPN evolves. I think that aspirin is reasonable choice for most of us with MPNs. I also think that dosing should be based on how each person responds to it. Most are likely OK with one low-dose aspirin/day, Some may need more and some less. Some may need another anti=platelet drug.

Despite the issues I have had and the intrinsic risks of aspirin, I elected to go back on it. The pain in my toes/feet was not acceptable and the risk of 45mg/day is preferable to the daily pain associated with this microvascular symptom. While most are concerned about thrombosis, which is a serious risk, there are other problems that aspirin can prevent. Some risks are definitely worth taking. In the end, only you can decide.

livelovelaugh1992 profile image
livelovelaugh1992 in reply to hunter5582

Thank you Hunter, You're comments are always a big help :)

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to hunter5582

I have to really let soluble aspirin dissolve properly, like yourself pains in feet and legs, body slowly getting used to it, it's what those 'things' are doing now to my bashed up brain, that I'm really worried about and these new incessant headaches? [head feels like its constrained in a hot tightening metal box, with NO movement allowed!] Thanks again for your help Hunter👍

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply to Adlon57

As always wishing you the best my friend. If you think the headaches are migraine, highly recommend looking into CGRP Inhibitors. They really work well.

hall2 profile image
hall2

I’ve been taking aspirin daily for 23 years and no problems. My GP advised me to also take Lanzaprazole as this can help T gastric problems in older people. I also take the enteric coated aspirin which is supposed to be better.

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie in reply to hall2

I take 75mg aspirin daily for raised platelets, as well as omeprazule because I get acid reflux. It is such a small dose, I think it can't do much harm, and I remember way back in the sixties, everyone was advised to take it to stave off heart attacks. I prefer the enteric coated aspirin as I don't like the taste of the dissolvable type. It is sometimes hard to find the enteric coated aspirin (I buy it because it saves the NHS a lot of money compared to how much it costs in shops). My partner takes the dissolvable one because that is what he's been prescribed. I wonder what the difference is other than ease of taking.

Minu68 profile image
Minu68 in reply to MaggieSylvie

I take the dissolvable one, and was told it protects the stomach lining from it to take it that way. I dissolve it in a full glass of water and don’t mind the taste that way.

IrishHiker profile image
IrishHiker

Been on low dose for 22 years now.

redumbrella profile image
redumbrella

I have been on Aspirin for over 15 years with no Ill effects am also on HU for close on 3 years, I wouldn't worry to much about Aspirin especially in low doses.

Regards

Garry

mark382 profile image
mark382

I've been taking 75mg enteric coated aspirin for 13 years with no side effects. I believe they have found that it can reduce the risk of bowl cancer, so another benefit. I was on Lanzaprozol before taking aspirin and still on it.

Cja1956 profile image
Cja1956

I have been taking 81 mg every day for 10 years after experiencing a blood clot in my spleen, and being hospitalized for 3 days. I’ve had no ill effects that I’m aware of. I’ve had stomach issues crop up over the years, but I don’t think the aspirin had anything to do with it. I think you’ll be fine.

Meatloaf9 profile image
Meatloaf9

Hi, I take two 81 mg aspirin per day. I now have PV at age 71. Have been taking the aspirin for 5 yrs plus. Higher risk for bleeding in older population when taking aspirin. The reason I take two is my wt of 230. Studies on heart issues have shown that 1 may not be enough for those weighing over 200 lbs. My Dr recommended taking only one but I do not bruise or bleed easily so I have stayed with the two for now. Since now starting HU I may cut that back when blood counts start coming down. This is my experience, not advice. You should probably do whatever your hematologist recommends. Good luck to you.

MichaelS profile image
MichaelS

Hello, I started on low dose (75mg) aspirin in 1983 when I was diagnosed with PVR. Because it causes my arms and back of the hands to bleed if I knock them I have reduced the intake to every other day, usually. My haematologist doesn't like this very much!! I did try reducing the dose to once in 3 days, but I started to get the "looking through broken glass" symptom, ie optical migraine. I also take omeprazole to reduce gastric problems induced by the blood and aspirin

goldenvision profile image
goldenvision

Hi, Have taken aspirin for 21 years and absolutely no issues, think if you have other stomach issues it may be different, but lots of scandinavians were encouraged to take aspirin to protect against heart/circulation issues and think studies show benefits. (from memory only)

AndyT profile image
AndyT

I’ve been talking low dose aspirin for 18 years now, with no significant side effects. I bleed and bruise a bit too easily but take that as a sign it’s working ok and always carry some plasters just in case..!

I take the enteric coated aspirin to avoid gastric problems, which seems to work - it’s a little more expensive but still cheap and I like the reassurance it gives me.

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