New to the community - Aspirin side effects for ET

[ET_Gooner]

Hi all,

Just joined the HealthUnlocked MPN Voice community

I have had an ET diagnosis for the past 3 years and have been prescribed low dose Aspirin for now. I was wondering if anybody knows or has experienced any side effects from long term daily use of Aspirin? I know it is linked with some Gastrointestinal side effects.

Many thanks!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi ET_Gooner, welcome to our forum, glad you have found us. Many people use the enteric coated aspirin, myself included. Best wishes, Maz

[hunter5582]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Low dose aspirin is the most common form of antiplatelet medication used to prevent thrombosis and microvascular symptoms with MPNs. In its enteric form, it is usually well tolerated. Like all medications, aspirin can have adverse effects, including GI adverse effects. We have to evaluate the risk/benefit profile of each medication choice we make. The intrinsic risk of not taking aspirin needs to be weighed against the intrinsic risks of taking aspirin (or any other antiplatelet drug).

I have been taking aspirin for nearly 30 years. I have not experienced significant issues from it. I have tended to bleed/bruise more easily while thing aspirin, particularly when my platelet levels were higher. I was off aspirin for a while and developed erythromelalgia. going back on aspirin resolved the symptom completely. The benefits of aspirin outweigh the risks/adverse effects for me.

Wishing you all the best.

[ET_Gooner in reply to hunter5582]

Appreciate the detailed response and risk assessment provided hunter5582 , many thanks!

[Wyebird]

Welcome, this is a brilliant site. Side effects or not, unfortunately it’s vital we take it or a substitute. I had to swap to clopidogrel. It didn’t make any difference. I now take a lansoprazole ( for stomach irritation) before my meds.

[ET_Gooner in reply to Wyebird]

That's good to know, thanks Wyebird , I hope the stomach irritation subsides and that the lansoprazole has helped

[mark382]

I've been on Aspirin for 15 years with no side effects. Maybe take longer to stop bleeding if I cut myself. I have the enteric coated ones as soluble ones did give me a bad stomach. I was on Lanzaprozole for bad stomach aches before Aspirin, but I believe Lanzaprozole helps if on Aspirin.

[ET_Gooner in reply to mark382]

Thanks mark382 ! I've noticed the common theme is that the enteric coated aspirin is best to mitigate against any GI side effects. Also seen a few people mention Lanzaprozole too to help with stomach irritation, thanks for sharing this information, hugely appreciated.

[mark382 in reply to ET_Gooner]

You're welcome.

[DougyW]

Hi in the UK you will be prescribed soluble aspirin. As Hinter says the Enteric is less impactful and is low cost to buy your own. A key hint is tontake either with food to mitigate gastric side effects.

[ET_Gooner]

Hey DougyW , good point, I think I will just buy the enteric one and that's a fantastic tip to take with food. I've had some GI issues before my ET diagnosis so very conscious of aggravating it further - thanks for your advice and information

[Wyebird in reply to ET_Gooner]

hi, as you are now classed as a cancer patient and live in the Uk I believe all prescriptions are free.

[ET_Gooner in reply to Wyebird]

Yeah that is really useful to have free prescriptions

[DougyW in reply to Wyebird]

Thats correct but most GPs won't prescribe the Enteric variant. As ET Gooner has previously had gastric issues it's worth asking.

[ChillyAsh34]

I take gastric coated as I believe it by passes the stomach ,I have it after food with a glass of water no problems I get mine 28 tabs for 99p in home bargains dissolved ones were nt good for me

[ET_Gooner in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Awesome! Thanks ChillyAsh34 for the heads up, yeah the enteric coated ones taken with food seem to be the best solution to mitigate any unwanted side effects, appreciate your help

[Hopetohelp]

Welcome to the forum. Been on enteric coated aspirin 75mg for 4 years and no problems. I take it with a glass of water just before breakfast.

[ET_Gooner in reply to Hopetohelp]

Hopetohelp that's reassuring to know, thanks for sharing!

[Jody00]

Hi welcome ,I've been on 75mg enteric coated aspirin for 3 years I do take with food . Xx

[ET_Gooner in reply to Jody00]

Thanks Jody! That's good to know

[azaelea]

Hi and welcome to this friendly and helpful forum. I was put on Aspirin when ET was diagnosed 5 years ago. I had a bleed in March 2020 for which I wasn’t able to have a scan to see wherein my digestive system it had come from. Taken off Aspirin as it was thought it was Stomach. Six weeks later had a small clot with awful pain in little toe so was eventually prescribed Clopidogerel which is gastric coated and I’m fine with this. You could maybe ask for this instead? Good luck. Fran

[Wyebird in reply to azaelea]

oh good, unfortunately even with a lanzoprozle 1/2 before hand clopidogrel sometimes burns my throat as soon as I swallow. I take an indigestion tablet straight away and it cures it

[ET_Gooner]

Very helpful Fran, thank you. Managed to get my aspirin prescription altered to enteric instead of the soluble type so that's a good first step I hope