Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Benefits Of Aspirin If Taken Once A Day

This is topic Benefits Of Aspirin If Taken Once A Day in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=003293

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-16-2004, 03:20 AM:

I have heard a million times there are great benefits from taking one aspirin tablet per day. I am required to do just that because of the artery problems I have. I guess aspirin is supposedly an excellent blood thinner, and I have been told that chewing an asirin tablet during a heart attack could save your life.

However, there can be one nasty side effect. At least, in me there is. I complained to the doctor about it, and she told me it is better than the alternative.

I guess she is right.

Anyway, the effects are the skin on some areas of the body gets very thin, breaks easily, and small blood vessels near the surface can very easily rupture in event of a minor abrasion.

I found this to be true. Yesterday, I was getting my car roadworthy for a long trip to Wisconsin in event I had to make an emergency run there. I was changing the oil filter and it is kind of hard to do on that car because everything is in the way. So, I reached in there, scraped my hand and arm on stationary parts to get my strap wrench in place to loosen the filter. I had to do most of that by feel. After I got the filter loose, I pulled my hand out along with my strap wrench, only to discover the entire back of my hand was covered with blood.

After a little first aid, the bleeding stopped, and when I looked at it, it looked like I got involved with a meat grinder.

It was kinda gross, but I will post a picture of it to remind anyone that may be on the aspirin kick once a day to be sure to wear some kind of protection. I didn't, and was not aware until what I saw of the aftermath.

Again, wear some kind of protection.

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 06-16-2004, 04:00 AM:

OUCH!! That's what happened to my Grandpa from all the various blood thining meds he was on... only his arms and hands looked 10 times worse. Whenever he would be doing something in the yard or around the house it would be common to hear someone say "grandpa you're bleeding again"... because just bumping something could cause it. [Frown]

danny

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-16-2004, 04:13 AM:

Danny, you got that right. Just the slightest bump is all it takes.

Posted by Mike Pennell (Member # 1692) on 06-16-2004, 05:08 AM:

Damn doctors and their aspirin. [Mad]

Thanks Paul now I know whats going on with my parents. Always thought it kinda odd they bruise that easily.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-16-2004, 07:33 AM:

Be aware that constant aspirin use may cause a stomach ulcer too. One reason to take coated enteric aspirin if used on a continuing basis.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 06-16-2004, 08:16 AM:

It sounds like your doctor knows his shit pretty well but, if I may, it bears repeating: With any drug, you should always take the lowest dosage that provides the desired effect.

So, one thing you can do is to see how LITTLE aspirin you can take and still get the blood thinning effect you want. Balance that with how much of the side effect you are willing to tolerate and you should be able to strike a balance for yourself.

If it's any consolation, aspirin has recently been shown to block an enzyme that's been implicated in causing breast cancer. At least you can rest easy with the knowledge that you will have a 40% less chance of getting breast cancer because you take aspirin! [Big Grin]

[ 06-16-2004, 09:32 AM: Message edited by: Randy Stankey ]

Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 06-16-2004, 09:19 AM:

Paul,

What dosage are you taking. I have known people who are taking one baby aspirin a day, which is a pretty low dosage.

My usual medication philosophy is this (which drives my wife crazy since she is a nurse): if 2 pills work then 4 pills work much better. [Wink]

But seriously, I agree with Randy about taking the least possible medication consistent with the desired result. Every one is different, and what works well for one person may be too much (or too little) for you.

DISCLAIMER: As always, consult your doctor, and don't listen to quacks like me.

Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 06-16-2004, 09:22 AM:

In the UK it is a quarter of an Aspirin a day. I’m one of those allergic to aspirin, and if I were to take a couple of tablets for a headache or cold, I would swell up and come out in a rash. My alternative safe medicine is Panadol.

A Chemist told me that a glass of red wine a day will help to keep the blood thinner. [Smile]

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 06-16-2004, 09:30 AM:

taking a baby aspirin is probably your best bet....low doses....also Red Wine really helps as well, just don't chase the aspirin with it

Posted by Gordon Bachlund (Member # 124) on 06-16-2004, 11:49 AM:

There is a body of opinion that suggests that macular degeration may be hastened by the continual use of aspirin.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-16-2004, 04:51 PM:

Oscar, the dose perscribed to me is 235mg Enteric Navy-Issue. [Big Grin]

Yes, I have heard Red Wine is great. On ocassion, I do that route.

I still have a few things to do on the car (rear brakes and thermostat job) but I'll have to take my chances and wait for my arm to heal back together befor I re-bash the hell out of it.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-16-2004, 05:12 PM:

quote: Paul G. Thompson
the dose perscribed to me is 235mg Enteric Navy-Issue.

I think you meant 325 milligrams, which is the usual full sized aspirin, regular or enteric. The ones sold for "heart health" are 81 mg.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 06-16-2004, 05:13 PM:

Hopefully you won't HAVE to make a trip here anytime soon Paul... [Frown]

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-16-2004, 06:42 PM:

Another reason to consult a doctor about an aspirin regimen: it can aggravate symptoms of asthma in some people.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-16-2004, 08:09 PM:

Oops! John, you are right. It was a typo on my part.

Rach, I'll probably know more when all the specialist's reports are in. That should be within the next couple of days. As for now, everything is in limbo.

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 06-16-2004, 11:20 PM:

oh yeah...haha...I forgot to say one glass [beer]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-17-2004, 12:02 AM:

Yeah, Dean. My orginal quote:

quote: Paul G. Thompson
Yes, I have heard Red Wine is great. On ocassion, I do that route.

Unfortunatly when I am sitting in front of these damned computer monitors and screwing around on FT and other websites, one glass turns out to be two, two turns out to be three, etc. Then it turns out "The hell with the glass, just grab the bottle. Much easier." Then I notice the bottle is empty. [Big Grin]

What was it that Bob Maar said: "One, Two, Three, Four, and your are on the floor."

How true this can be. [beer]

Been there too many times.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 06-17-2004, 12:25 AM:

325 mg? You're a lightweight!

Try 2000 mg three times a day for three weeks six times a year! [Eek!]

This was a regimen that was used years ago when I was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The intent was to flood the system with aspirin, with the intent on confusing the immune system to attack the high levels of aspirin, instead of the bodies tissues. It worked to a certain extent, but too many other health problems ensued. Mind you, I did like moving as opposed to not moving, as it was quite severe. And this was long before the advent of type 2 nsaids, which now are the preferred treatment of even the most severe cases.

Now my aspirin use is both to keep my blood thin, as other meds seem to thick it up, and also some pain killing effect as well.

Meds suck, and I hope that someday soon they invent a way to just cure all this damned stuff. Oh wait, there's money in them thar patients! Can't cap the well now can we!

Anywhoo, Keep up the caution paul, i empathise with you, same crap happens to me sometimes.
C
C

Ciao

Dave [eyes]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-17-2004, 12:46 AM:

Dave, I hope I can be a "lightweight" for several more years. [Smile]

Wow! A dose like you described must have been to the point that even a strong wind would have done to your arms and back of your hands like the mechanical stuff did to me. [Eek!]

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 06-17-2004, 12:15 PM:

As John indicated, the usual dosage for heart health is one "baby" aspirin of 81 mg per day.

This dosage was prescribed by my cardiologist. The little yellow pills are coated, and sold generically in big plastic jars at very modest cost by Costco, drug discount stores, etc.

Since I have trouble remembering when I last took my medication, I invested $0.99 in a plastic 7-day calendar pillbox. I got larger ones for my sister, and there are variations for those taking medication up to 4 times daily, and some that hold pills for an entire month. A calendar pillbox that my medical supplier charges $35 for costs only $6.49 at a chain drugstore.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 06-17-2004, 01:02 PM:

I was tied down in my wheelchair pretty good, hard for the wind to get hold of me. But it did after about six months allow for me to get much more mobile than I was, and was able to ditch the chair. Only been back in the thing a few times in the last 20 years so it did what it was supposed to do, but it did make me very weak and easy to get injured or ill on other counts.

Even 20 years ago medicine only was to a point where it was treat the problem with a bigger problem just to relieve the first problem. We have come a long way since.

Ciao

Dave