Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

My mum's the same Julie. She should take them, but can't because of stomach problems.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

I would add it seems rare if ever a GP here will prescribe aspirin you are expected to buy them over the counter with no prescription. It's the same with many medications which are cheaper than a prescription fee and able to be bought off prescription. Would be madness to pay prescription fee for something costing pennies.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

You can get the 75mg Asprin for 75p in some stores. I buy my own. Saying that I don't take them everyday. I just take one now and again when I feel my blood feeling strange. Probably a build up of toxins. My Brother was told to take one a day by his Doctor after having a by pass.
Unfortunately the strength of them was too much and after 12 years of taking them they attacked the back of his eyes and he is now blind.
So the dosage is very important.
Sorry to hear of others experience of a stroke in the family. It is not
a nice thing to have and hopefully a little aspirin now and again will keep
it at bay.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

You should not take aspirin if you have certain health conditions....asprin can also react adversely with other medications.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

Pharmacists are pretty good at working that out too.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

Pharmacists are the next best thing to a gp. They work alongside gp's, so know what they're talking about. I wouldn't think twice about consulting one - especially as they sit at the desk next to mines in the ward . Well, you've got to have some perks

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

Over a number of years I had 4 members of my family each had Brain Aneurysms all passed within days. I got a little worried and ask my gp what to do. He said take half an aspirin everyday. That was about 10yrs ago. Then some years later I started to suffer badly with a form of dermatitis on my fingers that left them very sore and bleeding.
A friend mentioned why not try stopping the daily dose of aspirin after seeing my fingers wrapped up daily with plasters and various coloured electrical tape to stop the plasters getting wet. I did and within a few weeks my fingers were back to normal again. I can now do woodwork/gardening without gloves and my skin doesn't break anymore. So much relief after years of pain and I put it all down to aspirin. I have heard other stories since about aspirin I just wish I had never started taking them.

Re: National Stroke Day 28th Oct

A stroke has nothing to do with the heart. A stroke happens when the blood is halted in its tracks to get to the brain because of a blockage in the veins/arteries and can have a minor, or serious, effect.

I had a mini stroke - a TIA - Transient Ischaemic Attack - almost four years ago, and my heart is sound, although I do have a more than average high BP for which I'm being treated, but not because of the TIA.

A stroke is caused because of a blockage of blood to the brain and, if there is a bleed to the brain, then the condition can be very serious indeed. Luckily for me, I didn't have a bleed to the brain following a scan.

Nobody should take aspirin unless it's specifically prescribed by a doctor. A pharmacist is not a doctor and can only offer general advice on certain external conditions, but not internal, or biological.

I take medication now following my TIA, which I never had to take before, but if you have been diagnosed with a heart complaint, then only take medication prescribed by the doctor which will treat your specific condition.