I know Mr Hepworth spoke about his use of Plavix (antiplatelet medicine) to help VES patients. This drug proved hard to obtain in UK as it is not a known treatment for VES here.
In last month I started taking low dose Aspirin 75mg daily (coated version so protects stomach) and my GP confirmed this is an antiplatelet medicine also (like Plavix). As it is easy to buy low dose Aspirin in the UK as an over the counter drug I mention this in case it helps other members try it.
It has helped reduce the pain levels in my scalp from trapped blood and it has improved my resting heart rate further. I have seen no adverse side effects so far.
I did try Plavix at start of year after persuading Querns Sq but at that early stage I did get some negative effects. I May retry it with Aspirin soon to see if it improves trapped fluid levels or has other benefits (or not). I know stroke patients take both drugs in combination so I guess they must both be safe enough to try.
Thanks for the info & glad that it helps you. You’ve been a mine of helpful tips & resources on here! Hope you keep seeing improvements with your symptoms
Brief update- a side effect of some blood from gums has now emerged, it’s a known side effect of antiplatelet meds.
Caused me to pause Aspirin for 2 days and head pressure returned with a vengeance, so I believe Aspirin was clearly helping that head pressure problem. Have restarted Aspirin today. D
I’m sorry for the side effect of bleeding gums, @PatientD, but am glad stopping the aspirin confirmed that it’s really helping you. I hope the bleeding is very minimal so you can continue on the aspirin w/o a problem. I take a daily aspirin (83 mg is the lowest commercially available in the US) as well because both my parents had heart disease so I’m more predisposed, I guess. My doctor recommended keeping my blood on the thinner side could help w/ stroke prevention & heart issues. I’m hoping that’s true!
Yes I think so thanks. Saw dentist today to confirm no gum concerns. So have resumed Aspirin now. Decided to take it at night now, to see if can improve my sleep. This heat wave is not helping my head! D
@PatientD I take my aspirin at night because its also an analgesic & low level NSAID. I figure maybe it will help reduce my body aches & pains (due to age & much body abuse ) so I can sleep better just as you mentioned.
We shouldn’t complain about the heat after all the cold, wet weather we’ve had, but it is one extreme to another! Should be cooling down soon I think
Hi, did not mean to sound like complaining. For healthy people I am very happy they can enjoy the hot weather. But for me temp of 30 degrees (in m25 areas) recently, means yellow weather warnings & the health impacts that very hot weather brings for those who are health vulnerable are difficult. Happily temp now back in mid 20s, still pleasant & summery. I plan to move from M25 areas as it’s just too hot here frequently now. All the best. D
Oh no, sorry, I didn’t mean you were complaining about the weather as such, just more laughing at our Britishness that the weather’s never right and a favourite topic of conversation! I’m sorry if you thought I was meaning you…and I do remember when I was getting the IJV compression that heat definitely made head pressure worse, so I should’ve been more understanding, apologies
A brief Aspirin update. Am now taking 75mg in morning and then another half tablet before sleep. Taking the full tablet at night had started to drop my heart rate too low in first hours of sleep, causing oxygen stats to worsen. It improves my head pressure still, decreases pain levels and improves my resting heart rate overnight. So I would recommend trying it. Only side effect is easy bruising but I can tolerate that.
My GP wants me to take drug to protect stomach against daily Aspirin taking. I do use the coated Aspirin that is kinder on stomach. I am reluctant to take another drug so istomsch protector drug is stuck in meds cabinet still right now.
Taking the aspirin w/ a bit of food & at least 8 oz of water or other liquid will also help protect your stomach, @PatientD. Doctors seem to forget to give that information to their patients.
) so I can sleep better just as you mentioned.