Aspirin is safe AS LONG AS it is monitored on a regular basis, you have a med to protect the lining of your stomach like omeprazole and you dont have something like IBD that makes you more susceptable to ulceration! Prednisolone can irritate the stomach lining and cause heartburn and its also why it comes in a "coated" format as well as ordinary like aspirin and why both are recommended to be taken with/after food.
Like all meds it has side effects and folk need to be aware of the possible implications. For IBD sufferers it is important to stay away from Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac (anything in the Non steroidal group (NSAIDs) of drugs) as they can contribute to ulcers in the gut. For SOME asthmatics for instance the same group of drugs MAY contribute to an asthma attack. I got a copy of a letter my Rheumatology Consultant sent to my Asthma/Allergy Consultant yesterday and in it he told him that "we do try very hard to avoid NSAIDs in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease as these can exacerbate the gut". This was because my Asthma cons felt they could use this group of drugs to control my pain problems much better in HIS opinion even though he knows my GP and Dermatology Consultant think I have aspirin sensitive asthma. As you can see my Rheums cons has basically said no way. My asthma consultant wanted to take me into hospital and run tests to see if I really had a problem with Aspirin etc on the asthma front. Both the Rheums and Gastro teams along with my GP have said NO because of the possible impact on my IBD.
The patient I mentioned of mine that died was a more extreme case because he went unmonitored for years and had no physical symptoms. Its also possible he did have symptoms but was so used to them because they crept up over a period of time he didnt see a problem. His ulcers were in his stomach and the first two parts of his duodenum - at least that was the areas the scope was able to reach.
Pen its things like that I see day in day out at work - part of the job I am afraid. I also lost a 28yr old and a 38yr old 10 days apart for different chest problems around the same time. Can be really tough some days... but its what I feel I do best in looking after folk so sick. Any kind of aspirin needs monitored Pen whether its coated or not.
As an example of another drug that folk use without thinking....
Paracetamol (Acetaminaphen) is recommended not to take any more than 8 tablets in 24hrs here in the UK - not sure about US. Did you know it can take as little as 12 (500mg tablets) in 24hrs or in one go to destroy your liver - or do damage (its why some folk use it when they overdose as there can be no going back if they are found) and you not survive (depends how susceptable/sensitive you are to it but you never know until faced with it)? Yet its a drug that folk use day in day out without thinking for pain relief....because they think its "safe".
Not trying to scare you Isla - just trying to get folk to see no med taken doesnt have implications both for the positive and negative effect and its important we all recognise that and accept the responsibility of watching for possible side effects etc. Some get scared by some of the meds we take for Crohns but overlook the every day stuff because its widely acceptable! Its also why a patient leaflet comes in the med box so we can read it and be informed and aware of what we take. Doesnt mean however that we will suffer any side effect or all that are mentioned with each med we take. The leaflet is there to inform and say "these are the POSSIBLE things that MIGHT happen, please be aware".
Because of the above many feel overwhelmed when they look at the information leaflet with meds they have or become scared. There is a need to keep things in perspective though as I have said not everything will affect every single person.
Does that make sense everyone? Just trying to clarify my thoughts here... not always the best at putting into words what is in my head!!
