@wandeljw,
Thanks, jw, I remember a bit about that thread. I'll take a look.
There's a difference between primary and secondary prophylaxis. There's a lot of evidence that indicates that aspirin therapy as a primary preventative (prevent a first-time event) has as much downside as possible upside, if not more. Any anticoagulant therapy (primary or secondary to an event) increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The problem with secondary prophylaxis is weighing the risks of a second ischemic or cardiac event with the increased risk of a hemorrhagic event. In some ways, it's largely a crap shoot when it comes to a single individual. There are numerous studies that look at large numbers of patients and say, "Overall...", but that doesn't apply to an individual.
I don't have to worry about heart disease. There isn't a single case of coronary artery disease or heart attack on either side of my family. My mother had a pacemaker put in in her 80s, but that's it. My elevated cholesterol could reasonably be ignored and I probably don't need to be on a statin other than during the situation I described where I was losing weight and possibly throwing off plaques. During my hosp admission last year I had a transesophogeal echocardiogram which showed no buildup whatsoever in my arteries - even after years of having an elevated cholesterol. I do have to worry about high blood pressure, stroke and blood clots. I have a strong family history of those on both sides. So, for me, it comes down to preventing the next event and choosing which therapy is most likely to be successful with the least negative impact.
I've pretty much decided to keep my primary md out of the decision making loop. She didn't prescribe any of the meds. They were prescribed by the consulting neurologist at the hospital and I'm due to have a follow-up with him anyway. I'll continue on my merry weight loss journey and make an appt with him for mid-October. In the meantime I've printed out a bunch of articles on decision-making for clopidogrel vs aspirin for secondary prophylaxis.
As to other portions of The Plan:
I did the yoga dvd last night. I was surprised at how much of it I could do. Parts of the leg stretches/moves were difficult because of my knees, but I did what I could and I felt much better afterwards, both for having done it and for what it accomplished. It's a long (90 min) dvd with multiple components. The first one is a 30 min stretch (all sitting) that I think would be wonderful even as a standalone.
This is the one I purchased.
I also dusted off my old 8 Minutes in the Morning book which has a terrific exercise component that takes 8 minutes (in the morning). It takes two opposing muscle groups each day and works them in sequence. Monday is chest/back so I did 4 sets (12 each) of window sill push ups and seated rows (as in a boat). The concept is that one muscle group rests while the other, opposing one, works. Monday is also therapy pool day so I'll be soaking all my weary joints at midday.
Another way I hope to get myself out of the chair (and out of the house) is to sign up for some workshops/seminars. I used to go to a Wednesday morning religious studies class at a nearby interfaith center. It was the highlight of my week. The founder of the center (and teacher of our Wednesday morning sessions) passed away suddenly in May. I wasn't sure what they were going to do going forward but I got the catalog in the mail last week and the Wednesday morning program looks good. It will be different, for sure, but I'm sure the board will work hard to maintain the program as part of Ron's legacy.
In addition to that I found an adult education center in Northfield (about 20mins away) that offers a varied selection of programming. I signed up for a two week seminar on Jane Eyre in September and three weeks of Dostoevsky short stories in October. I'm busily re-reading Jane Eyre in preparation for the first class.
As to the emotional upheaval and baggage, I'm doing pretty well. The reading, the classes, the detoxing and physical moving, as well as looking forward with anticipation rather than despair is certainly doing it's thing.
In some ways, the last thing I need is more work to do, but I also have a new client. In other ways, it couldn't come at a better time.
