Brief Answer:
You must be very careful at your age

Detailed Answer:
Good evening. I'm not sure exactly you mean to say when you write, "....been trying to help with more blood thinning to keep from another stroke."

Do you mean you're looking to TAKE blood thinners? Or you wish to increase the power of blood thinners you're already taking?

At the age of 88 you are significantly more at risk for spontaneous bleeding events compared to the population less than age 65 therefore, I would not WITHOUT DOCTOR'S ORDERS take any more blood thinning medication. Not all strokes REQUIRE blood thinners to prevent them from happening again.

Again, your 88 puts you at significant risk for a bleeding event which could be more important to you compared to the risk you run of a repeat stroke....I know that the latter is not a good option....but neither is bleeding internally.

There is no antiplatelet agent that is on the market which is any LESS POTENT than aspirin in terms of its proclivity to cause GI bleeding. So if something as simple as aspirin low dose, 81mg. is not well tolerated then, honestly you won't tolerate anything else on the market.

Now, you didn't really specify either if you really meant ANTI-PLATELET agent which people call blood thinners.....or ANTI-COAGULANT agents which people also call blood thinners. There are clearly some strokes (in fact, MOST strokes) do not have any indication for BLOOD THINNERS such as COUMADIN or heparin to be used unless specific other comorbidities exist such as Atrial fibrillation, giant patent foramen ovale, and some other conditions that clearly place you at risk for throwing CLOTS from the heart or elsewhere.

So, my best advice to you is to NOT play around with adding or doing anything your doctor hasn 't directed you to do according to HIS/HER plan for thinning your blood out so as to avoid a repeat stroke. You should clearly avoid as many risk factors (i.e. stop smoking, reduce excessive drinking, diet, exercise) for repeat stroke but do not try to "help" or outguess your doctor......the science of this type of problem is far from being well established and new concepts are emerging and old ones being revised...make sense?

Let your doctor lead the cub scout troop here and you just be a real good cubbie and listen to the Troop Leader! HA!

I hope that I've provided useful and helpful information to your question and if you agree could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.

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This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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