Q: I am 53 years old and attained menopause four years back. I suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) twice in the last 2 years. I was unconscious for 8 hours and was advised Disprin and Clopiteb. My CT and MRI brain EEG is normal. Butcarotid doppler shows a small plaque in right proximal carotid artery. My cholesterol is 217 mg, triglyceride - 155; HDL - 42; LDL - 144 and VLDL - 31. My x-ray of the cervical spine shows loss of cervical lardosis cervical sondulosis. I have been adviced to take Ecosprin - 150 bd, Zosta 10 mg bd and Serdep 25 mg hs for 2 months. I haven't started the medicines as I am afraid of chemical medicines and love to take natural products instead. I don't have any problem except I feel lethargic and like to sleep. Please advise.

A:A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an acute episode of temporary and focal loss of cerebral function of vascular (occlusive) origin with a duration of usually less than 1 hour. They are rapid in onset and symptoms reach their maximal manifestation in fewer than 5 minutes (usually <1 min). Manifestations are of variable duration and typically last 2-15 minutes (rarely as long as 24 h). If you are already taking aspirin, adding extended-release dipyridamole may help as recent reports suggest that this combination is more effective than aspirin alone at preventing stroke, particularly in patients at high risk for stroke. Aspirin is ideally taken at a dose of 325 mg and if symptoms are increasing, it is better to take clopidogrel 75 mg orally once a day OR ticlopidine 250 mg orally twice a day. Blood sugar and BP must be maintained within normal limits. I am afraid you must continue medication in consultation with your doctor.