I was prescribed Niaspan ER, and the first night I took the 81 m...

I was prescribed Niaspan ER, and the first night I took the 81 mg aspirin an hour before. So this was 11 pm. I tried to get to sleep, as I do usually have a hard time getting and staying asleep anyway.. BUT, four hours later, I had this severe face flush, I had burning in my ears, my face, my neck and as I was told I might have this, I tried to remain calm.. then the ITCHING started up, I wanted to rip off my skin, I itched so badly! I scratched my wrists, then my upper legs, my stomach area.. even ripped open a little sore there... this itching almost drove me crazy! I admit I got panicky.. and my heart started racing and I felt like my throat was closing up.. this is something I experience with my allergy to contrast dyes... I swore I'd never take another Niaspan! Scared the heck out of me. I don't know what else I will be able to take to lower my triglycerides and total cholesterol. I am 56 and just found out with an EKG that I have had a heart attack already. So this is all scary to me, but the burning and itching and rapid heartbeat don't seem worth it to me! Anyone else have this kind of experience? What did you do? thanks