One Week Later

Surprisingly, it has been a really good week. Other than Tuesday, when I had to take some ibuprofen, I have not had a headache. Until this morning. I did feel one sort of starting Friday afternoon, but I drank some more water and it went away. This morning, well really the middle of the night, I woke up and thought it was going to be a really bad day. My nose was all congested and I could feel the throbbing on one side of my head. But the shower and just sitting upright seemed to help. I can still feel it a little, but it is not quite enough to label it a 1. I think what I really need to do is figure out how to treat my allergies. That is what is bothering me the most. But all in all, so far so good.

Day 4 - No Headache

Well, I did cheat a little last night. After I laid down in bed, my headache was up to a 2 for sure. But I could still deal with that. It was the swollen lymph nodes and the pain those were causing. I am not sure if I was fighting off some sort of infection or my body is going through withdrawal. So I did end up taking just some ibuprofen last night. I never would have gotten to sleep last night otherwise. I still didn't sleep the best, but awoke to a new start this morning. I was worried that I would wake up this morning at a 3, but no. I woke up refreshed and ready to start the day. I got a good workout in today as well. I started to feel my head hurt a little during the workout, but pushed through and it did go away after I stopped. I do feel a slight bit of pressure building behind my eyes now, but I am hoping if I go lay down it will go away. So that is what I am doing right now.

Day 3 - Headache Scale 1+

As predicted, I awoke this morning with a very mild headache. I could have taken the allergy meds first thing and been totally fine right now. Instead, I took my vitamins and am suffering through this. If it stayed the same as this morning, it would have been very tolerable. But as the day has gone on, it has progressed from a 1 to probably almost a 2 now. I am praying that it is not worse in the morning, and that I'll be able to sleep tonight. I did get plenty of water today, in hopes that it might help a little. Not so much. I also spent nearly 2 hours in the car today which most likely only made it worse, in addition to adding the nausea. I am going shortly to lay down with an ice pack.

Day 2 - Headache Scale 0

OK, so it is day two of no allergy meds, and no ibuprofen. So far, so good. Part of my strategy is making sure I get enough water. I am not quite halfway to my goal yet, and it is almost 6pm. I will have to do much better tomorrow. I did not sleep the best last night, however. I think it might be due to the magnesium. I will continue to watch that to be sure. Also, the first symptom that is noticeable from allergy med withdrawal is the sneezing. Hopefully that is not a sign that tomorrow will be worse. Please pray for complete healing and wisdom with me.

My Headache Journal

I am a longtime sufferer of very frequent headaches. I started getting them probably about 12 or 13 years ago. My first very serious one, I went to the emergency room and was prescribed muscle relaxers and some serious pain pill. That was a huge mistake. I was basically in bed for the next week. For a headache. I learned to deal with them on my own after that, mostly with a lot of ibuprofen. They did not become really frequent until after my oldest son was born 10 yrs ago. I was taking at least some ibuprofen almost daily. When he was about 3, we talked about having another baby. I couldn't get pregnant and continue to take ibuprofen every day. So I thought I would try the chiropractor. WOW! What a difference that made. With regular visits I kept my headaches at bay and was able to have another baby. But that was when my headaches were mostly tension headaches. And we only had one child and two incomes. I could afford regular visits to the chiropractor. Now my headaches seem to be more sinus problems. I have been on daily doses of OTC allergy meds and then ibuprofen every other day or so. This has prompted me to do some research. I know many of my friends use a lot of more natural health remedies, and I have been wanting to for some time. Sometimes, though, it is hard to break old habits. Today is the day to make that change. Here are the steps to being drug free for me.

The first thing I am doing is keeping a headache diary. And since I tend to lose things like paperwork and notebooks, I am keeping the diary right here. Every day I will record my headache on a scale of 0-3. 0=no headache, 1=mild headache, 2=moderate to severe, and 3=incapacitating. It has been a long time since I've had a level 3, because I have learned to medicate before it gets to that point. So we will see if that stays so with no meds. Right now I am at a 0. I will also record foods I've eaten, to see if it is something I'm eating causing the headaches. I don't think I will record on the days that are 0.

I also started taking a B-complex vitamin and Magnesium. I found some remedies to use if I actually do get a headache. I will record about what I use, if I need to. I also should probably pay at least one visit to the chiro, but I don't know if that will happen or not.

I invite you all on this journey with me. I would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions you may have as well. Today was day 1 of no meds, and so far so good. I'm anxious to see what other health benefits will come from this change as well.

A Resolution

For there is no difference between nationalities - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for "Everyone who calles on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; the do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Jeremiah 29:11-14

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a book. Yes, I am again writing about the Lemony Snicket books. The writing style of the books is like nothing I've ever read. He really did write these books for the mind of the 10yo boy, but with enough humor to keep grown ups entertained as well. I am seriously thinking we may need to add these books to our family library. And I am still trying to figure out how I can make a language arts study out of them. Any suggestions? Or better yet, did someone already make one that I can just buy? Or maybe I should make one that I can sell and help my family budget.