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.