Gratitude
Thank Goodness for Ice Packs
When I needed headache relief without medication
I was feeling a little worse for wear last week. I had to follow specific instructions from my doctor to prepare for a colonoscopy, and I was having (unrelated) headache pain besides.
Some of the doctor’s instructions involved eating a low-fiber diet for a few days, but there was also a rule about not taking ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory medications because they can create a risk for bleeding during the procedure.
On the plus side, although I used to get headaches quite a lot, these days they aren’t as frequent or as debilitating as they used to be. Unfortunately, though, I do sometimes go through a difficult time with headaches, with pain sometimes lasting on and off for a few days.
In short, in the midst of the test prep, I had headaches for five days in a row but couldn’t take ibuprofen, which typically is what finally makes the pain go away (along with a good sleep). I tried acetaminophen, but it didn’t break the headache cycle.
I also did a lot of other stuff like staying hydrated, making sure I had electrolytes in my system, getting adequate sleep, and listening to restful meditation and visualization exercises. I also used a heating pad on my stomach to help focus on soothing warmth elsewhere in my body and not the pain in my head.
But to get back to the title of this piece: I want to give a big thank you to ice packs because they helped me with the worst of my pain. I have the flat, soft packs that I can freeze and refreeze. When the headache pain wouldn’t relent and I couldn’t even sleep, I wrapped an ice pack a couple of times in a tea towel and rested it against the sorest parts of my head and face, shifting its position often so as not to get too cold.
What I also found helpful in these headachy moments was that when the pain eased a little and I removed the pack, the pillow was still cool enough to help keep the pain muted just enough that I could fall asleep.
As I started to feel better over the last few days, it’s helped me to get out and walk and breathe more fresh air. I do gentle stretches as I walk, too. And I’ve been cooking a wider variety of foods now that the dietary restrictions have lifted. I’m sure it helps to be able to eat more fruits and vegetables again; I’m grateful for them, too, and they deserve a tribute of their own!
If you also have headaches and have medication-free ideas that help you through your pain, I’d be interested to know what works for you if you’d like to share in the comments.
P.S. I want to be sure to mention that the colonoscopy itself was painless — in fact, this was my second one in a year, and both were painless. It’s such an important preventative test. If you have fear about it, please feel free to talk to me about it.
The starting age for these tests has been lowered to 45 in the United States, and some people are advised to get one earlier because of family history or other risk factors. I know it’s not a comfortable topic to talk about and that medical tests can be exhausting, but a colonoscopy can truly save your life. One of my closest friends (who is a few years younger than me) was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, so unfortunately I know that it can happen to anyone.
P.P.S. I’m grateful for my gastroenterologist and all the people in her office, too. And I’m always grateful to you for reading — thank you.
