For short periods of time, prescription medications (such as narcotic pain medications or muscle relaxants) may be helpful to alleviate pain or related complications.
It can take anywhere from 4-10 hrs. now if your head gasket is warped you will have to take it to have it milled that takes from 1 day to several days. if not you can just buy a completely new one that fits perfectly for about $150.
Bad news-Fixing a blown head gasket can cost up to $3,000. Good news-Sometimes, the head gasket only needs to be repaired and sealed, not completely replaced, costing only $300. Bad news-Auto shops have been hurt bad by the economy.