LymeNet Flash: Do you keep a notebook

This is topic Do you keep a notebook in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Libra72 (Member # 38453) on :

I did not do this before in the late 90's when I had lyme and now wish I did.

I am going to start a notebook just wondering if you do have one, what do you include that is helpful and how detailed are you?

Symptoms- for sure, do you go into times of day? morning, noon, evening

Do you go as specific and what you ate that day?

Thanks - [hi]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I kept a notebook for 3 of my 4 yrs of treatment. I found it very helpful. Mostly knowing what was causing what and whether or not I was improving.

You can look back and say, WOW I was really sick back then...now I'm better!

I wrote in mine before I went to bed. I wrote down the abx I was on and if I started a new supplement, I would write that too.

I wrote down if I was herxing that day and my main symptoms.

Posted by debilyn (Member # 35753) on :

I keep a journal online at "evernote."

The amount of details I include usually are determined by how well I'm feeling.

Feeling bad, I just jot down the basics which are similar to what Lymetutu wrote down.

I make sure to note med changes. Sometimes I write about food if I feel it has affected my day in some way.

I write about doctor's appointments and I jot down supplements I want to try and protocols that I want to ask my doctor about.

I can't wait until I can look back through the journal and thank God I am not as sick then as I am now.

Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :

I initially began a running list of my meds so that I wouldn't take pain meds too close together.

My memory is like a sieve.

I bought a 5x7" wirebound notebook.
Whenever I begin a new med or supplement, I list it at the top of the page, so that it's easy to find.
If my symptoms improve or change, I can go back and see if I started something new.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Definitely write down the new abx you begin.

Carol... I sometimes jot down what time I've taken a pain med too. Sieve here also!

The notebook I kept was a regular size spiral notebook. I think I filled one a year.

Posted by TwistedbyLyme (Member # 38478) on :

Libra72, keeping a notebook has been incredibly important to me. At first it was a tool to communicate with my doctors. It's been valuable to track any patterns or adjustments, and recognize new sensitivities or symptoms. Sometimes it just serves as a token of strength or hope for me. I'm an artist so I also add in illustrations (these help me track my headspace).