I have been talking a lot about keeping track of our symptoms as I think that is really important to do. Then I realized how difficult it was for me to FINALLY get a chart I was satisfied with made up for me to do so.
So...I figured I would share my chart. I do hope this works and if it doesn't, please let me know. I've also enabled the settings so that you can edit some of the symptoms...adding or changing to have a list that best suits your situation.
I did use alternating colors as fillers as it is easier for me to check off the appropriate boxes that way. You don't have to print it using the colors though...if that would be a problem for you.
Posted by penguingirl (Member # 28688) on :
Nice chart Philly!
Now do you keep a log of how bad the pain is - ie 1-10 for each day as well? or just if you have any of the symptoms you mark them off.
I have a log - but it's hard for me to find a way to note if the pain is unbearable vs just the usual annoyance. I used to be able to go on lymelog but think that site was down where you could see a graphic display of levels of each symptoms - so it was easy to visualize over the months which symptoms were getting better, worse, etc.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I put a number in the box instead of an "X" like I do for other symptoms. I tend to just rate it on a 1-5 with 5 being the worst. Just easier for me that way.
I also use letters in some of the boxes. For example, in the row for bowel problems, I will be a "D" or "C" and in the row labeled sensitivity to light or sound, I mark and L for light and an S for sound.
I wish I could figure how to plot these on a graph but my brain just won't allow it! Lol. Would be interesting to see. It took me a while just to figure out how to do this one though.
I can easily scan across the rows that deal with pain though and see how the numbers fluctuate. I actually just started numbering my anxiety too.
Posted by payne (Member # 26248) on :
ANYONE WITH A Chart?
thank you philly78.. its a beginning for me. i started to chart sometime ago and WOW, it was overwhelming... almost every 20 mins something has to be nagging at my health and mind.. my tweek and respond back with ideas as soon as this soaks in..
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
cool - thank you so much for sharing!
would you be able to save your chart in text format or something easier? it may be easier for me to save a version this way
you know, the other problem I have with recording symptoms is that mine really move around - I mean my middle finger, middle joint will kill me for a moment when I try to hold something and then later it is the pinky on the other hand, so weird and frustrating! Just wanted to vent - thank you
I started a book with 2 facing pages for each day: on the left I split the page again into two columns, one for supplements and meds and the other for foods I eat that day - in the facing page then all the symptoms - on the food page I also record my morning weight, hours/times slept, Date, and temperature AM and PM
for the longest time I thought I had food intolerances that caused all my symptoms and a doc told me that rapid weight gain (3-4 lbs) overnight was am indication of a "wrong" food ingested - that actually helped me and lessened symptoms, if I left out food that caused the rapid weight gain (fluid retention?)
just sharing observations in case it may help someone to give something back maybe Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
Hmm...I don't know Harmony. It does print out in PDF form though. I like having it in excel format b/c it is easier to change the symptoms around if need be.
I need something simple that fits on one page, but other ways may work best for other people.
I do like your idea of keeping a food diary. I may start that. Thanks.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
This might help? Help your memory at least. I can never remember all my symptoms.
POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF LYME DISEASE, EXHAUSTIVE LIST
I can never remember all of mine either! And the dominant symptoms change which is why I change the chart around.
thanks Tincup! Cold hands and feet is actually a BIG issue for me! It was 87 degrees yesterday and I was freezing. But for some reason, I don't have that on my chart. Duh!
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)