Journal

[vdub]

I don't know if this would be valuable to anyone or not.....

I've always wanted to keep a journal of how I feel on a daily basis. I started one in a journal book, but that was totally unworkable. So then, I started one using Word. Still not good. Forgot half the time to make an entry.

I think I've broken the code, tho. I use Outlook for e-mail and I open my mail every day without fail. Usually multi times throughtout the day. So I put in a recurring entry in the calendar. When the reminder pops up (at 1800 hrs), I open that instance of the entry and put a short blurb in the notes part and then save it.

Working pretty well.....

[Sangye]

I keep mine in a Word document. Every morning I get up and make an entry before eating breakfast, then check email, etc.... It's a routine now. In the evening I make another quick note or wait until the next morning to do it. It's been a huge help for me in many ways.

[NicShaf]

Putting a reminder in your outlook is a good idea. I actually write mine in a datebook and transfer it to excel once a month...before I forget what my chicken scratch says

[Chris G]

My method is very precise & scientific. I have post-it notes plastered all over my planner. Some day I even hope to organize them. It's just one more task I don't have the energy to do.

[Sangye]

ChrisG, maybe just forget about organizing the past ones-- start a simple Word table and fill it in each day. It takes 1 min in the morning and 1 min in the evening. Even on my worst days I can manage it. The days and weeks and months quickly slip by. You'll really benefit from having this as time goes by. I didn't start it until a year ago (nearly 4 yrs into this adventure). I SO wish I had the notes from before it.

[Psyborg]

I'm pretty awful in the journal thing. I know I should, but it reminds me too much of documentation at work. The lazy side beats the proactive side regularly

[pberggren1]

I started a Journal in the beginning but dropped it pretty quick and restarted a couple of times when I flared but the last couple of years I have not done it at all.

[delorisdoe]

I supose it could be quite beniicial. Besides a few mini flare ups over the years I have been mostly symptom free for the last 7 years. Now that I seem to be no longer in remission I am unable to draw on my own past experinces to figure out what is going on now. All I remeber now is pain and blood. Well and of course bald head and fat face. Good times good times.

[NicShaf]

It's amazing how much you can forget about your symptoms, probably our unconscious way of coping. I have found the journal immensely helpful.

Chris, maybe just get a big calendar on your wall and stick your post-its there...then you don't have to abandon your current journaling method

[Chris G]

I think I've found a method similar to what vdub suggested. I'll give it a try when I have some free time and a burst of energy. LOL

I really have forgotten many of my early symptoms. Fortunately, before diagnosis, I had made a really thorough list of all symptoms past and present.

Now I'm also having bad drug side effects, which I need to keep track of too. Gotta get it in gear and do it!