The Symptom Journal

“White coat syndrome” can leave you stumbling over your words and cause you to forget the important things you wanted to tell and ask the doctor. What to do? Keep a symptom journal. A few days before your appointment, read through your journal looking for patterns. Write that summary down and bring two copies to your appointment-one for you and one for the doctor.

What should you write in your journal? Keep track of when you take your meds, any unusual reactions, changes in routine or diet, and your symptoms. In your summary be sure to cover these points:

• When did you first notice the symptom?
• How long does the symptom usually last?
• How often have you experienced this symptom since your last appointment
• What makes it worse?
• What makes it better?
• Does the symptom prevent you from completing activities of daily living? In what way(s)?
• Rate the severity of the symptom on a scale of 1 to 10. (10 being the worst.)
• Describe the symptom as clearly as you can. For example, if you have pain describe it as sharp, dull, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, running down your arm, cramping, etc.
  

The doctor will not read your whole journal! Your work as a patient is to report symptoms clearly, concisely, and accurately. The doctor’s work is to pay attention to those symptoms and use that information in diagnosis and treatment. It’s all about team work!