Pain journal
 

OK I am suposed to be writting a pain journal and I cant seem to keep at it.. I'll write someting when its bad.. and then not seem to get back to the journal.. it's like a block or something.

I am suposed to be writing a daily pain journal for my pain doc at the lidocaine clinic and I cant seem to stick with it at all.

Any hints or tips?
Thanks,
Sandra.

Idea
 

Sandra,

Instead of trying to "write" and dealing with writers block, taking the time, etc., why not put the pain into a chart. This is what I have done because it's fast. (I am also pretty adept at Microsoft Excel, which makes it real easy.)

1) Define areas of pain that apply to you, like headache, swollen leg (left), swollen leg (right), sensitivity (name area), joint ache (name area) and so on.

2) On the other "axis" of the chart, put down times of day - morning, noon evening, bedtime, middle of night - or whatever works for you.

3) For each area/time combination you can "rate" the pain. Use 1 - 10 if you like or A - B- C- D - F. Whatever works for you.

This is easy to fill out each day or throughout the day. Pretty soon a pattern may emerge or even demonstrate the lack of a pattern. After a while, you could even translate all of these "grades" into a prose for your diary, This chart will remember for you how your ankles were last Tuesday.

I hope this is clear. I have used this throughout the years and always find it easy, even when I forget for a day or two.

Mike

(((sandra)))

many here at nt use their posts as a journal. we can start a check in type of thread on rsd. then all you do is go back and check your posts. you can copy the info.

Great ideas.. I do look back on my posts to see the chronological order of my spread etc, because I posted here and at the BT's from day 1 over 3 years ago.. but I am suposto be doing a daily journal for my lidocaine infusions and I havent written much lately anywhere let alone the journal I am suposto be writing in.

The graph or chart sounds very interesting.. I think I may play around with that idea some.. It is amasing how much stress it can put on your body knowing that you are not doing something that you may get heck for.. but ity's almost like I can't seem to help it.. I do it for a day and forget again, then remember and think.. I will do it later.. and it dosnt get done..

Thanks again.. I feel kinda silly:o
Sandra