Symptom Diaries/Tracking

[_Badger_]

Has anyone found a method that works for tracking symptoms. I really struggle with this because I forget they exist so I don't instantly think "oh I had this symptom I better record it"

Because my respiratory consultant wants to trial new medications to not only see if they can improve my asthma but also to ensure post-nasal drip/reflux aren't at play, it's not even just straight forward asthma symptoms I need to track.

Are their good "multi illness" tracker apps, or does anyone have a good bullet journal spread they use. I don't even really know what I need to record!

Thanks in advance

[Homely2 Administrator]

Redstar9 did a post on in this forum re his smart asthma app 9 days ago, I suggest you look it up, and ask him more about it.

I personally just write it all down on a piece of paper. I am very interested in recording peak flow, because it is closely correlated to my symptoms. So I do it at beginning and end of day pre and post meds. I also just note how the day has gone and possible asthma causes.

For me I have found that since going on alvesco my peak flow during an exacerbation is in the 400s, whereas pre alvesco it was in the 300s. So alvesco works for me.

[_Badger_ in reply to Homely2]

Thanks, I clearly put the wrong words in the search as it didn't come up, will scroll back and look for it.

My peak flow isn't good indicator as I played wind instruments as a teenager and can force air out of my lungs quickly even if I can't do a nice controlled breath so I need to more track what I was doing when symptoms happened etc.

I'm so glad you've found a med that seems to work for you!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to _Badger_]

Just wanted to say hi to a fellow asthmatic wind player! I played the oboe for 10-12 years, starting from when I was 7. It's made my best peak flow much better than predicted, but I somehow hadn't considered it could also be the reason my peak flow isn't a good indicator. I did sadly find I can't play the oboe anymore - it seems to set me off and I just can't really manage it. I've taken up the recorder (bass/tenor/alto) instead.

I've used a variety of apps when I needed to but it was a while ago and not sure I'd recommend any (Asthma MD keeps coming up but I found it an annoying hot mess). You could have a look on the app store - if you have iOS I think there are more options, I haven't looked for a while! From experience, I'd avoid anything that gets too obsessed with your peak flow as some of them do - I'm pretty sure some let you track symptoms without or as well as peak flow.

[PaulRosedene]

I also keep a daily record of my peak flow. I record it first thing in the morning and around 9 pm each evening. I also record events such as a cold that may account for dips in the peak flow, which I find is a reasonable indicator of symptoms. I would also record taking of Ventolin and Pred.

At one time I also used to record when I took my second dose of Symbicort. I found this a very good indicator of tightness of chest. If the chest was tight I would be taking Symbicort at 12 pm. If the chest was good I might forget about Symbicort until 9 pm. I am now on Trimbow and my symptoms and peak flow have improved.