Managing conditions - real value in a daily log

[Sunnie2day]

I have multiple conditions, mostly heart-related. One thing I've found and continue to find exceptionally useful is a comprehensive daily log. I have it on a printable spreadsheet - the hard copy is used to chart twice-daily vitals (ox-sats and heart-rate, BP, body temperature), indoor and outdoor temp and humidity, symptoms/environmental conditions/apparent triggers, and methods used to resolve (usually angina but also pericardial symptoms when in an acute flare).

My consultants like the spreadsheet, the cardiologist was getting it emailed to him once a week during an acute recurrent pericarditis flare, then we went down to once a month once the latest flare cleared. He can 'keep an eye' on things without having to have me in the office or on the other end of a telephone visit.

Very helpful - I haven't been feeling super the past week and being able to refer to the spreadsheet has helped me recognise both angina and pericardial symptoms are being triggered by in-outdoor temps and humidity. I go a bit complacent about that spreadsheet logging but it is SO helpful when I can grab the clipboard and scan it to see if I can work out what is causing my latest mini-wobble.

Surely I'm not the only person who keeps that detailed a log - am I?

[cowparsley]

Sunny,that`s amazing.Wouldn`t have a clue where to start but it does sound a very good idea.I just blame everything on the weather!xx

[Sunnie2day in reply to cowparsley]

All I do is write down the morning and early evening vitals, and if any of my conditions are playing up and what seems to help. My first sheet used the following columns, I've since added body temperature and a few other adjustments but the ones I'm posting here should be a good starter for you to use - even an A4 sheet with hand-ruled columns is helpful, I've found:

Date dy/mo/yr

Weight as lbs

BP am/pm

Angina felt

GTN used

Exercise miles

In/out air temp & humidity

Stress inducers

[cowparsley in reply to Sunnie2day]

Will do my best but I`m not a very organized person.Will let you know xx

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

No, you're not alone! I do as well. I originally started keeping stats after my heart attack, initially to record weight loss, then slowly expanded it, I now record BP, heart rate, SpO2, weight, sleep pattern, amount of exercise (the last 2 via a smartwatch). I'm currently completely asymptomatic so there's probably no real reason for me to record this information but I do find it a useful tool to ensure I don't start slipping in bad old habits, and if something does start to go wrong hopefully I'll spot that things aren't as they should be.

[Dockdog]

Hello Sunnie, I used to keep a log too of BP, HR, Oxygen, etc. I plotted it against changes of medication to see if Digoxin was an improvement over bisopropol. My GP was not interested, cardiologist mildly so. In the end I gave it up as I have not seen any benefits developing from the meds to improve my health. If you are seeing a positive point to it then I am pleased for you. I think it is a good idea but only if the so called experts take note of your efforts. Take care!

[Smileyian]

I am sure you are not Sunnie2day and how helpful for you and your doctors for easy reference. Great idea. I do hope you are generally ok and enjoying the milder weather. Oh well, off to walk my doggie before it gets too hot here in singapore. Xx

[bantam12]

My late husband logged everything, he had multiple health problems so he felt it was useful but the impact of it was that it was all he focused on which was not good for him.

[ahk59]

That's what I call organized,hope you start to feel better soon x

[Hidden]

Hi Sunnie, I had pericarditis diagnosed about 4 months ago which I think was caused by the Pfizer jab. I'm sorry to hear that you say you get recurrent flare ups. Are these chest pains or are there other symptoms as well?

[Hidden]

I was rushed into the Royal Free with a suspected heart attack but after tests they diagnosed pericarditis. I've just turned 66. The consultant said it was an auto immune response to a virus & had I been ill in the past two weeks. This was on 30 March this year. I said I'd been fine & hadn't had a cold (covid?) for about 12 months or so. Well I'd had the first Pfizer jab about 6 weeks previously & he said it can't be that. I've since read that side effects can occur up to 7 weeks after the jab. I think Pfizer caused it as there are now a lot of reports worldwide of it causing heart inflammation. I haven't had a second jab and I don't intend to have any more either!

[Hidden]

I think the same way you do. I'm not an anti-vax either as it appears to work well for most people. I know someone in the pharma business in his 30s & he says vaccines should be tested for 5 years & he's not having it. The politics is all must have the jab and if you happen to be one of the relatively few who get seriously ill or die, then too bad. I'll just stay a recluse.

[Hidden]

I was just in for the day for tests on 30 March & went home later that day. I was prescribed colchicine for 3 months which seems to have worked well as far as I can tell. I'm having an Echo in a couple of weeks.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear. I hope you make a full recovery.