writer's block

[letslaugh63]

i'm on here qiute a lot as it the only place i get answers .my friend suggests i start a diary and i know a few of you ladies do.i tried(teest run)for a few couple days with intentions starting properly today.i was never out of it pain here ache there would be ok but sometimes find it hard to describe in 1 word some of the sensatations.I think it was e really good idea but do i have to write every detail and is it best to write times and how can i shorten things as the day goes on my fingers hurt and get sensitive and while not very painful uncomfortable to hold pen.thought bout doing on comp but my left arm does give me pain through typing so don't want do to it x

[lupydragon]

One of the things I do when writing in my diary is to write the sympton once and then just draw arrows to next date it happens, Another thing to do is use abreviations keeping a note of what they are at the begining of diary is also helpfull ( saves me forgetting, and if some new happens I try and work out best abreviation to describe it and of course write it down ) I use things like RH = right hand, MS = muscle spasam SJ = swollen joint, fingers are described as RH 1, 2, 3, 4 RHt = right thumb.and so on, I also split my flare ups into 4 groups,

Grumbles to me are anything that is uncomforatable. you know its there but you can get on with things,

Aches are slighty more noticable but dont need painkillers

Painfull flares are ones that I have to take painkillers for, resticted movement / swollen / and more painfull than just an ache

Hurts are flare ups that the painkillers dont have much effect on, leaving me very fatigued, wanting to cry ( and do )

Again using the above I dont have to write much in the diary for example RW - grumbles to me means that my right wrist has a dull ache that I know is there but can still do things throughout the day

Providing you know what you mean by your abrevaitions you can pass this on to the Dr's or Rheumie

[Purpletop]

I write down my symptoms either as they occur or in the evening. I also give scores on a scale from 1 to 10, just like in hospital. This way I can see whether symptoms have improved or the reverse. If I change my medication I also write down the dosage, just so I can compare with symptoms before taking it. If questions come into my mind for my rheumatologist, I write them at the end of the notebook, so I have them in one place when I go see him.

[Purpletop]

I write down my symptoms either as they occur or in the evening. I also give scores on a scale from 1 to 10, just like in hospital. This way I can see whether symptoms have improved or the reverse. If I change my medication I also write down the dosage, just so I can compare with symptoms before taking it. If questions come into my mind for my rheumatologist, I write them at the end of the notebook, so I have them in one place when I go see him.

[letslaugh63]

ty girls all very helpful x

[Jaxqueline]

Yes, great idea I also keep a record of symptoms in an attempt to find a trigger and I will start doing the abreviations which will help.

The other thing I do is to try and write some positive things as well eg whenever I feel good, or capable or any little achievements I make. Helps to give me a boost.

[SLE15]

Hello letslaugh63. If you are having trouble writing/ holding a pen, have you thought about recording yourself, or just your voice if you're camera-shy?

Just a thought. All the best to you.xxx