© 2011 TSM
So what kind of data do you collect? At the time I started recording data, I was housebound and only out of bed for a limited time each day. My first health record was a few lines on a note pad which contained a quick look at one day. Here’s an example:
Oct 14 Slept 10-7am 10mg Elavil 75mg Voltarin – twice
Ate and helped get kids out door
8-10 rested
10-12 slept
12 ate
1-3 rested
3-4 did some straightening
4-6 rested
6-7 kids and supper
Rested - everyone to bed
I have seen many examples of daily health records on-line – even specific to ME/CFS – which I felt were over the top with data. Some were one or two pages of data PER DAY! Honestly, unless you have sophisticated software to catalogue and analyze data, TOO MUCH data can be overwhelming. And that doesn’t compliment brain fog. For me, the entire idea behind taking the time to collect personal data was to give me something to help see the patterns and thus the successes and failures. By having just enough data focused on each day, I was able to flip back thru the pages and get the trends. Do NOT collect data in a narrative style as in sentences. You won’t be able to scan back thru in order to quickly glean the data points relative to what you’re trying to pattern. But if you have the energy, keeping a separate journal can be a good mental health practice.
A daily health record doesn’t have to be a precise log in the formal style of a white lab coat with a pocket protector. In the beginning, it can be spare. As you begin to use the data, other info points will become obvious to collect per the symptoms or strategies you select to focus on. What data do you collect? Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
Oct 14 Slept 10-7am 10mg Elavil 75mg Voltarin – twice
Ate and helped get kids out door
8-10 rested
10-12 slept
12 ate
1-3 rested
3-4 did some straightening
4-6 rested
6-7 kids and supper
Rested - everyone to bed
I have seen many examples of daily health records on-line – even specific to ME/CFS – which I felt were over the top with data. Some were one or two pages of data PER DAY! Honestly, unless you have sophisticated software to catalogue and analyze data, TOO MUCH data can be overwhelming. And that doesn’t compliment brain fog. For me, the entire idea behind taking the time to collect personal data was to give me something to help see the patterns and thus the successes and failures. By having just enough data focused on each day, I was able to flip back thru the pages and get the trends. Do NOT collect data in a narrative style as in sentences. You won’t be able to scan back thru in order to quickly glean the data points relative to what you’re trying to pattern. But if you have the energy, keeping a separate journal can be a good mental health practice.
A daily health record doesn’t have to be a precise log in the formal style of a white lab coat with a pocket protector. In the beginning, it can be spare. As you begin to use the data, other info points will become obvious to collect per the symptoms or strategies you select to focus on. What data do you collect? Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
RSS Feed
