How to Keep a Symptom Diary

How a Written Record Can Maximize Recovery

(LifeWire) - Chemotherapy and radiation, which are meant to obliterate cancer, can take a heavy toll on the rest of your body. By keeping a symptom diary during your diagnosis and treatment, you can help your doctor be aware of the side effects that are bothering you, such as nausea, or pain and fever, which could signal an infection.

What Is a Symptom Diary?

Your symptom diary should be a record of how you feel each day, even when you are symptom-free. According to the American Cancer Society, patients should record everything from fatigue to skin irritation to fevers and chills.

Make sure you talk to your oncologist about your side effects and symptoms that warrant a phone call to the doctor's office and a trip to the emergency room. Record these in a place that's easy to find. Don't be afraid to call or go in if you experience any of the symptoms your doctor mentions.

Your journal is also a place to jot down any questions and concerns you have along the way. It can be difficult to remember these concerns if you don't jot them down, and your diary is a perfect place to record them. Make a note and bring the journal in for your regular appointments. Communication is important to a healthy doctor-patient relationship, so don't be afraid to pose your questions.

Why Keep a Symptom Diary?

The most important reason to keep a symptom diary is your health and well-being. These notes can help your doctor be aware of and treat your side effects and symptoms. For example, after reading your journal, your doctor might prescribe anti-nausea medication. Or if you are experiencing fatigue, he may also order blood tests to rule out other conditions, like anemia. The diary may also help your physician catch an infection, which can be serious for cancer patients.

You might also use your journal as a way to share information and learn from others with cancer. If you learn you are having a problem with fatigue at specific times, you may want to talk to people in a cancer support group or through an online forum about ways to deal with it. Then you can also share these tips and the advice you learn with others.

How Do I Get Started?

There are a variety of ways to start a symptom journal. You could simply pick up a blank notebook or you can download a sample diary from the American Cancer Society, which offers diaries specific to those patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and interferon, or interleukin treatments. The society also offers a downloadable pain diary.

Your diary should include symptoms resulting from your treatment, including fatigue, pain, fever, chills, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, constipation, difficulty swallowing and skin irritations. If you'd rather start your own diary, take a look at the American Cancer Society forms for ideas.

There is no need to write in your diary every hour. Just keep your journal at your bedside and make some notes before you turn out the light.  Regardless of how you choose to create your diary, leave space for any questions or concerns.

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