Symptom Diary

IBD can seem like a mystery in the beginning. You and your doctors try to understand your symptoms, figure out the cause and then the best treatment plan. Keeping the Symptom Diary will help to find the triggers causing symptoms like pain or diarrhea.

What you should notice if you have pain

• Where is the pain? Top, where the stomach sits? On her lower right side, near the appendix? Or her left? Is it always the same place? Does it start one place and move?
• How long does it last? Seconds, minutes, hours?
• How often is the pain? Has it changed (was it once a month and now every day)?
• How bad is it? Enough to cause tears? Does it wake you at night or stop you from eating?
• Does anything trigger the pain? Eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, movement, stress? Any particular foods?
• Does anything happen along with the pain? Nausea, diarrhea or a headache–if so does it have the same pattern or a different one?

If You Have Diarrhea, Bleeding, Nausea, or Other Symptoms

• Is there any pattern? Is it worse in the morning? After meals? Is it getting worse?
• How long has it been happening? Days, weeks, months?
• Does anything come first or with the event? Pain, headache, bloating?
• Are there any triggers? Stress, particular foods?

Chart the symptoms, whatever they are, pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, etc. See the example and then download the chart below or keep your notes on a calendar. Keep track of your symptoms until you see your doctor or primary provider.