Keeping personal journal to learn about flares
I was diagnosed with SLE in June 2024 and have been taking hydroxychloroquine since then. It seems to be working. However I am having a flare now and don't know what caused it. Is it possible to figure it out? For that goa;, I'd like to keep a journal. Is there a form that people have successfully used or should I create my own in Excel? Thank you.
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That's a great question and I do hope others will chime in here on what they use/what works best for them.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few articles that may provide some help: https://lupus.net/triggers-flares and https://lupus.net/living/symptom-tracker
I do hope this flare is short-lived and you are able to find some relief soon.
My best, Doreen (Team Member)
I usually keep an actual move, food and mood journal. I write down what I eat, how I moved for the day and how it all made me feel. It’s helps me keep track of all that I’m doing and where my triggers are. It’s always a good idea to track your symptoms so you can gain some sort of control. ~Racquel~ team member 
Hi! I hate that you got to join the “lupus club,” but I’m am glad you found us. We are here to help in any way we can. I noticed one of the others shared the link to the symptom tracker which Is very helpful!! The only thing(s) I would add in regards to pain is:
A. The low and high of your pain every day on the 0-10 pain scale.
B. Where exactly you had pain. If it was in your knees or your back etc. or if it was just generalized pain.
C. What you tried to do to relieve the pain. Whether it be stretches, a hot bath/shower, ibuprofen etc
I got these tips from my disability lawyer. It was something I did every day while I was waiting for my hearing. If you are good at excel you might find it easier to use that. I just got personally do well with spreadsheets so I made a template in word and just used that to begin with. But I ended up switch to a notebook bc having all the loose papers wasn’t ideal. Just try and see what works best for you. Hope that helps, at least a little!
Amber RN, BSN, Team Member
