What is the purpose of this Chronic Illness symptom tracking workbook?
The My Chronic Illness Binder is designed to help you organize your medical history, medications, symptoms, test results, appointments, and flare information in one place. It provides a structured chronic illness organizer and symptom tracker to help you keep your health information organized and communicate more clearly with your healthcare providers. This workbook is for informational and organizational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Is this workbook medical advice?
No. The My Chronic Illness Binder is an organizational tool designed to help you track symptoms, document your medical history, organize health information, and prepare for conversations with healthcare providers; it does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or medical opinions. The information and worksheets in this chronic illness organizer are for general informational and organizational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or manage any medical condition.
The workbook does not replace a doctor, nurse, specialist, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional, and it does not establish a healthcare provider-patient relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional for questions about your individual health, symptoms, medications, diagnosis, or treatment, and do not use this workbook as a substitute for professional medical care.
Can I print this workbook?
Yes. The My Chronic Illness Binder is designed to be printed at home or through a professional printing service for your personal use. You may print copies for yourself, but the workbook may not be copied, resold, redistributed, shared publicly, or used to create another product without permission from the copyright owner.
What chronic illnesses is it for?
The My Chronic Illness Binder is designed with people managing MCAS, POTS, dysautonomia, EDS, and other chronic illnesses in mind. Its flexible symptom tracker, medical history pages, medication tracking, appointment notes, and health information sections can be used to organize information for many different chronic health conditions.
How do I download the workbook?
After purchasing the My Chronic Illness Binder, you will receive immediate access to the downloadable PDF once your payment is processed. Wix provides a download link in your confirmation email and on the Thank You page, allowing you to save the chronic illness workbook to your device and print it for personal use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions regarding symptom tracking, medical organization, and chronic illness management.
What are the symptoms of MCAS?
Symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can vary from person to person and may involve multiple areas of the body, including the skin, digestive system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system. Learning about the possible symptoms and keeping track of your own patterns can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare provider. For more information about MCAS symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, visit Cleveland Clinic’s medical overview. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/mast-cell-activation-syndrome
What does a MCAS flare feel like?
An MCAS flare can feel different from person to person and may involve a variety of symptoms affecting different parts of the body. Some people experience symptoms such as flushing, itching, hives, swelling, digestive symptoms, dizziness or changes in heart rate or blood pressure, but experiences can vary widely. For more information about MCAS flares and symptoms, including how they may present, see the patient information from Lavender Spectrum Health. https://www.lavenderspectrumhealth.com/for-patients/services/mcas
What are the most common triggers for MCAS?
Common MCAS triggers can vary widely from person to person, and something that causes symptoms for one person may not affect another. Learning about common mast cell activation triggers and tracking your own symptoms may help you document patterns to discuss with your healthcare provider. For more information about common MCAS triggers, visit The Mast Cell Disease Society’s guide to symptoms and triggers. https://tmsforacure.org/signs-symptoms-triggers/symptoms-and-triggers-of-mast-cell-activation
How to tell if you have MCAS or histamine intolerance?
MCAS and histamine intolerance can have overlapping symptoms, which can make the two difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone. Understanding the differences and keeping an organized record of your symptoms, reactions, and possible triggers can help you have a more informed discussion with your healthcare provider. For more information about the differences between MCAS and histamine intolerance, visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation. https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundation.org/blog/distinguishing-between-histamine-intolerance-and-mcas
Dysautonomia affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls many automatic body functions, and symptoms can vary depending on the type of dysautonomia and the individual. Symptoms may range from mild to more disruptive, so learning about common dysautonomia symptoms can help you better understand what you are experiencing and discuss it with your healthcare provider. For more information about dysautonomia signs and symptoms, visit Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6004-dysautonomia
What are the symptoms of severe dysautonomia?
A dysautonomia flare or episode can feel different from person to person and may depend on the type of dysautonomia involved. Symptoms can affect multiple body systems, so learning about common dysautonomia flare symptoms may help you recognize patterns and discuss them with your healthcare provider. For more information about what a dysautonomia flare or episode can feel like, visit Dysautonomia Expert. https://dysautonomiaexpert.com/what-does-a-dysautonomia-flare-up-feel-like/
What does a dysautonomia flare feel like?
POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a type of dysautonomia, meaning it involves dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Dysautonomia includes several different conditions, so POTS and dysautonomia are not the same thing, although POTS falls within the broader category of dysautonomia. For more information about POTS and how it relates to dysautonomia, visit Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots
Are dysautonomia and POTS the same thing?
Dysautonomia episode triggers can vary from person to person and may depend on the type of dysautonomia involved. Learning about potential triggers and tracking symptoms may help you identify patterns to discuss with your healthcare provider. For more information about dysautonomia, symptoms and potential triggers, visit The Dysautonomia Project. https://thedysautonomiaproject.org/dysautonomia/
What can trigger dysautonomia episodes?
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, and symptoms can vary depending on the specific type. Common features can include joint hypermobility, joint instability, stretchy or fragile skin, easy bruising, and chronic pain, although not everyone with EDS experiences the same symptoms. For more information about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome symptoms and the different types of EDS, visit the NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/
What are the specific symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) refers to a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that can affect the skin, joints, blood vessels, and other parts of the body. There are several types of EDS, with different features and symptoms associated with each type. For more information about EDS, the different types, and how it can affect the body, visit The Ehlers-Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) includes multiple distinct types, each associated with different genetic and clinical features. The types of EDS can differ in their effects on connective tissue, joints, skin, blood vessels, and other parts of the body. For more information about the different types of EDS and their features, visit EDS Clinic. https://www.eds.clinic/articles/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-eds-types
What are the different types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Helpful Resources
Below are links to helpful chronic illness resources, including evidence-based health information, clinical research, reputable medical organizations, and printable resources. These resources are provided to help you learn more about your health, explore information from reputable sources, and find additional tools that may be useful when organizing and managing your health information.
The Mast Cell Disease Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing multi-faceted support to patients, families and medical professionals with trusted resources, community, and research to help you understand, manage, and live fully with mast cell diseases. The Mast Cell Disease Society.
The Ehlers–Danlos Society is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to patient support, scientific research, advocacy, and increasing awareness for the Ehlers–Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorder. The Ehlers–Danlos Society
The Dysautonomia Project is the global leader in dysautonomia education providing education to patients, providers, and communities. The Dysautonomia Project