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Chronic illness symptom diary: a free template to bring to your doctor
The simplest way to make symptoms hard to dismiss is one minute a day: score each symptom from 0 to 10, add one line about what happened, and fill in a short summary the night before an appointment. A dated record shows patterns that are easy to miss, and gives you something concrete to point to when you are tired of not being believed.
Urgent first. If something feels different from your usual symptoms, or your team told you to watch for a specific sign, do not wait for the diary: contact them or emergency services straight away.
Who it is for
People living with a chronic condition, such as POTS, ME/CFS, long covid or hEDS, and the people who help them keep track. It works for any condition where symptoms change from day to day.
What to track
Score each one from 0 (none) to 10 (worst) every day: energy (0 = none), a crash after effort, dizziness on standing, heart racing, brain fog, pain, sleep, gut symptoms, mood or anxiety, and anything else your doctor asked you to watch.
How to use it
- Fill in the weekly grid each evening. It takes about a minute. Leave blank what does not apply.
- Write one line a day: what happened, what helped, what made it worse.
- Write your questions down when they come. You will not remember them in the waiting room.
- The night before your appointment, fill in the summary: your 3 worst symptoms since last time, what changed and when, what you have tried and whether it helped, and your 3 top questions for your doctor.
- Bring it to every appointment. Read it out loud if you need to.
Why a dated record helps
"I have been feeling bad" is easy to move past. "Energy at 2 out of 10 for four days, worse the day after I went out, better after resting" is specific. Doctors work with patterns, and a record gives them one without you having to remember everything on the day.
Keep your care team's details in one place
The diary has a page for your specialist or clinic, specialist nurse, GP, out-of-hours number, pharmacy, and your next appointment.
App or notebook?
A notebook needs no setup and stays private. An app makes it easier to spot patterns and share an organised summary. Use whichever you will actually keep up: a diary you fill in every day beats a perfect one you abandon.
Frequently asked questions
How do I show my symptom diary to my doctor?
Bring a short, dated summary with your 3 worst symptoms and what changed. Offer to leave a copy, or read the key lines out loud.
What if my tests are normal but I still feel unwell?
Keep tracking. A record of how you feel over time can help the conversation with your doctor, who can tell you what it means for you.
Should I track on days I feel fine?
Yes. Good days show what is different from bad days and give your doctor a fuller picture.
Can I use this diary for more than one condition?
Yes. Use the "other" row for any symptom you or your doctor want to follow.
For information only, not medical advice. Mima does not give medical advice and does not replace your care team. This page is for information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about your own situation.