Keeping track of how you are doing
Your doctor will want to check on how you are doing from time to
time. In general, here are some things you can do on your own:
-
See your doctor from time to time,
even if you are feeling well.
-
Ask questions and tell your doctor
if you are worried about anything when you visit.
-
Tell
your doctor if there have been any changes since your last
visit. Try using the symptom self-assessment (below) before you
go.
-
Take your medicine, even if you're
feeling well. If you want to change your treatment, discuss this
with your doctor before doing so on your own.
-
Talk to your doctor about your
medicine and how you are taking it. Be sure to check with him or
her before taking any over-the-counter medicines (eg, NSAIDs or
painkillers), herbal remedies or dietary supplements, as these
may affect how well your medicine works or may affect your
symptoms.
-
Exercise regularly and eat a healthy
diet
In between doctor visits, it is important that you follow your
management plan and know what to do if a problem comes up.
If you have any of these problems, contact your doctor as soon as
possible:
-
Blood in your poo
-
Changes in poo that last for more
than 10 days
-
Strong belly cramps or pain
-
Very runny poo (diarrhoea) or bloody
diarrhoea
-
Weight loss with no known reason
-
Unexplained fever lasting more than
3-4 days
-
Feeling very tired (fatigue)
-
Not feeling hungry (loss of
appetite)
-
Feeling sick to the stomache, dizzy
or throwing up for no known reason (nausea or vomiting)
1. Overall, how have you felt?
Pretty good / A little worse than usual / Bad /
Very Bad / Terrible
2. Have you missed
school/sports/other activities? Yes / No
How many days in the last week?
How often has your illness kept you from going out with friends or
family?
Have you had to spend any days in bed? If yes, how many?
When were you last unwell from your Crohn's disease or ulcerative
colitis?
3.
Symptoms - have you had any of these problems?
Not eating Yes / No
Feeling sick to the stomach Yes / No
Throwing up Yes / No
Very tired Yes / No
Sores inside the mouth Yes / No
High temperature (fever) Yes / No
Pain or soreness in joints Yes / No
Loss of weight Yes / No
Feeling very sad or down Yes / No
4.
Belly pain?
None / Mild / Moderate / Severe
If you had belly pain, how often?
Where is the pain?
Tips to try for cramping/ gas/ wind:
-
It may help to adjust your diet and
avoid 'gassy' foods such as baked beans, onions, cabbage and
whole grains. Also try cutting out hot spicy food and fruit or
vegetable skins. Think about any food intolerances such as milk
or wheat. It may also help to eat less high-fibre foods such as
nuts, seeds, corn, popcorn and various Chinese vegetables.
However, it is important to eat a balanced diet. If cutting out
a food doesn't help, then reinstate it later.
-
Try eating smaller meals (5-6)
throughout the day rather than fewer (2-3) larger meals.
-
Try to take a 30-minute break after
eating to digest your food.
5. Poo
Number per day
Solid Yes / No
Runny Yes / No
Tips to try for managing runny poo (diarrhoea):
-
Try not to eat high fibre foods or
spicy, hot or refrigerated foods, unripe or dried fruit or fried
food. Try not to drink anything with caffeine in it.
-
Try chicken and rice soup, carrot
soup, zinc and vitamin A supplements as they may also help.
-
Your doctor may suggest trying other
medicines such as anti-diarrhoeal drugs (eg, loperamide),
antispasmodic drugs, bulking agents or bile salt drugs to help
slow down your bowels. If you are feeling unwell, however, check
with your doctor before taking any medicines, even those
available over-the-counter.
-
Remember to drink as much as
possible.
Any blood? Yes / No
Do you have to use the toilet at night? Yes / No
Do you feel the need to go but can't? Yes / No
Have you had any mistakes? Yes / No
6. Medications
What medicine(s) are you taking? Yes / No
How often do you take your medicine? Yes / No
Has it helped? Yes / No
Have you had any problems with your medicine? Yes / No
How often do you miss taking your medicine? Yes / No
How happy are you that your medicine is helping you? Yes / No
Are you taking any over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements,
herbal remedies or complementary medicines? Yes / No