I started one when I was younger, but I kept forgetting to update it and lost interest. Do you keep one? Do you find it useful? What do you track???

Thanks!

I used to but stopped and now wish I had if only for all the details I keep forgetting as I age. It's more critical in the early diagnostic stages, especially in identifying triggers, food drinks, stress etc.

Ours is such a rare disorder. I realize now, in my 50's,  what a jewel a thorough diary of my 34 years of CH would actually be. :-/

Joe

I've tried as well, and failed. I sort of wish I had, especially before being diagnosed. Now, maybe to see recurring patterns. But honestly, I can't be bothered..

I keep two, one for my CHs, one for my migraines and other headaches. Both are spreadsheets in Excel along with graphs and pivot tables to help analyze patterns.

The CH one is easy, only one entry this year, although the migraine one is over 160 entries this year but that finally is starting to show patterns that influence my treatment. My GP and neurologist both love to see the detail I've collected that otherwise would not be available.

So...time, date, weather, kip, meds taken and possible triggers?

For my CH diary that is the basic info, along with a notes field where I capture anything else that may be of note, the CH duration and a location, e.g. home/work/hotel, etc. I then use Excel formulas to derive data like the day, start hour, etc. which then I graph and put into pivot tables.

For CHs, I get five times as many on a Friday and Saturday as a Tuesday. About 80% are at home, between 8 and 9pm...

For non-CHs I capture a bit more info, including if I'm photophobic or audiophobic, but essentially follow the same process.

Capture as much detail as you like, however if you capture a lot it may become too much to keep up.

Great tips, thanks!

It's also very helpful in sorting out meds, doses, and effectiveness.  Some of these meds take awhile to build up to effective levels - an accurate and detailed journal can help you figure out when relief is coming.  My neuro insists on it, along with daily BP readings when I am on Verapamil.