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If you’re living with MS, you’re probably juggling a lot. Between managing symptoms, doctor visits, family life, and everything else, the idea of adding a symptom tracker can feel like one more thing to do. I get it. I’ve felt the same way. But here’s what changed for me: I stopped seeing it as just another task and started using it as a tool to actually feel better.

What Is a Symptom Tracker?

A symptom tracker is simply a way to record how you’re feeling. You jot down the symptoms you experience each day, what you ate, how you slept, and any other wellness habits that may impact your health. It can be a journal, a spreadsheet, or a printed page on your nightstand. You choose what works for you.

Why Track Symptoms?

MS is unpredictable. You can feel fine one day and struggle the next. And when your doctor asks how you’ve been over the past few months, it can be hard to remember. A tracker helps you capture the details so you can see what’s really going on.

The benefits go beyond data. A tracker helps you:

• Spot patterns and triggers
• See the subtle progress that might otherwise go unnoticed
• Stay accountable to your wellness plan
• Bring clarity to your doctor visits

Without tracking, it’s easy to second-guess whether something you tried actually helped. With tracking, you can see your progress with your own eyes.

Track Wellness, Not Just Symptoms

Traditional symptom trackers focus only on what’s wrong. That can be discouraging. I wanted something more empowering, so I created a wellness tracker instead. It includes symptoms, yes, but also habits that support healing.

The shift from symptom to wellness is simple but powerful. It helps you focus on what you can do to feel better.

What Should You Track?

Track what matters to you. For many of us with MS, that includes:

• Food: No need to log every bite. Just make simple notes about what you ate.
• Sleep: Hours and quality of sleep.
• Elimination: Your poop says a lot about your gut health. Note frequency and ease.
• Energy: Track how much energy you had and how strong you felt.
• Exercise: What kind of movement did you do and for how long?
• Unique symptoms: Think migraines, pain, brain fog, or anything specific to your experience.

This combination gives you a full picture of what your body is going through and how your habits affect it.

How to Keep It Simple

The key is to keep it doable. I made my tracker one page so I can complete it in five minutes or less. Some days I write more. Some days I write almost nothing. That’s okay. The consistency matters more than perfection.

Make it easy so it becomes a natural part of your day, not a burden.

What You Gain from Tracking

A tracker gives you awareness. You’ll begin to notice how you’re really feeling and whether you’re following through on your wellness plan. It also helps you spot trends. Maybe cutting out gluten improves your energy. Maybe better sleep reduces migraines. You can only see these patterns if you have something to look back on.

It also supports accountability. A tracker becomes a daily check-in with yourself. Are you staying on track? Are you giving your body what it needs?

And perhaps most importantly, it helps you make better use of your doctor visits. Instead of relying on memory, you have clear notes about your symptoms and progress.

Want to Try One?

I created a simple wellness tracker that includes the exact things I’ve found helpful to track. You can get a free copy at alenebrennan.com/tracker. Download it, print it, and try it out for a week.

You might be surprised at how much clarity it gives you.

The Bottom Line

Yes, I used to resist the idea of tracking. It felt like a chore. But now I see it as a way to care for myself, not just manage MS. It helps me feel empowered and in tune with my body.

Start small. Track one or two areas that matter most to you. Keep it short. Keep it honest. And let it help you take one step closer to feeling like yourself again.

Tune into this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast:
🎧 Why Use a Symptom Tracker
Listen now to My MS Podcast.