Pain Diaries

Describing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) pain can be difficult. Some people find it challenging to talk about IC/BPS pain, to find just the right words to describe what their pain feels like, to remember when IC/BPS pain was at its worst, or when they last felt their best. However, your healthcare provider needs detailed information about your IC/BPS pain to plot out its causes and triggers and build a treatment plan. Keeping an IC/BPS pain diary can help you keep track of your pain, enhance communication with your healthcare providers, and document progress.

To get started, simply download a free pain diary from the internet or create your own. Links to four examples of pain diaries can be found below:

• American Cancer Society Pain Diary
• Resource Guide for People With Pain
• AGS Foundation Daily Pain Diary

Once you have your pain diary, start to record the following:

• where in your body you feel pain
• when the pain occurs (morning/evening/constant)
• the intensity of the pain
• the frequency of episodes
• how long each pain episode lasts
• what activities or times of day are associated with the pain (what activities make it worse or better/when it flares or lessens)
• which pain medications you’re taking (and how frequently)
• whether you get pain relief from a medication (and for how long)

Consistency is the key. If you make notes in your diary on a regular basis (daily or several times a week), you’ll have a complete picture of your pain experience and patterns will emerge.