Sorry for the basic question, but how do you actually start one of these diaries?

Ask for the longer appointment slot. Ten minutes is not enough for a complex history and pretending otherwise wastes both your time.

Enteric coatings should not be crushed. The pellets are the delivery mechanism.

I would stop trying to convey how bad it is and start saying what you want them to do.

Same here.

Same here.

Worth repeating that this is not medical advice and the answer often depends on who you are.

A certificate of analysis answers one question and gets quoted as though it answers four.