Preparing questions in advance can help patients and parents to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their or their child’s treatment options. The following questions related to sickle cell anemia may be helpful:

1. Could my pain be due to sickle cell anemia?
   
   
2. What else might be causing my symptoms?
   
   
3. What tests for sickle cell anemia will I undergo, and what do they involve?
   
   
4. How can I determine if I am a carrier?
   
   
5. What do my test results show?
   
   
6. What are my treatment options, and which do you recommend?
   
   
7. Am I at high risk of a stroke? If so, will I need regular blood transfusions?
   
   
8. What other complications of sickle cell anemia might I experience?
   
   
9. How can I prevent these complications?
   
   
10. What are the odds that my children will be born with sickle cell anemia?
    
    
11. Can I prevent passing the gene on to my child?
    
    
12. How can genetic counseling help us in family planning?
    
    
13. Is a cure for sickle cell anemia on the horizon?