Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about lupus:

1. Could my joint pain, rashes or other symptoms be due to lupus? What other conditions could be causing my symptoms?
   
   
2. How is lupus diagnosed? What tests do you recommend for me? What do these tests involve?
   
   
3. What do my test results show? What form of lupus do I have?
   
   
4. Do I also have overlap symptoms of other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma?
   
   
5. What might have caused my lupus?
   
   
6. What is the expected course of my case of case of lupus? Is it temporary or lifelong? Is it likely to come and go, remain steady, improve or worsen?
   
   
7. What are my treatment options? Which do you recommend?
   
   
8. At what point should I notify you if my medication is causing side effects? Does my medication require that I have screening tests of my vision or anything else?
   
   
9. Do I need to see any specialists?
   
   
10. How can I prevent or control flares?
    
    
11. What exercises do you recommend? How can I tell when I should exercise and when I should rest?
    
    
12. Should I make any adjustments in my diet? Should I see a dietitian? Do I need supplements of vitamin D, calcium or anything else?
    
    
13. Do I need to avoid the sun or strong artificial light?
    
    
14. Do I need regular medical appointments even when I'm in remission and feeling fine?
    
    
15. Do you recommend occupational therapy, physical therapy, stress management techniques, support groups or anything else to help me cope?
    
    
16. Should I be monitored for osteoporosis with a DEXA scan or other test? How often?
    
    
17. Is it safe for me to use birth control pills or take estrogen?
    
    
18. Can I have a safe pregnancy with SLE? Is it important for me to time my pregnancy during a long period of remission?
    
    
19. If my spouse or I have lupus, what are the chances that our baby will inherit it?
    
    
20. Is lupus likely to run in my family? Should relatives undergo any testing or monitoring? Can it be prevented?
    
    
21. Can any of my medications cause drug-induced lupus or worsen my systemic lupus?