Hi Guys, hope your all OK today. I have got my first appointments coming up with my dermatologist and rheumatologist.

[dglet]

I am not sure what questions I should be asking them. Can you please help me with suggestions. Thank you x

[Diagnosed2012]

Don't be afraid to ask away, anything you don't understand, any big words they come out with. Some clinicians are great and talk to you like a human being. Some are not so good, see you as another line on their patient list, and just want you out of their clinic.

When I was prescribed pills and creams, or was told I'd go for scans and tests, I'd ask them all sorts. Do's and don'ts, side effects to look out for, how long until I'd likely see any benefits, what treatments would be short and long term, what scans actually looked for, would tests be invasive, involve needles and hurt (!!!). And things like, are there other things I could change eg lifestyle, diet, exercise and things to avoid like certain foods, even sunlight or household chemicals.

Everyone's different, so don't be afraid to ask. Even if it means, going over things again and again.

[Elle-26]

My dermatologist was lovely, she was very understanding and now i think she wants to know everything and how I really feel. She writes it in her reports and has helped me the most since my diagnosis. Im due to see my Rheumatologist in November for the first time... just be truthful and tell them everything ... I do believe that they are interested in Lupus too.. as its so varied in the body. My GP doesnt know how to treat me as there is a lack of knowledge ... Sometimes Ive noticed they pass the buck (so to speak) with my symptoms .. GP passes to Dermatologist then passes it to Rheumatologist ... Im sure he will pass it to a Neurologist as Ive now got symptoms of another immune disease (my muscle round my eye has drooped) and get bad muscle pain and spasms ... Now also on steroids short term til Im passed to the right person lol ... x Good luck with it all ... and write down what your symptoms are so you wont forget and also how it makes you feel ( even if it is nothing to do with the bones etc.. they will refer you if they think other symptoms are there) -x-