Lupus Community

If you're new to the Lupus Community, we welcome you! Sometimes coming to a new forum type of community where you ask and answer questions can be confusing. Where and how should you ask your question to invite the most engagement?

Here are few tips to get the best response to your question on the Lupus Community:

1. If you have a question, please post it as a new discussion...being specific in your title as to your subject matter.
2. The post will be read by the Community Members, by the Moderator (me), and by our Health Expert, Dr. Zelman. You will receive a response from one or all of us.
3. If you still have questions or would like the Health Expert's direct advice, simply state that in a polite reply.
4. If the Expert does not respond then it is probably due to the position it puts him in by offering a "second opinion".
5. Your best bet THEN would be to repost your question omitting any reference to what your regular doctor may have advised. This way Dr. Zelman is not put in the position of contradicting another professional's opinion.

Dr. Zelman is somewhat particular about which questions/posts he responds to. His purpose for this is to provide a "teaching experience".

Dr. Z does check the board several times a week, however he will not respond to any questions that might put him in the position of providing a second opinion to someone's regular physician. This is to protect everyone involved.

Without examining a patient himself, there is no way Dr. Z could give an accurate opinion, but he can provide tips on what may help, or what questions you should ask your doctor.

There may be situations where a new visitor may have had a bad experience somewhere else with receiving advice that wasn't well grounded with experience. In that case they may be looking for an actual MD just for the trust factor.

However, a polite response or a "thanks, but I'd also like to hear what the Health Expert's opinion is" would suffice.

Member experiences are very valuable to understand real life coping techniques that have worked (or not worked) for an actual individual...rather than just reading a bunch of medical jargon.

I hope that helps clarify. Just remember that we are a community. We all have rough days, but we are still here to support and be supported. It's a give and take, and respect is mandatory for your post to remain showing.

There you have it! Now go ahead an post away!! (Just scroll to the top & find the "Post Now" button & click "Discussion")

Yours In Health,

~Andie, Community Moderator