Yes, you can live a long life with lupus. There are a lot of meds now. It sounds to me you don't have a definite case of lupus now. You have to meet the critera and a positive ANA and achy joints won't likely make you diagnosable, even if you do get lupus down the line. Some people have mild cases, like me. I even went into close to a decades long remission. Have they put you on plaquenil yet. That may help you with both the APS and the achy joints. Please don't scare yourself in advance. There just is no telling until the years go by. At some point my rheumy told me, I think this is your disease and it wont get worse. He was right for a long time, and in fact I got better.

And the one other piece of advice I'd give you is be careful in the sun. Use sunscreen. Don't get burned. Even if lupus is just a possibility. A bad sunburn can put you into a flare, that can mess you up for a long time. So just don't go there.

That the other thing though. The sun has never bothered me and still doesn't.

The reason I say be careful with the sun is that it doesn't bother you until it bothers you. Since you have borderline ANAs, I think it would be wise to avoid getting sunburn. You don't have to live like a vampire, just be cautious. I never had any pain until I had a bad sunburn, but then I had pain forever.

That makes sense. I can still go to the beach and stuff, just wear stronger sunscreen and apply more often?

When the sun isn't bothering me much, I use good sunscreen, bring an umbrella to the beach, am conscious of when the sun is strongest, but I still go to the beach. But I do whatever I can to avoid sunburn, because the reaction I had never completely disappeared. Maybe it would have gotten to me one way or another.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

They do have clothing and such that gives a UV (spf) protection, such as at coolibar.com. I found some (labeled from Rit dye) additive that you can wash into your regular clothing and it lasts for around 20 washings that also may be helpful, it is called Sun Guard. I would also look at the FDA web site to get a clear understanding of the labeling of sun screen, and what the guide lines are, it will help you choose the right sun screen. UV rays are also in fluorescent lights, and I am very sensitive, so even a trip to a grocery store can cause me to flare. It's best to journal activities, food intake, medications, and log any symptoms or changes that you notice, and talk it over with your doctor. The journal will help you better see the patterns, and help you find the best action to take.

I suggest the clothing, because even being in shade, or driving you can be exposed to UV rays. I have lupus that has attacked vital organs, and have APS and ITP, the medications does keep my immune system lower, so the lupus does not continue attacking them. A long life is possible. Maybe read up about lupus at the lupus foundation of America. That will help you with anxiety you may be having about lupus.