Being in very much the same circumstances, you have my most heartfelt sympathy... Lupus is just one of many many malfunctions of the auto-immune system. The last information I read on Discoid Lupus is that there is a very small chance of it 'morphing' into the much more life threatening SLE. I always thought I had discoid lupus because of my extreme sun sensitivity and developing round bright red spots on my face. They were not painful, but were very hot when they first erupted. Then they would develop sort of 'scab' and peel off. But all my ANA tests come back negative.... Your joint pain may be osteoarthritis and your muscle pain may be polymyalgia rheumatica. The blood test for PMR is called an ESR test. A true physical symptom is that your arms ache or hurt when you raise them above your head. The medication for PMR is a prednisone regime, but it will just stop the inflammation of the blood vessels that feed your muscles. My doctor said prednisone would cure my PMR, but it did not. It resides in my body and 'flares' a couple of times a year. The pain is excruciating (like someone stabbing my upper arms). I have done all kinds research on the 'net' and have come to believe that ALL of these maladies are actually sub-groups/symptoms of fibromyalgia. Google 'fibromyalgia' and find a reliable site and read up on it. I do believe you will agree with me. Fibromyalgia is much more understood today...... The bad news is there is no cure -- just painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills to make life bearable. The only advice I can offer is my own personal mantra and that is "I just keep on keeping on". Hang in there chrisbouch!