I think your doctor is giving you good advice. The only issue is that you *might* get sick, which is also true for everyone alive. At the same time, this *might* be nothing at all. Why jump on the scary/awful "might" instead of the positive one?

I agree with Scott. Scleroderma is a rare disease that is very difficult to diagnose. Even if you have a positive test for the antibodies, you are not manifesting physical signs or symptoms. So, it is possible that sometime in the future you may develop scleroderma, but you also may never manifest the disease. You cannot diagnose it by one blood test.

http://www.sclero.org/medical/...-to-z.html#diagnosis

I also had chronic low back (sacroiliac) pain and foot pain (Achilles tendinitis) that ultimately sent me to a rheumatologist. All my antibody tests were negative, but I was still diagnosed with enteropathic arthritis with enthesitis (spondylitis in the same class as ankylosing spondylitis). The diagnosis was made based upon my presentation and medical history. Long story short, I was placed on biologics and my life has been better for it! That was 10 years ago and I think the treatment has helped prevent much progression of the disease.

So, I would embrace what your rheumatologist tells you, while still being alert to new symptoms. My point is that with your history, other things may be going on and don't let a red herring lead you in the wrong direction.

Jan