Anti-bodies found--Kinda scared

So- I ended up in the ER with Iritis, and a week later my eye doc. gave me the blood results after having an extensive conversation about my joint pain. I have experienced it since I was 17. It became a greater concern to me when I was about 20 as it had gotten progressively worse; however, I decided that I just needed to find a way to negotiate with it everyday.
I just sort of live with it, I thought it was normal or that I was just sort of dramatizing it. I experience pain in my left foot, knee, and hip as well as my hands and general lower back pain. She told me that she wanted to refer me to a rheumatologist for further testing.
I am trying to stay positive-reading up on the condition, making a plan of action diet wise and looking into holistic treatments as medications scare the living crap out of me! I am also scared that the doctors will stamp me with a diagnosis and try to take my life from me-tell me to quit my job because it is too stressful on my joints, tell me I have to take all these crazy pills with horrible side effects much worse than the pain and joint damage itself.
I dont want to give up on my life, I dont want to compromise my ethics, I dont want anyone to take care of me.
Kinda scared but staying positive.