I am a 26yr old female and I was diagnosed with the disease 3 days ago. I get mild flare ups in my wrists and fingers but very reactive to painkillers (Nurofen) and that was between Sept and Nov last yr. Not had anything sicne then and I have been drinking a glass of milk everyday for past 3 months. Doctor checked my joints and said that they were fine but my blood test showed that the disease is active in my body.

Thing is my mum died of aplastic anemia when I was 2 as a result of taking gold injections to treat her arthritis. So you can imagine my intial shock when the docotr told me. I guess on a comforting note, medicine has advanced alot of the past 25 yrs so I guess I have that on my side. My moto is attack the disease before it attacks me and I am a frim beliver that you are what you eat therefore I am hoping I can control this with my diet as well as medication to keep the disease at bay.

So i guess my question is can I still lead a normal life by making changes where necessary??
I am a vegetarian who rarley eats eggs (eat them once in a blue moon), I drink only socially so like once or twice a month. I dont eat meat. I have 5 portions of fruit and veg everyday as well as almonds. I am also Vitamin B12 deficient and Iron (Ferrtin) deficient.
I am 5 ft 1 and 12 stone so need to lose weight. i have recently taken up running which makes me feel so good and weights and spin class. I really want to continue with these as I need to lose weight.
I have heard that excercsie especially running is meant to be good. I have even read some people have gone into remision with dietry changes and leading active lifestyles.

So I guess my questions are 1) can I continue running 2) can I avoid taking steroids 3) Can I still conceive? 4) what foods should I eat/Avoid?
all help much appriciated