diagnosed with EED

Two and a half years ago I developed vasculitis, first thought by my doctors to be henoch schonlein purpura.  The condition persisted with various painful flare ups, the rash generally being confined to soles of feet, lower legs, knees, elbows and buttocks.  I was put on dapsone early on by a dermatologist who favoured azathioprine.  Once certain tests came back confirming I could take azathioprine he took me off the dapsone commenting 'I have made you anaemic'.  I had been on the drug for a very short time, and felt ok, I can't remember the dosage.  Azathioprine had no notable effect and I was still on around 20mg on prednisolone daily - I began in August 2003 when the rash first appeared on 40mg and have rarely managed to get down below 20mg - if I have it has only been for a short time.

After azathioprine I tried ciclosporin which made me feel very ill and had no noticeable effect.  I came off this at Christmas 2004 and continued with varying doses of prenisolone, trying to lead a normal life and going for months between painful flare ups.  My condition worsened in May 2005 when flare ups became more frequent and in October 2005 I went on to 100mg of dapsone daily.  The rash improved markedly over the course of two weeks, but then I began to feel unwell, and my urine was turning red.  Eventually I ended up in hospital feeling wquite unwell.  My hb levels had fallen to 10.6 - enough to make me ill - and I was taken off dapsone and the predisolone stepped up to 40mg.  This was in November and in November and December I suffered almost continous pain with the rash spreading for the first time to my hands and up my back on abdomen.  For the first time I felt like a really ill person.

I have just spent the last week in St Thomas's Hospital, London, where I am awaiting the results of biopsies.  However, they are pretty sure it is EED, and I began dapsone again one week ago, this time 50mg, given my previous reaction to the drug.  4 or 5 weeks ago I put myself on a gluten and alcohol free diet, and I intend to do some gentle exercise under the supervision of my husband.  

My questions are these: 

What else can I do to help protect from unwanted side effects?

Is there any evidence to suggest that a gluten free diet might help someone in my position?

Do people really take this strong drug and suffer no side effects?  I feel really quite frightened at the moment and feel that this negativity could compromise any improvement in my condition.  

Any reassurances or advice you can give would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you.  

Beverly