To start, steer clear of processed, greasy, fatty, or sugary foods. You should also limit gas-making veggies, caffeine, and alcohol. Keeping a food diary of your symptoms also helps because you can make a note of which foods cause flare-ups.
What you eat will also play an important role if you are taking RINVOQ. You should avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with RINVOQ because it can increase your risk of side effects.
Lastly, stress and the digestive system are linked, which means stress can be a flare-up trigger. The good news is, however, that you can take practical steps to manage your stress. Yoga or mindfulness exercises are a great place to start and have a positive impact on pain levels.
Talking to your doctor
Before starting a medication such as RINVOQ, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to ensure it is safe. Not sure where to start?
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.
Tell your HCP if you take:
- Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections
- Rifampicin or phenytoin
- Medicines that affect your immune system
If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your HCP or pharmacist.
Dealing with the chronic pain caused by ulcerative colitis can be challenging and affect your daily life. However, there are a number of ways to treat your pain. Your doctor can help you make the appropriate lifestyle changes and come up with a treatment plan that works best for you.