Hello M,
I am glad to know that your ulcerative colitis (UC) is in remission. This is likely the result of many factors at play including the use of Pentasa which helps to reduce the level of inflammation in your colon. Besides controlling the inflammation, Pentasa is known to help reduce the risk of colon cancer development in patients with UC.
There are numerous dietary information and recommendations you can find online regarding UC. These diet plans aim to reduce symptoms but none has proven conclusively to prevent, treat or change the natural course of UC. Dietary plan containing Omega-3 for instance, may aid in reducing inflammation although the overall benefit is still debatable.
Keeping a food diary and avoiding certain food which aggravates your symptoms is the right thing to do. Having said that, I would like to advise against an overtly restricting diet. This is because proper and adequate nutrient is important for the colon to heal well. In general, a regular intake of calcium with vitamin D may help to maintain a healthy set of bones. At times, certain probiotics may also help with reducing your symptoms.
May I suggest you have an in-depth discussion with your specialist to decide if you should switch your treatment to one that may help to control your joint pain as well. Personally, I will advise my patients to continue their treatment to avoid any nasty flare of colitis which may subject them to a higher risk of developing colon cancer in the long run.
-Dr Quan
