Odd Potential Imuran Side Effect?

[theOcean]

So, I've been on Imuran since August 2013 and I guess I have an odd question, because I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else online and my GI denies its possibility.

Within a week of starting Imuran, I started to get constipation. My frequency would be normal (once a day, if not once every other day) but my stool would be so hard it would cause anal fissures and bleeding.

I take Restoralax(/Miralax) every other day to help deal with this, but I notice it gradually becomes less effective. I've tried other types of laxative and diet changes and nothing seems to help. This constipation seems so unusual -- and something that I would normally never get -- that I feel like it has to be because of medication, especially since it started so soon after starting Imuran.

Is that a possibility? Has anyone else had bowel problems as a result of Imuran?

Otherwise my only medication is Humira (40mg injected once a week) and I had a colonoscopy recently and have no inflammation, no strictures, and my GI says I'm in remission. I have a fistula with a seton (which will hopefully come out soon), but that doesn't bother me anymore. This is the only thing left that's bothering me!

 

[Essieluv]

Did you have constipation issues before you were diagnosed with Crohn's? Maybe you are just returning to your normal bowel habits, since you are in remission? I don't have experience with Imuran, though, so I'm afraid I can't help you much.

 

[theOcean]

No, I never had constipation before in my life. And when my Crohn's is active, my problem is usually severe D. That's why this is so confusing, and another reason why I'm convinced this has to be caused by medication rather than just diet.