For the past several months, I have been experiencing bouts of nausea. It is intermittent, but seems to pick up in the late afternoon/early evening. Before you jump to the “bun in the oven” theory, know that I have heard it many times – I am on birth control and am experiencing normal periods. I am also a smoker and have started gagging while smoking. As you can imagine, this has greatly lessened my desire to smoke, so I am working on quitting.
About a month ago, I went through a three week period during which I started to have major constipation. I was feeling a constant need to relieve my bowels, but nothing would come out when I would try to go. Much straining ensued and my stomach became distended. I was constantly uncomfortable. I started taking laxatives and would have 1 bowel movement the following morning, but it didn’t amount to much. My stools varied in color and were much smaller than I am used to. I also tried a mineral oil enema, but all that came out was the oil.
At that point, my insurance had about two months before it kicked in, so I went to a Walgreens Take Care Clinic and the nurse practitioner recommended Align, a digestive probiotic. (She wanted me to have some further tests done but said I could wait until my insurance kicked in unless I started experiencing pain. She also mentioned ulcerative colitis?) I have been taking Align for about a month now and it seems to have helped with my constipation, but now I am experiencing the nausea again, coupled with mild heartburn.
The new treat that has me a bit worried? I’ve also started spotting. This isn’t bright red blood, it’s very pale in color, like it’s mixed with a whitish substance. Again, I’m not pregnant – I’m religious about taking my pill and have no other symptoms of pregnancy. This has been going on for at least four months now, so I would expect to experience some other symptoms. I’m not due for my period for another 2 weeks and am very regular. This is weird.
I have a family history of uterine cancer, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease and diverticulitis. About 4 years ago, I had part of my cervix removed (via a LEEP procedure) due to “moderate dysplasia”. I don’t think I am a hypochondriac and am generally a very healthy 27 y/o. WHAT is going on with me? Can I continue to wait to see a doctor? I have a month to the day until my insurance kicks in and can’t afford to pay for expensive testing unless the need is absolutely dire.