Expert: Norman Solberg - 2/1/2009

Question
Hi,

Something quite odd has been going on with me. For the past three days, I have had terrible gas, felt really bloated, and had a lower backache that would come on after being at work. My left nipple has also occasionally been itchy. I am on Necon 1/35 BC and have been taking it continuously for six weeks.  On Thursday (two days ago), I did a work-out video and passed gas almost the entire time.  On Friday, I was eating at a restaurant when I suddenly got some very sharp cramps in my lower back. They did not last long, but I felt like I needed to pass gas or use the bathroom, but nothing happened.  Then today, while I was at work, I got another backache. I was hunched over my desk, so I am inclined to think that is the reason my back started to hurt, but with this gas and bloating that won't go away, I am getting really worried. I have taken my pill at the exact same time every day for the past six weeks, at 8 AM.  I got sick and threw up once, but the time that occurred was around 10-11 pm.  I know that it's not necessary to take another pill if you throw it up more than three or so hours after taking it, but I am really paranoid.  I have been looking online for my symptoms and have come across several pregnancy blogs with the symptoms and it's got me worried.  Should I take a pregnancy test? Could I even be pregnant? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi,
It sounds to me like your symptoms are intestinal and probably don't have anything to do with the pill or pregnancy.  They may be stress related or from something you're eating.  I assume you had a period 2-3 weeks ago.  If that was fairly normal, I think you're not pregnant.  Symptoms of pregnancy and a positive pregnancy test both occur around the time of a missed period.  So if your next period doesn't come when expected, I'd get a pregnancy test, but probably not before, unless you didn't have a regular period last time.