Persistent Stomach Pain Disrupting My Routine
I’m an 18-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 13 stone 5 pounds. I don’t consume alcohol, nor do I use drugs or smoke. Just to clarify, I’m not expecting either. For the past four days, I’ve been battling a stomach ache and I’m curious whether it’s just constipation or if a doctor’s visit is advisable. Apologies if this seems like too much information, but I assume you’ve encountered worse stories. Last Wednesday was particularly difficult; I experienced excruciating abdominal pain. Around 10 PM, I rushed to the bathroom and had diarrhea that lasted for a whole hour. Afterward, I rehydrated and went to bed, feeling fine afterward. However, the next day was a complete turnaround as I didn’t manage to have a bowel movement at all, which is unusual for me. I’ve recently altered my diet to shed some pounds and typically go twice a day, but on this occasion, I had no desire to eat and felt somewhat unwell. After getting some rest, I was okay all day on Friday, but then Saturday hit, and the stomach pain returned intensely. Despite drinking around four pints of water, I felt a bit dehydrated, had zero appetite, and experienced mild feverish symptoms without an actual fever. I was again constipated and just generally unwell. I took two ibuprofen for a separate issue (tooth pain), but oddly enough, that seemed to intensify my stomach discomfort. Now, it’s Sunday morning, and the pain has escalated. I woke up early, having only managed about six hours of sleep, and I’m writhing in discomfort. Sometimes it feels like mild cramps or menstrual pain, but other times the pain surges like I’ve been struck in the stomach. I’m still dealing with constipation, feeling bloated, and now I’m experiencing nausea. I did seek advice from chat GPT initially, but I would much rather hear from a human. Is this just a lingering stomach bug from Wednesday, or could it be indicative of something else? Should I head to a walk-in clinic, or should I simply try to rest through it for the day?
Answers (1)
7/28/2025, 8:31:07 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with some significant stomach pain and digestive discomfort that has persisted for several days, which can understandably be very concerning. The combination of symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea suggests that this might not just be a simple stomach bug or constipation on its own.
Explanation
Your symptoms could be influenced by several factors, such as dietary changes, dehydration, or a potential gastrointestinal condition. The severe pain and alternating constipation and diarrhea, along with nausea, warrant close attention. It's also worth noting that certain medications, like ibuprofen, can irritate the stomach and might contribute to your discomfort.
Next Steps
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Hydration: Continue drinking plenty of fluids, aiming for clear liquids like water or herbal teas to avoid dehydration. Consider oral rehydration solutions if you feel dehydrated, especially after the diarrhea.
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Gentle Diet: If you feel up to eating, try bland foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (often referred to as the BRAT diet). Avoid heavy, spicy, or fatty foods that could aggravate your stomach.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms, especially new developments like fever or increased pain. If you experience severe pain that does not improve with time or if you have persistent nausea and vomiting, it’s important to assess the situation quickly.
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Rest: Take time to rest and allow your body to recover. Stress can often exacerbate digestive issues, so try to remain as relaxed as possible.
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Seek Care: Given that you are experiencing severe pain and multiple gastrointestinal symptoms, it would be wise to visit a walk-in clinic or urgent care center. This is especially important if your symptoms escalate or do not improve over the next day or two. Medical professionals can provide a thorough evaluation and may need to run tests to rule out any underlying conditions.
Conclusion
While there’s a good chance this is a temporary issue related to your recent dietary changes and possible dehydration, the intensity of your pain and symptoms suggests it's worth seeking medical advice sooner rather than later. Please listen to your body, and if you feel excessively uncomfortable or concerned, obtaining professional care would be a prudent choice.
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