Cat suddenly sensitive at base of tail

Hi! I noticed yesterday that my 5 y/o cat that I adopted last June, who normally loves being scratched at the base of her tail, is having a strange reaction now. She will turn sharply towards my hand, then excessively lick or nibble on her front paw. I was a few days late with her flea meds but as an inside cat I thought that she would be okay.

It says in her paperwork from the shelter that she had anal gland surgery. I've had her glands expressed once but was embarrassed to bring her back for that after the vet tech said that they don't normally do it for cats and that I was being overly cautious.

Any thoughts before I make an appointment to see the vet? Thanks!!!

With those set of symptoms, I'd definitely get her to the vet.  Just FYI, anal gland expression in cats is really common. 

Since the anal gland situation is part of her history, I would take her in, too. Forget what that tech said and remember half of them graduated at the bottom of their class. That said, my cat can't tolerate anyone scratching the base of his tail. He cries out in pain and swats my hand. So it may have become normal for her to dislike the scratching.

Thanks, I'll get her an appointment first thing tomorrow.