i have been suffering from chronic constipation from the age of 12, laterly diagnosed with IBS when i was 17. I am now 22 and suffering with, what i believe to be an severe IBS attack that i have never experienced before. 1 week ago i was severly constipated and took over the counter laxitives ( Ducolax) to try and relieve my bowels and ended up off work for 2 days with severe diahorrea coupled with excruciating stomach cramps which i had already been experiencing. other symptoms include nausea, dizziness and light headedness, shooting pain in either the inside of my upper right arm, outside of my left upper arm, just above my knees (right or left) hands or feet. ( the only way i can describe it is intermittent pulsating shooting pains that come and go with no triggers) constant fatigue, feeling the need to empty my bowels constantly and when i do its very ressurinsed pain, black foul smelling stools. for 1 week now i have hav a hot water bottle constantly on my stomach, been taking merbeverine IBS tablets and drinking peppermint or cammomile tea. this is something i have never experienced before and even changed to a low FODMAP diet to try and tackle what i think is an IBS attack. no change. Maybe related, i am on a contraceptive implant and have been for 2 years, i am now onto my 3rd week of a menstral cycle which is also unusual. any advice would be very much appreciated. Laura