This topic is about someone who is experiencing persistent pain around their stoma, eight weeks after having ostomy surgery. Initially, the recovery was going well, but recently, a sharp pain has developed around and seemingly inside the stoma. The stoma itself is functioning normally and looks fine, but the pain becomes intense when standing upright.

Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others:

1. The person had been cycling and playing golf without issues until this sudden pain appeared. The pain is most severe when trying to stand up straight. A general practitioner suspects that the abdominal muscles might be pulling away from the stoma, and the person has been referred to a hospital and has an appointment with a stoma nurse.

2. Early post-operative cramps or weak abdominal muscles can cause sharp or shooting pains, which usually improve as healing continues.

3. For symptom relief, some over-the-counter options include:
- Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) to ease abdominal cramping.
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
- It's important to note that the stoma size may shrink over the next 2-3 months, so the opening of the appliance (bag) might need to be resized periodically.

4. The pain might be due to the residual "tug" from internal stitches when stretching or standing.

5. Several people have reported similar pain after physical over-exertion. Resting and avoiding strenuous activity often helps alleviate the pain.

6. Diclofenac (Voltarol) has provided good relief for some, but there is strong caution about using all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen. These can trigger serious gastrointestinal complications, so anyone with bowel disease or surgery should consult their gastroenterologist or stoma nurse before using them. One person even attributes the loss of their colon to NSAID use and advises extreme caution. If NSAIDs cause nausea or discomfort, it's best to switch to simple analgesics like Paracetamol and seek professional guidance.

7. General medication advice includes taking only what is necessary, being alert to side effects, and discussing all drugs—whether prescribed or over-the-counter—with a qualified specialist.