Please explain antibiotics to me.

[StarOfLightMcKings3]

And can/do you get better without them if you are otherwise healthy.

GP has prescribed 2 courses so far and each time my blocked ears get a bit better but then comes back really strongly within a week of taking them.

Don't think GP will prescribe a third lot. Is there an alternative?

Pharmacist says I'll need to keep going with the Antibiotics for weeks but no way will the GP do that.

[notcitrus]

It depends... helpful comment or what?!

Have you definitely got a bacterial infection? Probably some coloured gunk involved. If so, and if it's been around long enough to have 2 lots of ABs, then it probably needs some. But culturing to ensure you get an AB that will work sounds called for, and then possibly a longer and/or stronger course.

If it's not definitely a bacterial infection in the ears, so might be wax or fluid buildup triggered by virus infection, or many other things, then less likely to help and GP may well say no unless you have history of bacterial ear infections.
If so, try heat and massage all round the ear and jaw. Are your sinuses congested?

[StarOfLightMcKings3]

It's fluid. When they were 'getting better' the fluid was movable when I tipped my head. Turning to the side meant I coukd hear. Now it is totally blocked again on one side and mostly on the other. I keep bumping into things and the world feels very surreal, like I haven't slept for a few days.

No-one can hear me as I can't judge my voice level.

I've had it now since end of Oct.

[seasonsyule]

ask GP to be referred to ears/nose/throat clinic to see audiologist...sounds like glue or middle ear prob. Need grommits for that not antiBs unless you have build up of wax deep down. Again audiologist will assess.

[pylonic]

I'm vehemently against antibiotics but I have had no choice this week and just completed a course of Amoxycillin. I've had a persistent rattling, raspy,chesty coughs for several months that my own natural immune defences just couldn't budge, and after an x-ray and phlegm tests to rule out causes, this seemed the only option left.

The pills have made me groggy and tired, I've gained a sore throat and a soreness down below (althought that may be otherwise related), plus the cough hasn't budged and I completed the course today :/

Going to stock up on probiotics now to get some good immunities back into my depleted body.

[StarOfLightMcKings3]

That will be me, my dd and my DS in for grommets in the new year then.

Thanks all.

Pharmacists suggested sudafed might reduce fluid but am still ebfing.

[notcitrus]

Good luck with the ENT referral.