to keep going to the gp?

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

Smallest ds has chronic ear infections. He also has a food intolerance. Both have similar symptoms, snot, pain, up all night screaming. They've stopped giving him antibiotics for the ears and there is no treatment for the food intolerance so Calpol and Nurofen are our friends. My aibu is should I go to the doctors to find out if its another ear infection? Its the same treatment but I like to know what I'm dealing with. This is day 2 of screaming so I'm thinking ears not accidental food consumption. He's calpoled up to the eyeballs but I'm umming and aahing about going to weekend gp just to be told it is what I suspect....
He's only 1 so can't say where it hurts.

[PurpleWithRed]

Would it help to know either way? If it's not ear infection would it help,pinpoint his food intolerance?

[Crunchymum]

What is DC intolerant to? Have you had him allergy tested? I'd be pushing for the tests if not.

I would take him Dr personally, he is a baby and he is in pain.

[pocketsized]

Is the food thing an allergy or an intollerance? DD has food allergies and piriton can help. We also find that an allergy incident often leads to an ear infection, so sometimes it's both!

[pocketsized]

Also, I would go back to your regular gp on Monday, we were told that we just had to put up with DDs ear infections, but she's had so many now that they've referred us to ent.

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

Its dairy and he's still breastfeeding but v vulnerable to it and its possible I ate something inadvertently 3 nights ago(out for posh dinner). He's had stool samples done and they've told me he doesn't produce the enzyme so I'm not really sure, just keep away from it as much as poss.
I just feel a bit ott taking him if they cant help but I do want to coz if it is ears at least it'll go on his notes

[ArgyMargy]

Antibiotics won't help ear infections but you are certainly entitled to support with this - it sounds awful! Have you been advised on foods to avoid? Not sure I understand the "no treatment for the food intolerance" message.

[CantChoose]

I think you should go. Just because he's prone to ear infections doesn't mean it can't be anything else and as he's too little to communicate what's hurting it's sensible to get them to have a look to confirm its nothing else that is more serious or that they can treat. If he seems very out of sorts contact OOH, otherwise I'd wait to see a GP who knows him tomorrow. Hope he's feeling better soon!

[ArgyMargy]

Oops sorry cross-post

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

Also been referred to ent but cant find an nhs that will see him as he's only 12 months so having to go private and travel miles!

[snowgirl29]

I'd take him back OP. My DS was absolutely fine once, just woke up at 2am screaming his head off in pain and I couldn't settle him for love nor money. Turned out to be a really bad ear infection.

I'm currently dealing with the same thing with my DD. She caught a bad ear infection from her swimming lessons. Treated and given Abs and it went. She's now got it back again and within three days she's had to have her antibiotics changed to even stronger ones. He might need a different ab that will target the problem better if Calpol and Nurofen aren't shifting it. Hope hes feeling better soon.

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

I've been told by gp that oral antibiotics don't work for ear infections? Has anyone had positive experience of drops? Do they work?

[youarenotkiddingme]

They may not give antibiotics but there are drops you can take that are antibacterial, antiviral and steroid based. It may help.

Also he should be seen by NHS Ent. Please don't pay to go private. Contact peads ENT and ask them direct why they are refusing to see a child under 2 and what guidelines and policy they are following with this.
Most private peads specialists just refer back to their own NHS clinics anyway.

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

Its been a hassle but no nhs hospital has space for 12 months or refuse to see under 2s within a 100 mile radius. I'm happy to pay to see consultant intially as he is also nhs team lead in that county so at least we're seeing someone!

[whatishistory]

My DD had repeated ear infections when she was little. It went on for a couple of years. What finally made the difference was a low daily dose of antibiotics for 3 months.

I'd suggest pushing to get the ear infections under control. My DD was left with speech development problems becauase of it. She's 6.5 years old and is still having speech therapy. They've had a big impact on her day to day for years after they stopped.

[snowgirl29]

Verticalvenitianblinds it depends where the infection in the ear is. My DD currently has something called otitis externa (swimmers ear) and she is currently on ab drops and oral abs for it. Our practice nurse has said they never mess about as it's an infection which can turn quite nasty if left untreated. It runs the risk of getting in behind the ear and causing more problems but I cant remember the name of it right now for the life of me.

On other occasions I myself with my own history, have gone with horrendous earache and been told its nothing and just to ride it out with pain relief.

OP. Just get him checked out. At least it will give you peace of mind if they do just tell you what you suspect. I always double check with my own DCs now as I am quite openly neurotic when it comes to ears. Not trying to scare you OP but I was left permanently deaf in one ear thanks to a GP that kept advising my Mum to keep giving me olive oil drops for recurring infections. My Eardrum burst in the middle of lining up for assembly in primary school and I had to have an op and everything.

[Mouikey]

Sometimes its worth going to the GP, not just for support, but to also get it recorded. If you need a referral elsewhere having this (and any other incident) on record will give justification for the referral. Otherwise the GP may only rely on the times you have taken them along.

[RedHelenB]

Of course you need antibiotics help with a bad ear infection. Get to the GP to see if it is. One of my most painful memories is a weekend with an ear infection back in the day when there was no out of hours doctors/chemists.

[pocketsized]

red many GPs wont prescribe antibiotics for ear infections as there is little clinical evidence that they improve outcomes, except in specific circumstances.

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

And he's had amoxicillin so many times it doesn't seem to make any difference at all now!

[snowgirl29]

Vertical he may just need a different type. DD has had amoxycillin, then clarythmycin when it came back. Now the docs have changed it over to ciproxin (sp?).

When is your private appointment for? Hope it's not too soon away so at least someone can get the ball rolling for your ds.
What did you decide to do in the end?

[snowgirl29]

Obviously I know yours will be different op as your ds is still so small bless him but yes get him doublechecked for peace of mind if nothing else with it being an ongoing problem.

[VertiginousOust]

My DS had repeated inner ear infections as a baby and we were referred to ent after about 6 in a row (over a 2 month period). They put him on prophylactic antibiotics for months at a time (as a pp said) and that stopped them. That was then repeated each winter until he finally outgrew them.
Do keep taking him in, it can start to affect their hearing if they have them repeatedly.

[Verticalvenetianblinds]

Calpol keeping it under control at the moment but will see gp tomoro

[StarkintheSouth]

I had major ear infections as a kid, usually otitis externa. I had to have a gromit at age 7 to try and drain the excess fluid (nice!)
One thing that exacerbated my problems was dairy and I seem to remember cutting that out really helped. Was a bitch though and I tantrummed about not being able to have cereal with milk and rice pudding etc :(
My Mum always persisted though, taking me back each time as I really was in a lot of pain. Keep at it and best of luck x

[Beesneeze82]

Agree with PP that if nothing else it all be recorded in notes which will help with any future referrals. I used to keep my own records for when DS had repeat ear infections. Although useful for me, the doctors we saw only went from what they could see in notes. He got grommits after a year or so of infections. Sorted the problem out straight away.