To drive myself to A&e in now? Ear infection

[Giveitarestlove]

I've had a ear infection since Wednesday doctor prescribed me amoxicillin. My ear has got worse tonight has been the first night I can't sleep my ear and jaw is pulsating. I start my new job Tuesday I need it sorting i can't function with no sleep.

I'm in so much pain

[Anordinarymum]

I would if I were you. Your eardrum might burst.

[Nat6999]

Could you ring 111? They might do you a prescription for you to pick up at your nearest 24 hour pharmacy. They did this when I had a uti that started late at night. Take some pain relief & try either heat or cold.

[lydia7986]

You should definitely go to A and E, but are you sure you’re ok to drive?

[lydia7986]

But try calling 111 first - you might be able to get a prescription without going to A and E.

[Monty27]

Go. It sounds painful. Hope you get sorted quickly. Keep us posted.

[HP07]

I definitely would not go to A&E for an ear infection. At the most I would phone 111 but if I was already on antibiotics I’d probably wait until morning to speak to my GP about swabbing it to see if it was the right kind of antibiotic for the infection and also take some co codamol +/- ibruprofen for the pain.

[Giveitarestlove]

I rang 111 earlier and they booked a telephone appointment with my doctor tomorrow. But I can't wait the pain is so bad.

I've just checked on the hospital website and it says ear pain see your GP. Is your accident a real emergency blardy blah I feel a bit bad turning up with an ear infection

[PurpleDaisies]

Earache is horrible but I’m not sure this sounds like a and e is appropriate.

Have you tried sleeping propped up on pillows? What painkillers are you on?

I’d call your gp first thing.

[Zippetydoodahzippetyay]

Don't muck around with ear infections. My Dad is deaf in one ear thanks to an ear infection that wasn't treated properly as a teenager.

[PurpleDaisies]

Cross posted with you.

An appointment with a gp in the morning sounds exactly the the right course of action here. That doesn’t mean I don’t really sympathetise. Ear pain really is grim.

[KoalaandRabbit]

I'ld call 111 again and say pain has got much worse if pain is too bad to wait until morning with painkillers.

[PatsyJStone]

As others have said, it’s not an A or E issue, no matter how much pain you are in. Wait for your appointment in the morning.

[480Widdio]

The antibiotics are clearly not working,if you have been taking them since Wednesday.

Fluid can build up and the pressure cause your eardrum to rupture.Of course you can go to A and E.

Please ignore the idiots saying wait until the morning.Unbelievably stupid advice.

[Seagrassorchid]

Ring 111 again. Get them to reassess. There should be an out of hours centre open somewhere where you can be seen. Not an A&E situation.

[mxjones]

Call 111, a and e isn't for ear infections unless 111 tell you to go.

[480Widdio]

The fools are about in large numbers on MN tonight,what a surprise.

[AwaAnBileYerHeid]

A&E isn't really appropriate. Can you put a cold compress on your ear along with painkillers and wait till the appt tomorrow?

[HeIenaDove]

Ah another competitive not going to A and E thread.

[Nomoreilove]

111 will do a reassessment if it’s gone worse. Will be able to put you through to an out of hours go if the outcome changes

[ToastyCrumpet]

The people saying don’t go to A and E have clearly never had this kind of infection. I have. It’s the most pain I’ve ever been in.

Go to A and E, OP. The amoxicillin clearly isn’t working. Make sure you ask for painkillers too. It will take 24 hours for an antibiotic to start having an effect.

[mxjones]

@ToastyCrumpet

The people saying don’t go to A and E have clearly never had this kind of infection. I have. It’s the most pain I’ve ever been in.

Go to A and E, OP. The amoxicillin clearly isn’t working. Make sure you ask for painkillers too. It will take 24 hours for an antibiotic to start having an effect.

I had an ear infection a few months ago, I know what the pain is like thanks. It's not an accident and it's not an emergency. The op only has to wait until morning or call 111 to go to an ooh Gp.

[Kittykat93]

I'd call 111 and ask for advice again just say you're in a lot of pain. Probably wouldn't just rock up to A&E, but that's what 111 is there for.

[newtb]

I had a friend years ago who had an ear infection treated badly by a locum GP.

It ended up a Meniere's disease. You really don't want that. If you're really worried about bothering them in some hospitals you can ring a+e reception and ask if it's OK to go in.

Or cite my example above, from about 1981, in Preston, Lancs, and say you were so worried you went in.

Good luck

[mxjones]

@HeIenaDove

Ah another competitive not going to A and E thread.

No, it's another not misusing overstretched nhs resources when there is a perfectly acceptable solution in the form of an out of hours service. 111 can direct the op to a&e if appropriate.

[noenergy]

I would go in, the pain is excruciating.

Can't believe so many people are martyrs on here.