What the hell is wrong with my ears??

[1wokeuplikethis]

I got an ear infection in August, no pain just lots of itching and discharge. Dr told me to use earcalm drops. They didn’t do anything so I went back. Dr gave me antibiotic ear/eye drops. Used them for a week and it cleared up.

3 days later it came back: smelly water/waxy discharge, incredible itchiness, big lumps of debris coming out. Went back to the dr, he gave me Clarithromycin this time for a week and said if that didn’t work I need to get my ears microsucked at the ENT.

The antibiotics made me feel terrible but I persevered and took every last one. It cleared up a bit, but has now come back with a vengeance. My ears are itchy (like when you scratch a mosquito bite and it’s so satisfying but you know you shouldn’t) loads of watery smelly wax coming out and it’s stuck in my hair in the morning, big chunks too, and now I’m in quite a bit of pain with it.

Got my appointment for the suction thing, but it’s not until 5th nov. I appreciate that that’s classed as an urgent referral and I sincerely value the NHS, but I honestly can’t stand this for 3 weeks longer and I’m genuinely worried how bad it’s going to get in that time.

I think I’m going to have to go back to the doctor again but I’m not sure what he’s going to be able to do. None of the treatments have worked.

I want to know what’s wrong with my ear, keep googling and it just says swimmers ear but that clears up from drops and or antibiotics. Could there be a problem with my eardrum?

Does anyone have any experience or sage advice? I’m going a bit crazy now.

[moreismore]

I had this as a teenager, it’s a chronic infection. Microsuction and a period of time using wax earplugs for bath/shower/swimming was curative.
Would it be possible to pay for it privately?

[moreismore]

If it was behind your eardrum you’d know about it-so painful

[DangerMouse17]

Have you had any issues with hearing? I think you need to go to A&E if you're in pain as these infections can spread into other tissues and November sounds far away!

[SleepyKat]

Can you pay privately to have them done? I pay a bloke £80 to suction my ears. Think most specsavers do it now. You’ll get done loads quicker.

[1wokeuplikethis]

Thanks for the replies, I didn’t realise specsavers did microsuction, however I definitely can not afford to go private.

My main concern is why antibiotics and ear drops haven’t worked, I would like a doctor to tell me the cause of the infection and where the infection actually is within my ear to cause so much discharge and discomfort. I’m worried it’s been going on for so long if there’s a risk of any long-term problems with my ears. Mostly it is bloody annoying and distracting feeling them ooze and weep all day and trying not to stick my fingers in to itch them. And I don’t understand how water has got stuck in there in the first place; I don’t swim. Although it did come about shortly after I took the kids swimming in the summer. But how could one go swimming cause such a nasty infection? Should I always use earplugs just in case?

Sorry, I’m waffling. I’m just really fed up.

[Fuzzywuzzywuzzy]

I think it's common to get ear infections from swimming pools. Imagine what some people do in there!

But you can also need to pay special attention to them when you shower or wash your hair. You should get a ball of cotton wool and smear it in someting like Vaseline. Then put it in the entrance to your ear to create a barrier to any water and suds.

Maybe try some olive oil drops (get a dropper from the chemist) it might soothe your ears a little.

Then hang on in there for your microsuction appointment. I have it done a few times a year at the ENT clinic. Believe me, it is the best thing ever having someone root around in your ear!

[GreenTulips]

Try some Olbas Oil in boiling water overnight in you bedroom. Works wonders

[babayjane67]

I get loads of trouble with my ears too for the last yr or so.
Lots of infections.im actually on Gentomicin steroid& antibiotic drops at mo for another one in my right ear!!
I have to have mine microsuctioned every 6wks now.started off at every 6months then every 3months now every 6wks!!
Apparently I produce too much wax for some reason&that's what's causing all the trouble.
Gp found a foreign body in my right ear&that was initially why I was sent for the suctioning.when I had it done though nothing was found but loads&loads of wax!!
It is working better having them done 6weekly BUT this is the first infection I've had for a while so when I go to have it done again next week I will be asking them what's going on?? Why they think I've got yet another infection after this amount of time!!

[babayjane67]

I've also got to use olive oil drops in both my ears once a week&a spray(can't remember what it's called off hand) for when it's really itchy.
The last couple of times they've itched like mad after having them microsuctioned&they've had to put steroid cream in the ears to calm it down!

[1wokeuplikethis]

I struggle not to get water in when I’m washing my hair. Is there any tips? Vaseline and cotton wool just falls out. I tried silicone earplugs but the water still got in.

[1wokeuplikethis]

babayjane sounds like an absolute nightmare and very similar to what ive got going on. I’d just like someone to have a proper look in there, the doctor just gave mine a cursory glance with the ear looky thing. Maybe I’ll get a bit further with the ENT experts.

[GrumpiestCat]

I loved having my ears suctioned. It was like someone rinsing out my skull with hot water. Absolute bliss. And it cleared up my persistent ear probs but that was wax not discharge. I've not got any advice but perhaps do go back to the doctor, there may be something he can give to stop the itch if not the discharge.

[catyrosetom2]

Following. I have a chronic infection in both ears which clears up with an antibiotic/steroid drop before coming back again shortly after. I have never once even heard the words microsuction despite going to the doctor about it many times. They just fob me off and tell me to use olive oil. My ears are horribly itchy constantly and I get crusty bits and watery or thick brown discharge.

Sorry, no advice just lots of sympathy (and a bit of nosing for a solution!)

[Fretfulparent]

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/audiology/otitis-externa.pdf

[Helpmedecide123]

Go to the chemist and buy a tube of hydrocortisone. Don't tell them it's for your ear though. Put a very thin layer on the itchy skin twice a day and that should help with the itching.

I have chronic otitis externa and this is what always works for me.

[babayjane67]

Grumpies they don't use water to microsuction.
I'm not allowed to get water in them as it makes my problem worse!
Wokeup I usually use cotton wool&Vaseline.i absolutely smother it in it!! It never used to stay in very well but seems to now.
I've tried ear plugs too but they fell out!
Cat that surprises me they won't do anything even when you've a nasty brown discharge!!
I was surprised though at the last gp I saw last wk about this infection I have now actually saying to me can u not have them syringed?? I'm like no I've been told NOT to get water in them!!

[catyrosetom2]

@Helpmedecide123 do you get crusty flaking ears if you don’t use hydrocortisone? (If you don’t mind my asking )

Not sure if this is what I may have. Do you use it literally every day or have breaks? As the tube says don’t use for more than 7 days usually, so I was confused by this (GP also suggested doing this).

[1wokeuplikethis]

I’m going back to the drs tomorrow. My ears are hot and sore and itchy, loads of white gunk coming out of one; absolutely no way I can just leave them like that until 5th nov for the suctioning. But after having drops and antibiotics, I really doubt he is going to be able to do anything.

I’m thinking I might push for him to take a sample/swab and send it off for testing to find out what the actual infection is. Two months into this and it’s getting me down!

[babayjane67]

Wokeup yes push for him to do a swab Def!!
That sounds awful!!
Roll on next Wed for me when I have mine suctioned again!!

[Helpmedecide123]

@catyrosetom2 if it's not clearing up with standard hydrocortisone then I get my GP to prescribe anti-fungal hydrocortisone, which usually does the trick!

[miamiibiza]

@1wokeuplikethis how you feeling now? Did you get to the Doctors? Hope you are okay

[Justaboy]

Yes go back and pile on the agony some to get this looked at, its far from how it ought be could be a viral thing. Is there no way someone in ENT couldnt see you sooner?

If all else fails try your A&E dept not what ther supposed to be for but sometimes - if all else has failed;!

[historysock]

I've had a very similar thing OP. Got an ear infection in late July, was given ear drops then antibiotics. Have had it on and off to varying degrees ever since. Sometimes with accompanying hearing loss, sometimes with a temperature, sometimes with giddiness. I've felt lousy tbh.
Had ears syringed and it helped a bit for a week or two. The dr referred me to the hospital for micro suction. The waiting list has been from August to end of a October when my appointment is-so if you can go private I would!

[historysock]

I've had a very similar thing OP. Got an ear infection in late July, was given ear drops then antibiotics. Have had it on and off to varying degrees ever since. Sometimes with accompanying hearing loss, sometimes with a temperature, sometimes with giddiness. I've felt lousy tbh.
Had ears syringed and it helped a bit for a week or two. The dr referred me to the hospital for micro suction. The waiting list has been from August to end of October where I am.
GP said if it's much worse meanwhile go to a and e, so I would do that if I were you OP-yours sound awful.
I have silicone ear plugs that I got off Amazon which have been pretty good so far for keeping water out.
My sympathies-It's bloody horrible!

[historysock]

Sorry though my I Hadn't posted the first time