To beg for suggestions for severe ear pain relief!

My partner finds relief from warm compresses. Won't cure it ofc but helps damper the pain. I get a damp cloth and zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds. It helps him get to sleep

good luck with your panel!

Sodium Bicarbonate drops can make it worse!

Stop using those - try warm olive oil instead. If you have impacted ear wax it will help with that as well.

Does it feel like water is in there? Adding water can get water out

Where are you putting the heat? I find putting it in the dip behind the lobe best also there are ear massages you can look on YouTube for

You may have water trapped in the ear, or it’s a coincidence and it’s ear wax. Did the pharmacist mention if you have excessive wax?

Try the warm compresses but if it’s as bad as you say ring 111 for advice.

I have had tinnitus for 30 years which does get worse when I have a cold, infection or excessive wax so I admit that I am very careful with my ears.

Do you think it’s ear pressure like on a plane? I had terrible ear pain at one point and an otovent ballon was amazing relief. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Otovent-Autoinflation-Clinically-Effective-Treatment/dp/B00308F9O6/ref=asc_df_B00308F9O6?mcid=84867778b5d135ec8f6b72fe3f89f61f&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697357044134&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6557353743662611115&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046923&hvtargid=pla-405660592488&psc=1&hvocijid=6557353743662611115-B00308F9O6-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Earcalm spray is really good but you would have to ask the pharmacist whether it's appropriate for the kind of pain you have as think it's mainly used for infections, definitely helps with pain though.

DD used to get a lot of ear infections and a salt sock seemed to help ease the pain.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEcL0Vwt_WJ/?igsh=MmJkaDRqMjB2bG82

Sounds like the pharmacist was pretty rubbish. Try another one, or better still, the GP. There are also lots of places that offer ear wax removal, if you google it you may find someone near by. They will get the wax out if there is any, or tell you if there isn’t and it’s an infection. Good luck for your panel!!!

@waitinginwonderland I'm a regular swimmer too, and had ear pain recently. Like you I thought it must be a build up of wax, so started using the sodium bicarbonate drops too. Which led to more pain and an infection. The pharmacist was pretty clear about the drops making it worse!

Microsuction tomorrow!

You can try over the counter ph spray - pharmacist will advise. With it cleared that should be enough to fend off the infection. If not then go back and demand antibiotic spray.

Next time- have your ears microsuctioned before swim holidays and use this spray prior to every swim.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earol-Swim-Tea-Tree-Oil/dp/B017BPAUVA

From a long time dodgy ear sufferer.

It sounds like you need to see another dr, I’ve had a lot of ear trouble recently and ears are sensitive.

Do not put olive oil in them or the ear calm stuff, the pain you’re describing sounds like an inner ear infection which they may not be able to see yet.

Get another Dr appointment and take painkillers.

Good luck at your adoption meeting.

Oh and to clear up what’s blatantly happened as happens EVERY time to me.

Water swells the wax and blocks a small portion of slightly awful swim water behind your ear wax. The swim water chemicals neutralise your ear acid (ph) and heat/ wet environment then allows the infection to grow uncontrolled (as it’s the ph which controls and prevents infection).

Basically no antibiotic will fix it without clearing it. A) because it cant reach it, and B) because the ph can’t resolve without getting the infected water/ material out - which it cant do because A - it’s blocked.

Someone will have microsuction somewhere tomorrow. If you give me an idea of area then I might be able to advise because I have this issue frequently.

Take an anti histamine tonight, it can help reduce the fluid in your ‘pipes’ reducing the pressure and see a gp / pharmacist (different one) tomorrow

They usually advise softening wax before wax removal.

Came to say warm olive oil too and cross posted with the update... congratulations!

does otitis externa (swimmer's ear) fit?

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/otitis-externa

That's fantastic news 😀

Hope your ear is better soon

As a suggestion moving forward try tea tree swimming spray from earol. Helps goats the ear and stops the water getting trapped.

Are you taking codeine for the pain?

Ibuprofen for the inflammation?

my pharmacy do ibuprofen with codeine tablets.

Yes to putting heat behind the ear.
amd try massaging in front of the ear by the little flap bit in a circular motion.

Also try Saline nasal spray because sometimes when the tubes get blocked in the inner bit (eustacian tube) it stops the ear drum moving so much and traps air (or something much more medically scientific I can’t explain well) and this traps water and wax more.

Can you tell I’ve suffered a lot with this?!

and best of luck with the panel tomorrow.

Oh sorry I did t refresh before posting.

Congratualtions at the panel