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Original poster

Ear pain so bad I’m in floods of tears - what can I do?

194 replies

severeearache · 10/11/2021 05:04

I’m sobbing with it, I’m a grown adult for God sake but never felt pain like it, I could scream - it’s absolute agony, throbbing and feels like it’s going to burst inside or something . I’ve taken ibuprofen and paramol (the dihydrocodeine one) and tried a heat pad . It’s all I can think about is how much agony I’m in .

I can’t swallow or talk - can’t open my mouth fully - it’s so sore .

Tried 111 and got a message saying they’re closed for maintenance until 5.30, I don’t know if I can cope until then, stupid as it sounds .

I’ve even tried blocking the ear with ear plugs to see if that helps in case it was the air getting in making it worse but that’s not helping at all .

I’m even dithering over going to A&E but that seems ridiculous for a sore ear surely they’ll laugh me out of the building, and I’m due to go on uni placement at 9 anyway …

OP posts:
50ShadesOfCatholic · 10/11/2021 05:08

Go!! They can give you antibiotics and the pain should begin to subside within 12hrs.

FeelingForced · 10/11/2021 05:09

This helped my DD when she had a bad earache recently.

faithit.com/moms-genius-hack-helping-ear-infections-goes-viral/

FeelingForced · 10/11/2021 05:11

It reduced the pain until we could see a doctor.

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Original poster
severeearache · 10/11/2021 05:18

Thank you, will try that, it’s absolute agony, I’ve never felt pain like it and I’ve had major surgeries with just paracetomal either, I’m almost banging my head off the wall, it’s spread all the way down the side of my face

OP posts:
Original poster
severeearache · 10/11/2021 05:24

Have managed to get through to NHS24, it’s agony

OP posts:
Tiredteacher100 · 10/11/2021 05:26

It's 5:30 am, you might find A&E not busy. You need to be seen ASAP if you are in that much pain in case the infection spreads

Justkeepleft · 10/11/2021 05:27

Hope you have some medicine and start feeling better soon.

Wrenflutter · 10/11/2021 05:35

My husband is currently waiting to see an ear specialist because of bad ear pain that led to deafness in one ear. See a Doctor straight away or try specsavers if you can't see a doctor anytime soon. Try heat. Do you have a hand warmer\ hot water bottle you can put up against it? Put your head over a bowl of steam and take deep breaths.

Original poster
severeearache · 10/11/2021 05:41

111 are saying nothing they can do, no fever so doubt there’s an infection, said they can’t help with pain and A&E won’t do anything - said probably a virus that will go away within 3 days and to contact GP if pain hasn’t gone by weekend . Hopefully the agony pain calms down soon, they said to try snd sit upright and not lie down at all as that will make it worse .

OP posts:
HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 10/11/2021 05:49

I had severe earache years ago and within a matter of hours my ear drum had perforated. However once it had done the relief was instant and the pain completely disappeared. It was only by the fact my ear was leaking fluid afterwards that went to the drs and found out. It took around 6 weeks to heal up and a course of antibiotics I also wasn't allowed to get any water inside it so I had to plug the inside of my ear with cotton wool covered in Vaseline. The only lasting side effect I have now is I'm partially deaf in that ear. One thing I'm not sure of is if by alternating a hot and cold compress whilst trying to ease the pain did it the perforation. If the pain is so bad I'd pop up to the A&E do you have a walk in clinic there? At least they should be able to tell if the pressure is going to cause it to burst and prescribe some antibiotics to hopefully prevent it from happening

misssunshine4040 · 10/11/2021 05:50

That's ridiculous. I've had severe ear infections when I was a teen and the pain would make me throw up.
I would drag myself to the gp and got antibiotics and it was gone ASAP.
I never once had a fever with an infection. Honestly I would nip to a and e if the pain won't subside and is breaking through paramol.

Original poster
severeearache · 10/11/2021 05:54

@HopingForOurRainbowBaby

I had severe earache years ago and within a matter of hours my ear drum had perforated. However once it had done the relief was instant and the pain completely disappeared. It was only by the fact my ear was leaking fluid afterwards that went to the drs and found out. It took around 6 weeks to heal up and a course of antibiotics I also wasn't allowed to get any water inside it so I had to plug the inside of my ear with cotton wool covered in Vaseline. The only lasting side effect I have now is I'm partially deaf in that ear. One thing I'm not sure of is if by alternating a hot and cold compress whilst trying to ease the pain did it the perforation. If the pain is so bad I'd pop up to the A&E do you have a walk in clinic there? At least they should be able to tell if the pressure is going to cause it to burst and prescribe some antibiotics to hopefully prevent it from happening
Tbh that’s what it feels like is going to happen, severe pressure and as if something is going to pop inside . NHS24 said won’t treat at OOH or A&E as it’s just pain, no obvious signs of infection; said they would only treat if pain carries on into Friday/Saturday or if severe swelling into face/neck or ear starts bleeding . I did say it’s painful right across that side of my face and hurting even just to talk or open my mouth but told that’s normal with viral infections and probably just a bit congested . I’m due to get up in an hour for uni 😩, will try and sleep it off for another hour or so as been up since 3.30 all but banging head off the mattress .
OP posts:
nearlytweeny · 10/11/2021 05:57

Hi there, I've had recurrent ear problems, some with infections, all my life and had a similar excruciating pain episode recently, the worst I've ever known, so utterly sympathise... in the end I did go to A&E at very early O clock ( couldn't sleep anyway) and Dr looked and couldn't even see properly due to both swelling and impacted wax, got a spray antibiotic, which I've had before, and advised to see GP for micro suction.. Well, could only get a virtual appointment, as had already tried, so found a local pharmacist who booked me in next day for microsuction ( cost around £60), was fantastic and had follow ups (free) as problem was so bad.. So in summary I'd advise A&E (NOW!) for meds and then try the microsuction if they have a look and advise . Good Luck! By the way, really warm well wrung out flannels were the best slight relief for me in the meantime, and I did cry with the pain too..

romdowa · 10/11/2021 06:00

I wouldn't listen to 111 and I'd go to a n e I'd you are in that much pain. The infection can get into the bone behind the ear and become very very serious.

greyspottedgoose · 10/11/2021 06:02

If you're in that much pain I'd go to a&e and say it started a day or so earlier than it actually did so you're at the point they will deal with you.

Out of interest did you try the hot cup trick?

ColitisSucks · 10/11/2021 06:04

Have your wisdom teeth fully come through? Worst earache I've ever had was caused by my wisdom teeth.

111 can be hopeless if what you're saying doesn't fit their boxes - did you speak to a Dr or only the person that initially answered the phone? I once phoned as I had been vomiting for 3 days, unable to keep sips of water down, and all the advice I was given was not to eat curry or spicy food Hmm

I'd be going to see someone medical today if I were you - how can they say there's 'no sign of infection' without looking inside your ear?! At the very least I'd hope you get prescribed stronger painkillers.

SteveArnottsWaistcoat · 10/11/2021 06:18

Phone them back and tell them that your face IS swollen and that there’s infection. You need antibiotics ASAP!! Just tick their boxes. NHS is useless at the moment because of Covid. I had an infection a few years ago and it was horrific, but luckily as the pain peaked my eardrum burst. As a op has said the relief was instant, although the hearing in the ear went. I had ABs and fully healed up after a few weeks.

olympicsrock · 10/11/2021 06:21

Hello OP I am a doctor and have worked in A and E. Severe pain not controlled with off the shelf painkillers IS an emergency and exactly the kind of thing that people should seek help with . You need immediately strongly pain relief and someone to have a look and see what the cause is.

Don’t feel bad . It isn’t a chronic problem and can’t wait for a GP appt.

Get yourself down there!

Alittlelost0 · 10/11/2021 06:23

Just go to a and e. I get recurrent ear infections and have literally crawled to a and e before after a night like you described. Very nice doctor was very glad I came. The last time I had it that badly the doctor I saw was very angry that I hadn't gone to anyone sooner as it can spread to your skull, result in sepsis etc so I would please go to a and e now

JuneOsborne · 10/11/2021 06:28

Well, you're in no fit state to go to your placement. Do you know how to contact them?

Is there anyone with you?

Can you ring your doctor's at 8 am and get one of the urgent one the day appointments? Ours has a system where you ring at 8 (or is it 8:30) and if it's urgent you'll be seen in the urgent clinic.

Hope you get something sorted. At the very least go to the pharmacy.

Get sudafed and difflam spray for your throat. You could also try sipping a hot ribena/orange squash.

purplesequins · 10/11/2021 06:34

is it your ear or deferred dental pain?
can you see a dentist?

InFiveMins · 10/11/2021 06:49

I've had this before OP and can totally sympathise, it was agony.

I booked myself in for ear microsuction at the pharmacy and paid about £50 for it. The pain went immediately afterwards.

I'm not saying it would work for you but might be a good idea to give it a try?

GoodnightGrandma · 10/11/2021 06:52

Do not put anything in your ear.
You must keep drinking, use a straw if necessary. Warm squash is probably best.
Try a lozenger if you’ve got one. It often hurts to eat/drink at first but gets better as you go.
Call the GP at 8am

Lulu1919 · 10/11/2021 06:54

Warm hot water bottle or wheat pillow

Put in some back ground noise...like tv

Ibuprofen and paracetamol

Count your breaths

catfunk · 10/11/2021 07:01

@Lulu1919

Warm hot water bottle or wheat pillow

Put in some back ground noise...like tv

Ibuprofen and paracetamol

Count your breaths

Op says she is using a heat pad and painkillers in the first post and not helping
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