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

[severeearache]

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 …

**stabbing not strapping

I could cry, at last - wonderful taxi driver dropped me off at the surgery, then chemist, then front door and only charged a tenner as said he felt sorry for me . First spray in, nips a bit but hopefully it starts to help soon . What a relief !!

One other thing that really helped me break the cycle of inflammation and pain with anything ear nose and throat: cut out dairy and any bread/starches. Try and just have clear liquids and soups or soft fish or meats. I know that sounds rank but keep the meals as clean as possible, It really helped me stop any falre ups whilst the meds were kicking in.

I ate things like a spoonful of tuna out the can, a slice of ham cut small and boiled eggs and humous.

Lots of water. Hot drinks were boiled water. Or add a slice of lemon or just cold plain water.

Keep it as plain and unprocessed as possible. Dairy is a sod for thickening mucous - as is starches.

@severeearache I wish you better.

@beachtosunset

One other thing that really helped me break the cycle of inflammation and pain with anything ear nose and throat: cut out dairy and any bread/starches. Try and just have clear liquids and soups or soft fish or meats. I know that sounds rank but keep the meals as clean as possible, It really helped me stop any falre ups whilst the meds were kicking in.

I ate things like a spoonful of tuna out the can, a slice of ham cut small and boiled eggs and humous.

Lots of water. Hot drinks were boiled water. Or add a slice of lemon or just cold plain water.

Keep it as plain and unprocessed as possible. Dairy is a sod for thickening mucous - as is starches.

@severeearache I wish you better.

Thank you , I’ve hardly eaten a thing since Monday to be fair . Had a couple of sandwiches on Tuesday night and I think one on Wednesday at some point . Have spoken to GP again and told if ear drops don’t do anything by 8 or 9 to go back to A&E . I do have a fever now too so maybe they’ll listen more .

I wonder why A&E were not able to find antibiotics for you? Or have I missed something and they did?

@tulips27

I wonder why A&E were not able to find antibiotics for you? Or have I missed something and they did?

They wanted the ones with dex specifically they said . Pharmacy told me to ring 111 again as said symptoms sound far worse than normal ear infection (phoned them for advice on when to take next dose of drops) . So waiting on a doctor phoning yet again .

Thank you , I’ve hardly eaten a thing since Monday to be fair . Had a couple of sandwiches on Tuesday night and I think one on Wednesday at some point. Have spoken to GP again and told if ear drops don’t do anything by 8 or 9 to go back to A&E . I do have a fever now too so maybe they’ll listen more

You must line your stomach before taking Naproxen otherwise you'll do what i did and end up with a stomach bleed. Have even just a couple of mouthfuls of protein. An egg or chicken wing or pulses or hummous something. Something healing but plain.

Homemade chicken broth if you have any energy. Probably not but it is anti-inflammatory.

IN the biggest pan you have chop 2 onions/3 carrots/3 celery sticks. Brown the lot in a ittle oil 5mins.

Add a whole pack chicken thighs (including skin and bones) and a kettle of boiling water. Add pinch salt and pepper (pinch of thyme/parsley if you like) bring to boil.

Lid on and turn it down to a simmer for 2hours on hob
Or 4hours on high in a slow cooker.

Keep in the fridge and just live off that a day at a time. It will keep you hydrated, not much chewing involved and it will reduce inflammation. When heating up just heat a bowl at a time and give a good boil for a couple minutes and then simmer for a few more.

p.s don't be tempted to add any butter or cream/milk or cheese or rice or pasta or even any sugar or any buttered bread.

Any of this will inflame the infection.

The swallowing of the soup or any liquids will help move down the gunk from your Eustachian tube and keep your kidneys clearer.

Being taken over to hospital after six, GP on phone said they might be able to at least find codeine that’s stronger than 8mg and need to rule out again that it’s definitely not mastoiditis or affecting facial nerve . Not allowed to go out until then as said I had a fever, so told to self isolate for covid . Which is just tickety boo (sorry, am watching call the midwife boxset to distract) as I’ve a huge pile of washing needing doing and can’t access it until negative covid19 swab . However because it’s ?COVID they’re going to transport me over to hospital so that’s good news .

My dd has had a stay in hospital on iv for her ears and several visits to a&e. They once told me they can perf the eardrum if necessary. Owch. I hope you feel better soon. My dd used to get temp spikes then down to 35C. The out of hours gp was on the phone to me half the night once it was very scary. ENT said it was due to shock due to level of pain. The has also been on the sepsis pathway.
This went on for 3 years. Preventative antibiotics stopped working, but it was cured overnight by grommets. Literally a miracle, she can even swim now.
Wishing you a speedy recovery

You poor thing, have you packed in case they keep you in?

I don't get the but about codeine, are all your pharmacies out of it? Even solpadeine max you can buy otc is stronger than 8mg

I had operations/burst ear drums when younger and was found once at school trying to burst it myself with a pencil.

Good luck, you poor poor thing

Thank you, I am getting a bit frightened now - my dad isn’t far away but he wouldn’t be allowed to visit with the fever I guess (and he’s terrified of covid) but my mums 200 miles away and I just want to go home . I’m hoping it is just still an infection and nothing more scary than that . I’ve got uni placement to finish next week . Desperately want my mum .

@LefttoherownDevizes

You poor thing, have you packed in case they keep you in?

I don't get the but about codeine, are all your pharmacies out of it? Even solpadeine max you can buy otc is stronger than 8mg

I had operations/burst ear drums when younger and was found once at school trying to burst it myself with a pencil.

Good luck, you poor poor thing

I’ve got enough for two nights yeah … any longer and I’ll need to try and get my dad to get me some stuff !

I thought the 8/500s were the strongest you could get OTC? I’ve got a box of paramol with dihydrocodeine in it and even that’s only 15mg total .

Hopefully I’m not waiting too long past 6, GP said not to take more cocodamol until I see them in case they can give something stronger .

I've got OTC ibuprofen/codeine that's 12.8mg of codeine - can you try getting some of that?

Bless, please don't be scared. We all survived Covid fine here, despite ones being CEV. And it's much more likely to be the infection.

So, what have you packed? Charger, something to read, lip balm, hair bobble, Comfy clothes, toothbrush, snacks (in case you regain your appetite in the middle of the night), warm socks/slippers, scarf/shawl? Bottle of water?

Tbh it sounds like they're taking it seriously and that is good

Don't be afraid they are taking you seriously now and that's good. You are going to be ok! You.might find "magic mouthwash" soothing if they are willing to give you some. I believe it's codeine mixed with a liquid antacid and maybe benadryl. It works like a charm.

How are you getting on OP?

Hope you’re doing better OP

Bloody hell, you poor thing. Sounds absolutely horrific.

How are you now Op?

@severeearache

GP told me to elevate the bed.

I don't mean like The Exorcist.

Put the bed head of the bed up. Something under each of the feet at the top of the bed. some books or bricks or weights..? This helps raise the bed up at one end.

She said it helps the Eustachian tube fluid drain away from the ear drum to reduce the pressure for pain relief and get a sleep.

I'd rather go through Labour again than have another ear infection. Worst pain I've ever known. I needed antibiotic ear drops to shift mine, the bog standard stuff by mouth didn't do anything.

Take the advice of the doctor who posted above...

Hope you're alright op, what a frigging nightmare

Ah bless you. Awake with hip pain and really feel for you. Waiting on pain relief kicking in so i can get back to sleep