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Original poster

Ear infection - seek further advise?

18 replies

Imthecaffeinequeen · 11/02/2022 17:02

I've had ear pain since wednesday morning, called 111 last night as it became pretty severe and they said sounds like an infection and prescribed ear spray over the phone, otomize I believe?
I was up most the night last night with the pain, paracetamol, ibuprofen, cocodamol is not touching it!
Today in front of my ear and down my neck/around jaw has swollen up and the pain is pretty awful! My ear is also weeping and I can barely hear.
Would I be unreasonable to call for further medical advice due to the new swelling and the fact that no one has actually looked at my ear?

OP posts:
Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 12/02/2022 08:01

Just to update I went to urgent care last night who prescribed oral antibiotics alongside the spray and stronger pain relief (codeine) which is still not really touching the pain.
I've also got an urgent referral to ENT due to the my ear canal being pretty much swollen closed with the possibility of inserting an ear wick if things don't improve over the weekend?
Can anyone recommend anything else that could help with the pain? I've never had anything like it before!

OP posts:
saleorbouy · 12/02/2022 08:08

Antibiotics and a hot water bottle next to the ear.
I had similar a few years ago and it was so painful, my pain threshold is high but this was another level.
The pain subsided when my ear drum burst, like popping a pimple I suppose and then green/ yellow fluid drained from my ear. It was actually then quite soothing.
Medically not much more you can do really, sorry.
Sending my sympathy to you, hope it improves soon.

Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 12/02/2022 08:32

@saleorbouy

Antibiotics and a hot water bottle next to the ear. I had similar a few years ago and it was so painful, my pain threshold is high but this was another level. The pain subsided when my ear drum burst, like popping a pimple I suppose and then green/ yellow fluid drained from my ear. It was actually then quite soothing. Medically not much more you can do really, sorry. Sending my sympathy to you, hope it improves soon.
Ok, will get hold of a hot bottle today, yes I've always thought I've got a high pain threshold but this pain is something else. Lots of pressure, like something needs to pop. Sounds like you had a bad time of it too! Thank you
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Flatandhappy · 12/02/2022 08:40

Nothing to add except sympathy, earache is the worst 😐

Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 12/02/2022 08:59

@Flatandhappy

Nothing to add except sympathy, earache is the worst 😐
Ah, thank you. Have had a run of infections last 2 months with sinusitis, a uti and now this. But this is by far the worst, definitely do not recommend!
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coffeeisthebest · 12/02/2022 14:43

Oh my goodness, poor you. I also had this a few years ago and I still acutely remember the pain. I would second the water bottle. The relief when putting my poorly ear on the water bottle was so comforting I felt a bit teary! Hope it passes soon.

lumpofcomfort · 12/02/2022 14:52

I second a hot water bottle for the pain. I had a terrible ear infection last year and I alternated painkillers so I could have them more regularly. I had codeine then two hours later I had paracetamol.

SeaToSki · 12/02/2022 15:15

Try mucinex or anything containing guaifenesin. It is a mucus thinner and so will help anything drain that can drain. Just watch out for double dosing on pain meds by accident if you use a multisymptom medicine

The ear drum bursting isnt a good thing, it will reduce your ability to hear clearly going forward as it will heal with scar tissue which is not as good as the original tissue. I would get on the phone to the ENT clinic and ask when your appointment is and if there are any cancellations …

Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 13/02/2022 07:32

Thank you for all your suggestions, I have a hot water bottle and have been alternating with codeine and paracetamol.
However since yesterday afternoon my other ear has now swollen up too Sad

I'm not sure what's going on I've now had 6 doses of the oral antibiotics and have been using the spray since thursday.

In so much pain, no improvement with the original ear and now the second one is swollen! Struggling to hear and keep on top of the pain at the moment and not sure whether to leave it or contact 111 again?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 13/02/2022 08:24

Contact 111 again, keep going till they manage the pain for you.

hairymuffet · 13/02/2022 09:06

You might need a different antibiotic, after 6 doses, it should be improving

JustALittleHelpPlease · 13/02/2022 13:49

You may need more assistance as pp says. Keep up with the antibiotics and pain relief but get yourself to a&e. You may need some steroids or iv/alternative antibiotics. There should be an ent dr on call who can get you started. Don't mess with your hearing.

SeaToSki · 13/02/2022 15:20

How are you doing today? If not significantly better, then you will need to go and get different antibiotics, it sounds like you have an ENT infection that is spreading rapidly. You dont want to let it get out of control. Antibiotics only work on certain bacteria, so if the doctors guess wrong as to what bacteria you have driving the infection, then they need to switch to another one

CottonSock · 13/02/2022 15:23

My dd had awful ear infections. It does sound like you need to see ENT. Have they swabbed it?

Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 13/02/2022 16:00

Hi, thank you for replies.
Today I've spent most the day drifting in and out of sleep! Can't seem to stay awake although I imagine that's the effects of codeine and 4 nights of bad sleep catching up.

Unfortunately both ear canals are now nearly swollen closed, also have swelling in front of both ears and a sore neck.

When I went to out of hours friday they said ENT would be in contact either tomorrow or Tuesday? But at that point it was just the left ear affected. Have had 7 doses of the antibiotics due the 8th shortly. Right ear is weeping more so than the left has been.

Debating on whether to call out of hours again today (but don't want to come across dramatic and it would be the third time since thursday) I've not had any swabs or anything taken.
First time I've had a problem with my ears, I'm one of those who is reluctant to make a fuss and normally push myself to get on with things but this had floored me.

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 13/02/2022 16:36

If you are having trouble staying awake and your neck is sore as well I think you should go to see out of hours or a and e today. They are both red flags for the infection getting very serious and maybe to the point where you need iv antibiotics very quickly. You also dont want it to get into your throat as it might swell it shut very quickly and cause problems with your breathing and swallowing.

Please make sure a doctor actually sees you in person today, not just phone calls etc

Original poster
Imthecaffeinequeen · 17/02/2022 12:30

Just wanted to update

Thankfully the pain and swelling has mainly subsided now, feeling alot better. However still have some hearing loss!

I managed to get an urgent appointment with ENT who said infection in right side was a middle ear infection, hoovered the ear out and I have a small hole in the eardrum which is effecting my hearing.

So another week of spray for that ear and a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks.
Thank you for everyone's advice Smile

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Pipsqueakpopsqueak · 17/02/2022 22:13

I’ve just been through this throughout December and January. Left ear eventually perforated and then the other one went a few weeks later after i caught a cold. I really feel for you, it’s awful, the pain is up there with early labour.

This was my third one, thankfully my hearing returned in about a month, but be aware it can be up to 3 months!

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