Baby perforated ear drum

[yentirb]

Hi,

Since March 2022 my 17 month olds ear had perforated 6 times. Each time there's periods of intense screaming for hours, pure agony and then it bursts and leaks A LOT of green and sometimes bloody, waxy discharge.

First time I went to A&E because I'd never seen anything like it, they explained it had perforated and it would heal by itself but if it continues to leak green they'd recommend antibiotics because it may come with a middle ear infection.

It's happened many times since, my GP practice will not put me through to a doctor, just the same nurse prescriber who on most occasions will not prescribe antibiotics for a middle ear infection (or any infection for that matter). The newest refusal was "are you sure it's not just teething?"

Each time I've gone to the walk in after getting nowhere with the GP. The walk in centres (two that see children in my area) are both on skeleton staff and will triage not treat. So they explain it's infected, please get antibiotics from your GP.

Now I'm at the point where it's happened again, I actually think he has little to no hearing in his right ear from it.

I've not got a specific health visitor i had one visit once, so I rang their office and was told
Someone would phone me back, I've chased this again on Friday and obviously will continue when they open. I will be ringing GP tomorrow again.

Walk in told me A&E is not suitable because it can be dealt with with GP. But surely, he can't go on like this? He doesn't sleep, he's not always in constant pain but when it bursts he's in agony. His ear smells infected, it's just cruel he's absolutely miserable. So I went to A&E last night and it was a 15 hour wait, he got seen after 11 (thankfully) and they said "it's perforated, not healed and looks inflamed" and advised me to see a GP Monday.

What the hell do I do I'm so upset, I'm really struggling. He screams and headbutts things and I don't know how to help him.

The nurse said "this is normal, some kids are like this" but to be in so much pain and not respond when I call him near his right ear is not normal.

Sorry for long text I haven't slept properly for a few days and I'm stressed beyond belief just looking for anyone who's experienced similar

If I can find a private care that allow pay monthly finance options I'll definetly go private, I qualify and have a job lined up in September as a nurse. It's not amazing money but it's an income, so I will be able to pay for private so im looking at options now, I just can't believe how she spoke to me

My son was like this, but we were given full treatment by our GP. Personally, I would go into your GP practice and insist you both want a copy of the complaints procedure and inform them that you will not be leaving until your son is seen by doctor. You can print off the NICE guidelines for these things and take them in with you, to highlight what care he should be receiving.

yentirb

DH thinks there's been negligence on their behalf, but they want to pin it on me rather than take accountability.

I think that's the case exactly. When you make your complaint, include copies of the appointment cards, any phone calls and any paperwork from the hospital. The GP sounds like a complete disgrace, who knows that she's about to be in deep shit.