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Absolute bloody disaster!! We're supposed to go to Disneyland in a few hours

248 replies

Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 05:37

We have to leave at 9am to drive to the eurotunnel and go to Disneyland and I've been awake since 2am with a sobbing 4 year old really distressed that his ear hurts. We've all had horrible coughs/colds this last week and I think his has developed into an ear infection. He keeps asking if we can still go and I'm telling him not to worry and just to rest but then he gets distressed that he doesn't want to not go. I phoned 111 at 3am but not heard back yet (I know that might sound dramatic, but it is the weekend and it seemed better than A&E?)

He's had calpol when he first woke, ibuprofen not long ago, got a warm flannel on his ear. I'm sat up so he can rest on me and be a bit more upright to try ease pain. We wait for the doctor to call. But in the mean time.. gonna have to shatter all my kids excitement about Disneyland aren't I?

OP posts:
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Zonder · 17/02/2024 09:31

Hope you've managed to get a prescription. In our multiple experiences of ear infections the pain subsides really quickly once you get the antibiotics.

Jessforless · 17/02/2024 09:31

I hope you’re on your way there OP!

fwiw, I fell ill in Disneyland a few years ago and they had a doctor to my room within about 15 minutes and transfer to hospital within about another 15.

BobbyBiscuits · 17/02/2024 09:33

There is no way you should go to A&E for an ear infection. This is not an accident and you are only deeming it an emergency because of your holiday plans. Plus you would be there for about 15 hours. Once he has his meds from GP I reckon you'll be fine to go. I used to get ear infections a lot as a kid, it's not fun but they don't last long once treated.

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Reprobatecake · 17/02/2024 09:35

I'm astonoshed at anyone suggesting A & E for an ear infection. No wonder there's such a long wait for patients with a genuine need. And it would be beyond stupid to put ear drops in a painful ear without looking in the ear first; what if the child's ear drum is perforated?

Ear infections may or may not need ABs, usually they don't. If I was the mum, I'd dose the child up with pain relief, travel, and then see how things go.

idontlikealdi · 17/02/2024 09:36

I'd just go to France and get antibiotics there if not improved. Not a and e for a for an ear infection

Oblomov24 · 17/02/2024 09:36

@hollylou

1TangoWhiskeyAlphaTango
Just take him to a&e now @Sneakysloth

"This is terrible advice and complete misuse of A&E! Speak to a pharmacy when they open for advice, most ear infections don't need treatment and can be managed with painkillers."

I disagree with this. Not about whether you do or do not go to A&E. I'm just talking about ear infections, generally. They can be incredibly painful. May require antibiotics, drops, and also said pain killers. All this nonsense of 'soldier on through, taking nothing' is not for all. Wouldn't be my choice. If I'm in pain I'd do everything to get rid of it asap.

ShareTheDuvet · 17/02/2024 09:37

@justasking111 that's not a reason for everyone with an ear infection to go to A&E 😳😳😩

Snowsp · 17/02/2024 09:40

Do you have travel insurance? I know the kids will be disappointed but if you can go another time it won't be as disappointing.

RadiatorHead · 17/02/2024 09:41

changefromhr · 17/02/2024 07:03

Shocking how many people think it is acceptable to go to A&E for this. No wonder waiting times are a mess. Ridiculous.

I would still go op. And warm olive oil can work wonders for ears.

I was going to say this. Definitely not an A&E issue. I’ve only just got over a bad ear infection and saw the GP three times for antibiotics as pus was pouring out of it. Despite the pain, it never once occurred to me to go to casualty 🙄

Knickerbockerstory · 17/02/2024 09:43

Don’t misuse an and e just because it’s more convenient as you have a holiday booked !!!
Ear infections can be dealt with using 111 / urgent care or the new pharmacy system. You might have to modify your schedule but that’s the better option than a and e. If you wouldn’t do it for clinical need at any other time then the holiday doesn’t alter that

Flopsythebunny · 17/02/2024 09:50

Josette77 · 17/02/2024 05:41

I would go to a&e and get antibiotics. Then leave on your trip and he'll feel better tomorrow.

Ideally find an after-hours but if not a&e.

It isn't an accident or an emergency! Op is likely going to still be sat waiting in a&e tomo3

fourelementary · 17/02/2024 09:50

@Sneakysloth I hope you’re all on your way. Fwiw antibiotics only really reduce an ear infection from 5 days duration to 3 on average and have side effects and risks of resistance so personally I’d just go to France and if necessary get abx from the pharmacy there. Take plenty calpol and nurofen and dose up. Grab a buggy when there for him if needed as they’re huge.

Brefugee · 17/02/2024 09:51

Sneakysloth · 17/02/2024 06:43

That's only if we can postpone.. if the money is gone anyway then just we will (if he is at a level he can manage) try and make the best of it.. Sad

is your train definitely definitely running? i have had to change my train (tomorrow) because of a strike in France. If you're lucky (and don't want to travel) you may be able to cancel/postpone with no extra charge.

Hope your DC is better soon

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 17/02/2024 09:55

changefromhr · 17/02/2024 07:03

Shocking how many people think it is acceptable to go to A&E for this. No wonder waiting times are a mess. Ridiculous.

I would still go op. And warm olive oil can work wonders for ears.

A&E is up the shitter due to chronic underfunding, under staffing and a lack of availability of ward beds from a knock on of the lack of social care. Not because ill people need care.

If a child is ill (too ill to sleep) with a minor ailment but dares to be ill out of office hours then yes go to A&E -which often have a UTC on site. it’s not your fault the system is run into the ground.

Stop blaming people for accessing healthcare they need and blame the people who aren’t funding it.

Saying that I wouldn’t go to A&E I’d call 111 and get an out of hours GP OR go to the nearest UTC or 24 hr pharmacy. (Mainly because there are alternatives in my area that would bypass A&E.

Flopsythebunny · 17/02/2024 09:55

cerisepanther73 · 17/02/2024 08:41

Pure Coconuts 🥥 oil is beneficial for ears and garlic is too,

Otomise spray for outer ear infection

you can buy over the counter at Pharamacy at Supermarkets

certain essential oils can be beneficial

Obviously need to ensure he has no allergies to this too..

Essential oils will not help with an ear infection and can actually cause more harm than good. Putting coconut oil or garlic in an ear with a bacterial infection is one of the most irresponsible things I've ever read on here.
Let me guess...you are part of an mlm that sells these "cures"

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 17/02/2024 09:57

fourelementary · 17/02/2024 09:50

@Sneakysloth I hope you’re all on your way. Fwiw antibiotics only really reduce an ear infection from 5 days duration to 3 on average and have side effects and risks of resistance so personally I’d just go to France and if necessary get abx from the pharmacy there. Take plenty calpol and nurofen and dose up. Grab a buggy when there for him if needed as they’re huge.

It depends on the infection though. My DD’s ears were so swollen she couldn’t hear. She had a 7 day course, and then needed another one.

Longma · 17/02/2024 10:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Whatnowfgs · 17/02/2024 10:02

Otomize is an antibiotic. It's a prescription only product. You can't buy it without a prescription.

RosesAndHellebores · 17/02/2024 10:02

As the mother of a two grown up dc who as tiniest had rank ears, with recurrent ear infections, three burst ear drums between them, and a regular traveller to France, I am appalled by the advice on this thread.

The child is ill and may deteriorate, the ear drum may burst en-route. The mother has had no sleep and there are other small children. Add I to the mix the fact that the father is probably unused to driving onto Eurotunnel and unused to driving in France where even with sat nav, significant attention will have to be paid and a passenger may need to help with lane positioning. If the drum were to burst in the tunnel, it will be distressing for the entire family, let alone the child. If as turning off/joining the auto-route or on the perifique if taking that route, it is potentially very dangerous. The child will scream, the others will cry and the drivers concentration will be shot.

Add into the mix the fact that the family probably speak no French, this could happen off the beaten track and is rather more complex than trois croissant still vous plait and there will be difficulties.

It's an insurance job. The trip needs to be delayed rather than risk an absolutely miserable time.

As for the A&E/AB arguments, it's as absurd as it's irrelevant. And never ever shoukd anything be put into a hurty ear without professional advice. As for pharmacies prescribing, is it as simple as that? There will have to be a "consultation" with a prescriber, will they be immediately available? Are they in every pharmacy? I'm also not sure whether AB's are available over the counter any more in France, certainly not for children and the opening hours of pharmacies certainly don't mirror those in the UK.

Cancel OP. Get the insurance claim in. Call Eurotunnel and Disney ASAP and take the children to Chessington/Leyland on Monday if they are better as a little sop. Rebook but bear in mind there may be a supplement if you go in high season. The insurance will only pay what you have paid.

Destiny123 · 17/02/2024 10:06

Tilleuil · 17/02/2024 07:30

Really?
in the old days when the NHS worked my gp called an ent consultant who saw ds that afternoon. Ear infection is nasty.

Certainly doesn't happen (and totally unnecc) for the past 10y I've been a Dr and the 5y prior to that I was in uni. Very easily managed by gp/pharmacist

Please don't waste a&es time it is neither an accident or emergency and hence you'll be waiting hours and exacerbating the overstretch. 111 will tell you where the nearest appropriate treatment location is

Clearinguptheclutter · 17/02/2024 10:08

Very much hope you get a prescription and you’re on your way
I’m sure eurotunnel will be flexible if you explain.

billybear · 17/02/2024 10:11

how about local chemist they can give medication now for a list of conplaints good luck

Trulyme · 17/02/2024 10:13

I didn’t think they gave antibiotics for ear infections.

Both me and my DD have had nasty ear infections and seen different GPs and both wouldn’t give us antibiotics.

The NHS website also says to visit the GP if it doesn’t clear up after X amount of days or if they’re reoccurring.

I would have just gone to the pharmacy and stock up on calpol and anything they recommended and take a flask of hot water and flannel.

I’d rather go and take the risk and potentially not have the best time, than cancel or delay it and he feel fine in a few hours time.

ohtowinthelottery · 17/02/2024 10:13

I'm astounded and appalled in equal measures at the number of people saying go to A&E. This is not an A&E situation, and just because the OP is due to go on holiday doesn't make it an emergency. Have you all been living under a rock and missed all the news reports on the state of the NHS and the long waits at A&Es around the country. The advertising campaign telling you which service to use for different conditions and situations has clearly passed you by!

Berlioz23 · 17/02/2024 10:20

@Whatnowfgs thats for otitis externa, the most likely scenario for OPs child is otitis media.