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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if there are any GPs (or just anyone) before I lose my shit!

84 replies

Peanutss · 11/09/2018 19:20

Probably posting here more for traffic really but I am going to go crazy if I don't get sorted soon!

I've had an ear infection now for nearly a year. It's developed into sounding like I am under water in one ear CONSTANTLY. I basically can't hear at all out of one ear. I whisper because I can't tell how loud I'm speaking most of the time!

I've been to the doctors all in all about 5 times now. I've just completed my third set of antibiotics which haven't touched it again and I've had all sorts of sprays / drops. It goes for maybe a week tops and then it's back.

Right now it's the worst it's ever been. Sometimes it feels as though it's (sorry tmi) drained and then I get a little blood coming out...surely that isn't okay!? I went to the doctor again last week and she said she literally could not see my eardrum because of all the stuff (yuk sorry) in the way.

There must be something more they can do other than giving me antibiotics over and over? I am literally fed up completely now. I've booked again for Thursday at the Drs. What should I be asking for?!

OP posts:
Softkitty2 · 11/09/2018 19:21

Demand for an ENT referral.

MsJolly · 11/09/2018 19:22

A referral to an ENT surgeon.

EmeraldVillage · 11/09/2018 19:22

I would be asking for a referral to an ENT specialist

Quandary2018 · 11/09/2018 19:22

I’d say a referral to an ear nose and throat specialist
If it’s been going on this long and nothing else has worked then it needs escalating

Softkitty2 · 11/09/2018 19:22

Ask as nicely as possible and say I have tried it your way now for a year and it is not clearing up. I want to see a specialist.

Original poster
Peanutss · 11/09/2018 19:26

Thank you I will. I was hoping they'd have offered a referral already but doesn't look like they will.

I'm one of those annoying people who hates questioning anyone or demanding things.

I'm the person who'd tell the hairdresser I loved it when she's just ruined my life!

I'm terrified though. I keep hearing horror stories about a friend's mother's, boyfriend's grandma who lost her hearing because of an ear infection she left!

OP posts:
ATowelAndAPotato · 11/09/2018 19:28

Definitely demand a referral. My mum has recurrent ear infections, and twice a year she goes and has her ears vacuumed at the hospital to clear out all the detritus!

agedknees · 11/09/2018 19:29

I had fluid behind the ear drum once. It also felt as if I was underwater. My Gp sent me to ENT and they sucked it out. Problem solv d.

You need an ENT referral.

Mrsmadevans · 11/09/2018 19:32

Have they sent off swabs for MC&S to see if you are growing bacteria that need different Antibiotics OP. Hope you get better very soon Flowers

liverbird79 · 11/09/2018 19:35

Don't known of this will help but my mum went deaf for a couple of months but no ear infection.

Two month wait to have it drained/sucked out and we went private in the end and it worked instantly.

Spec savers and boots do it

Original poster
Peanutss · 11/09/2018 19:54

@Mrsmadevans I've no idea what that is but no they've definitely not taken any swabs! :(

It definitely feels fluidy (eugh) so draining sounds like it would be a dream!

I was concerned about the blood, that seems to be a fairly new thing. It's like something gives and it goes very damp inside my ear & there's a bit of blood mixed in. I really hope none of you are eating - sorry!

One bonus is that I can't hear my alarm these days. DP is getting fed up of having to poke me awake 😁

OP posts:
Mouikey · 11/09/2018 19:59

Just to say when you get the ear vacuumed it’s the weirdest and most amazing thing ever! Deffo get that referral

Mix56 · 11/09/2018 19:59

A YEAR, that is appalling that your GP hasn't sent you to ENT consultant, of course you must demand it.

EmeraldVillage · 11/09/2018 20:02

Time to put your big girl pants on and be polite but assertive

QueenJane · 11/09/2018 20:04

Nothing new to add other than you should phone and leave a message for the last GP you saw to refer you to ENT. No need to try and get another appointment.

livingthegoodlife · 11/09/2018 20:08

im going through something very similiar (and have had this before). im on my third course of anti biotics and ear spray.

im going to book myself in to have my ears syringed at the GP as experience tells me if the detritus is removed then the itching stops and the hearing comesback.

i once got referred to the ENT for the suction/vacuum thing and it is amazing!

go back!

Original poster
Peanutss · 11/09/2018 20:11

@EmeraldVillage yes I agree, I'll give them a good dust off tonight 😂

@QueenJane she asked me to make another check up appointment last time I went which is Thursday so I think I'll keep the app but will just say I want to be referred now 100%. These antibiotics haven't touched it at all and it's the third time I've been on them now.

I've avoided wine for two weeks for nothing!

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 11/09/2018 20:15

Ask for microsuction, it's usually available at ENT clinic. They usually suck out the gunk then give you drops for the inflammation. The drops can't get to the inflammation while the gunk is in there.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 11/09/2018 20:19

Has a swab been taken to see whether it is bacterial or fungal? Antibiotic drops will not treat a fungal infection. If you haven't had a swab recently I'd go in and explain you haven't had one, as the result will be available within the week, and if it grows a bacteria or fungus they will know exactly what needs treating.

Round here there was a several month period when GPs could not refer to ENT clinic (unless suspected cancer or otherwise very urgent) because they closed their waiting lists.

birdladyfromhomealone · 11/09/2018 20:21

my DH had the same as you, it just went on and on. finally he was sent for microsuction which has completely transformed hi hearing and build up of wax. He now goes to our local cottage hospital twice a year for microsuction, four years on no more ear infections.He has been told never to get his ears wet so ear plugs for swimming showering and hairwashing. We used to scuba dive and they think it damaged his ear drum. I second asking for micro suction good luck and await update

Cobblersandhogwash · 11/09/2018 20:30

Poor you. You must be absolutely miserable.

I have an ear infection right now because of trapped salt water. My left ear is all bunged up and is oozing horrible stuff. I've had this for ten days.

Two rounds of different antibiotics haven't shifted it.

Today the nurse took a swab to see what exactly is causing the infection.

But I also went to my osteopath today because of my back. Told her about my infection and she went to work on my head! Oh boy!

And well, I can't feel the water sloshing around in my ear anymore. I have held my nose and blown and I can actually feel it in my ear whereas before there was just nothing because there was so much water in there. I feel like it's clearing out of its own accord.

Just another perspective.

pitapizzapie · 11/09/2018 20:32

Referral. But suggest, don't demand. Ask at reception which GP is best for ENT, as there may be one, and then ask for an ENT opinion.

GreenTulips · 11/09/2018 20:35

Try Olbas oil in boiling water in your room overnight for a few nights

It can really help unclog

NewUserNameTime · 11/09/2018 20:44

Sounds awful!

Original poster
Peanutss · 11/09/2018 20:46

Interesting to hear others with the same problem. I didn't know recurrent ear infections were a thing before this.

Absolutely no swabs have been taken so I might ask about that on Thursday too.

They've been talking about eczema in the ear but they can't be sure it's that and seem to have just clung to it because I did have eczema a while back. They've not said what they can do about it if it is that though. I can't put cream down my ear!

OP posts: