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

[Peanutss]

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?!

@Blackrockmum the oral antibiotics I just had were Flucloxacillin.

They were my third set of oral antibiotics for this. Though I can't remember what the other 2 were!

I've not been prescribed Fusidic Acid cream.

Before this I'd been given a spray called Otamize and Flumetasone / Clioquinol drops.

Nothing seems to work. Or it does for a few days and then its back!

Should have read 'ive NOW been prescribed Fusidic Acid cream.

Are the drops blackrock is think of Gentamicin?

DD got those from the hospital alongside IV antibiotics and again from the GP for her more recent non MRSA infections that sounded like OPs (after courses of amoxycillin and some combo penicillin/other antibiotic which did naff all). They worked a charm.

Fusidic acid cream is what me DD has for her eczema - your GP is insistent isn't she!?

Bless you @Peanutss, hope it is sorted soon.

Seems that way Bumpinthenight !

If it really is eczema i wonder what they do... I can't put cream down my ear surely!

I spent years being told I had eczema in my ears because of symptoms just like yours, itching, a full feeling, hearing loss and oozing. It wasn’t. It was a cholesteatoma which ended up as a bone infection. I was told I was at risk of meningitis because the infection ate away the bone between my ear and my brain.
When you’ve had drops before have you even tasted them when you’ve put them in? When I’ve had perforated drums I’ve been able to taste the drops when I’ve put them in my ears.
I’m very wary of the advice to put more stuff in your ears. And I really wouldn’t allow a syringing either. You need an ENT referral.
Could you see a different GP?

@DaftCat hmm that's concerning!!! :(

About the drops, I had them months ago so I'm not sure whether I tasted them, it's not something I recall but I can't be sure now.

Will the syringing hurt if the ear drum is perforated?

I've been putting the cream she gave me on the outside of my ear and to be honest it seems to have made my skin drier if anything so I'm not sure about this yet.

I suppose I could make an appointment with another GP. Every time I go she asks me to make the appointment with her.

I love the NHS but if you've got the money pay for a private appointment with a consultant.I've just done this as the NHS waiting list to see one was 6 months for a neurological condition.

If it is something you're concerned about it would get you some expert advice quicker. I can not recommend it enough and it's not something I really considered until someone mentioned it to me.

Good luck! I really hope it gets sorted for you.