Any GPs around please? I'm miserable (in AIBU for traffic)

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I have a severe ear infection, started as deafness, turned into absolutely excruciating pain in the ear, a stabbing sensation plus pressure like my head is going to explode.

Had a dr appt yesterday, given eardrops, amoxicillin and co-codamol.

I've gone from being literally hysterical with pain, to being dizzy, nauseous, and vomiting. Not sure if this is caused by the ear infection, the codeine or the antibiotics- I know they can all cause nausea.

24 hours in and no improvement so far. Not as excruciating now I've got the codeine but still a dull heavy pressure and when the codeine starts to wear off still the major pain. I feel absolutely terrible. Just puked again and feel like I can't stand.

Any advice? How long till the antibiotics kick in?

Please and thank you.

Give 111 a call, you may need to be seen again.

You need to be seen again.

111 now.

I’m not a GP but you need to be seen again, either by your GP or at an urgent care unit.

Are you sure it's an ear infection? You could have a severe abscess in a tooth.

That sounds like my experience just before my eardrum perforated. It was almost 30 years ago and I still have constant tinnitus and I get the room spinning stuff every time I have a cold. I'd recommend another appointment if the antibiotics don't kick in.

some heat might help until you can get into see someone, hold a warm hotwater bottle against your ear or a warm wheat bag if you havent got that pour very hot water over a face cloth and wring ti out and wrap in a dry face cloth and hold over your ear,>>>>>>>this wont fix it but might help ease some of the pain until you can see someone for help!

Hot water bottle covered in towel

Im a nurse and you need to call 111,you should be seen again,you may need an IV antibiotic to treat the infection quickly.

What antibiotics do you have? If metronidazole you need to cut all alcohol including that in mouthwash/food etc. It reacts violently with it and will make you sick as a dog.

Also agree that you need to be seen again regardless. They're doing you no good if you cant keep them down.

Co-codomol is the work of the devil, I'd stop taking that if you're feeling dizzy and replace with paracetamol & ibuprofen taken alternately.

Im in the exact same position as you i ended up at ooh last night as the pain was excruciating, was like nithing ive ever felt before. Turns out my ear drum has perforated even with codeine still painfull. However in the last hour my ear has started leaking and the pain is starting to ease.
Hopefully you will start to feel better soon.

Oh god, do I really need to call 111?

Ear infections can make you feel like absolute death, you have my sympathies. I wouldn't expect the antibiotics to have kicked in within 24 hours necessarily, but they certainly won't be working efficiently if you can't keep them down.

Sounds like your eardrum may perforate, and although it is gross, it does take the edge off the pain.

If you're worried I would call 111, it can't do any harm. I hope you feel better soon.

sorry OP, I think you do - what you describe sounds like exactly before an eardrum goes...sorry

where is nearest A&E? I woudn't even bother ringing 111. I know this is shit, we are here for virtual handholds.

oh speaking from experience - it's good to get there while you can still stand up

they will likely give you something to restore your balance as well as other things, e.g. different antibiotic

don't do what I did and fall on the floor - I live alone! xx

I'd be worried that when you're vomiting the antibiotics are coming straight back up again (or at least part of them) so they're not working.

Definitely get yourself seen to again. Could be a reaction to the antibiotics, could be the painkillers, could be the infection itself.

Ear infections are the worst, hope you feel more human again soon

sorry - A&E not right if you have OOH

can't keep up with who has what kind of care in the area.

Yeah good point. The vomiting will stop the antibiotic from working.

I agree with PPs, please call 111 for advice. They will likely send you to A&E or a walk in centre, but you do need to be seen.

Have you had amoxycillin before? It's a fairly common allergy. Co-codamol makes me feel rough as a dog as well. Even after surgery a few years ago they sent me home with some and I just took paracetamol and aspirin instead.

Thank you all. I called 111 and someone is going to call me back within 3 hours apparently.

I'm hesitant to rock up at A&E because there's a highly publicised noro outbreak there atm and it's always total chaos. It's also an hour away. We don't have a walk in or ooh locally anymore, they got merged into the a&e.

Argh fucking ears. How painful is it when it perforates?

My stoic, strong as an ox son was on his knees with earache-similar to what you describe.
Def call 111
hope you feel better soon!

Oh OP, ears are the worst. I really feel for you.

I’d call 111. My worry with infections like this is that they can head towards sepsis and then you really must be seen ASAP.