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.

Sorry but this is normal it'll take 2 to 3 days before you start to feel any better and I say this as someone who gets regular ear infections try to lie down and move as little as possible it'll help with both your dizziness and nausea

Massive sympathies to the other ear infection sufferers. Never felt anything like it before.

Poor DP doesn't quite know what to do to help, he's just asked if I want to watch the little mermaid to cheer me up.

When mine perforated once initial shooting pain gone was a huge relief! Pain over v quickly. The pressure equalised quickly, I had puss running from both ears! Gross! It’s so painful you have my sympathies

I had the same thing once, I couldn't sleep for several days as the pain was so bad. The canal closed up and tried several different A.Bs and then it suddenly perforated and felt great

I was deaf in that ear for a couple of weeks though!

How long till it perforates?

I literally feel like my head is going to explode, in addition to being stabbed in the ear repeatedly with a bbq skewer.

Did they take a swab to see what antibiotics you need? I had to have three different types before they worked - the spray was the only think that made a difference. It was total agony 😰

If you feel like your head is about to explode from pressure and pain I'd say pretty soon but when it does it's bliss gross but bliss

General advice is to allow 3 days for the antibiotics to start working noticeably. Co-codamol in the 30/500 is strong stuff. You will be taking 60mg of Codeine every dose, which is a big dose and will make anyone feel very nauseated and if you are sensitive to it, more so. It can also constipate you, so keep your fluid intake high. Take the co-codamol as long as you are feeling the pain breaking through between doses but as this subsides you can cut the dose to 1 co-codamol 4 X daily to reduce the codeine. You can take Ibuprofen at the same time as co-codamol the dose is 400mg 3 X daily if you need more pain relief - as long as you have no known allergies to ibuprofen or are asthmatic.

I have had an inner/outer canal infection and the pain is exquisite. Sleep impossible, and concentration shot so watching tv was out of the question. Co-codamol was the only option and i am sensitive to codeine so it was a miserable few days. My ear drum did not burst and the outer canal was badly ulcerated and leaking blood and puss. My teeth felt electrified and at times I couldn't even close my mouth. I had no idea ear infection could be so painful!

Don't fear a perforation - it may not be v painful at all, and the relief of the pressure going away is fantastic

please don't put anything in your ear to "relieve pain" - I know its agony & I may sound like I am being ott & you know this I am sure - but I also know how bad ear infections can feel! Desperation from pain/agony!

I won't put anything in my ear. Tempted to pour a bottle of bourbon down my gob though!

But doubt that will help my nausea or mix well with the drugs

My ear drum burst a year ago. The pain before it burst was the worst I have ever had and I would of quite happily shot myself in the head to stop it. Once it had burst the relief was instant. The copious amounts of blood and pus not so much but the pain went. Be careful not to get your ear wet in anyway. I used cotton wool smothered in Vaseline placed very gently in the ear.

I hope it bursts soon for you. Xx

Oh yes it's so much better when your eardrum perforates. Sounds terrible but it's sweet relief.

This happened to me. 12th December felt pain, straight to GP and given amoxicillin. By the Sunday I had cried for 3 days, called 111 and they gave me an appointment at hospital walk in. I was then sent to ENT ambutory care, and given codeine (thank god, this took the pain away). And co-glaximov?

Was seen every other day for draining and had a wick inserted.

By Christmas Eve the infection was back in other ear, went back
To ENT and same again. Finally it has gone, 3 weeks and a ruined Christmas.

Press 111 for a Dr app so you can get better pain relief to get you through !

Oh god, 3 weeks! I'm still waiting for a 111 call back.

Yesterday I was in total hysterics. Did you have a wick because your ear canal had closed up?

How are you op?

I am much better thank you for asking! The antibiotics have kicked in and i'm still deaf but no longer in pain and crying like a twarted toddler. God bless the NHS!

Back at work now though sadly :-(

But so delighted that i'm not being stabbed in the brain anymore that i'm not even too grumpy about work.

Thank you everyone who was kind and gave advice.

I had something similar until my ear perforated after about a day. Release in pressure was amazing, blood and pus not so. Go back if you have seen no improvement.