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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not give the antibiotics?

30 replies

Thumperduck · 08/02/2019 19:47

My 22m DS has a long history of ear infections, mid double figures, and 3 weeks ago got grommets. A week later he got a chest infection and was on antibiotics, which finished on Saturday. On that day I noticed he had what looked like a lot of wax around the ear canal which I cleaned off. Sunday it was back, so cleaned it off again. Yesterday I picked up from nursery and his ear was discharging sticky gloop, but it wasn't particularly coloured or smelly. I couldn't get a doctors appointment but took him today and although it's not coming out, it's still really gloopy apparently.

Doctor diagnosed another ear infection and understood my concerns that amoxicillin wasn't working for him any more as the ear was discharging when he was at the end of his previous course, so prescribed erythromycin instead. DS is well, no temperature, his normal happy self. He doesn't sleep well, but doesn't wake up crying, just calling out for Mummy a few times a night.

AIBU by not giving him the antibiotics, and waiting to see if the ear infection clears by itself as it's not particularly bothering him? Doctor wasn't keen on this approach, but I'm not keen on yet another course of antibiotics before he's even 2.

OP posts:
ozymandiusking · 08/02/2019 19:51

Surely the Dr. knows what he's doing? You don't want your child to suffer with really bad earache, crying in pain. A second course of antibiotics before he is 2 isn't really bad at all.
Please reconsider. x

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 08/02/2019 19:51

So it's better to ask a bunch of random than the doctor?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 08/02/2019 19:52

I really wouldn't. If the infection gets worse it can seriously damage his ear drum. Mine did, and it has a lot of scar tissue now. No noticeable deafness yet but I'm only 28 and perforates a lot.

It needs antibiotics.

Thecreosotekid · 08/02/2019 19:54

Doctors don’t give antibiotics these days unless they think they’re really necessary so on that basis I’d give DS them. Gunk coming out the ear sounds like an infection. They can get worse really fast and you don’t want his eardrum rupturing etc.

acquiescence · 08/02/2019 19:54

I think either approach is ok, as long as you start giving them at the first sign of discomfort or temperature to get it treated. It is important that we don’t overuse antibiotics and while GPs are reluctant to prescribe unless completely necessary for adults the same approach isn’t taken for children all the time. Varies between GPs a lot. Ear infections often do go on their own. Hope he is better soon.

trooth · 08/02/2019 19:55

Follow your doctor's advice.

MrMeeseekscando · 08/02/2019 19:56

Doctors don't give antibiotics easily any more.
Give them they are obviously needed.
Young ears are too precious to muck around with.

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 08/02/2019 19:56

So you been to a qualified medic and you think a load of randoms on the internet know better.

Better disband the NHS now, Cheryl will be a long with her trusty teaspoon to sort out your in growing toenails shortly Hmm

Doubletrouble99 · 08/02/2019 19:57

The Doc. knows what's he's talking about, you DS has had a history of infections and it would be best for him to get it completely cleared up.
I would think the above would definitely trump the thought that he is having another antibiotic before 24 mths.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 08/02/2019 19:57

OP not one of us can possibly give you an answer, we have not examined your child, the GP has, if you want a second opinion speak to a medical professional.

EdtheBear · 08/02/2019 19:58

The thing to remember is its the bugs become resistant rather than the individual.

BridgetJonesDaiquiri · 08/02/2019 20:03

We saw a paediatrician about DD’s ear infections and he said that antibiotics won’t touch a middle ear infection - the body will clear it and/or the ear drum will burst and drain and then heal. Our GP will still prescribe antibiotics for ear infections though.

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/middle-ear-infection-otitis-media

Have you tried warm compresses?

Geminijes · 08/02/2019 20:13

If you're thinking of not following the doctor's advice then why did you take your son to the doctor?

Original poster
Thumperduck · 08/02/2019 20:13

Ok, message received loud and clear. I will start the antibiotics tomorrow. It'll be his 16th course, not second! I just thought as he was well, doesn't seem to be in pain and doesn't have a temperature his immune system was already coping with it and his body might deal with it without the need for antibiotics.

OP posts:
FredFlinstoneMadeOfBones · 08/02/2019 20:15

I would get a second opinion from an actual doctor but if they agree with the first just give the antibiotics. The risk in under 2 is that the infections spreads and they develop something serious or even sepsis.

Original poster
Thumperduck · 08/02/2019 20:16

To the person asking why I went to the doctor - I thought it might have been his glue ear discharging itself, but as I'm not a medic I wanted their opinion as to whether this could happen 3 weeks after grommets insertion. Apparently not, and the gunk is an infection even though it wasn't smelly or particularly coloured.

OP posts:
ShesABelter · 08/02/2019 20:19

No do not muck about with ear infections. Give him the antibiotics.

coppercolouredtop · 08/02/2019 20:20

hi op
a really sensible question imo

but i think the different ABs will zap the bugs fast and sound like its needed.

ears are delicate things - i wouldnt mess with them.

DarkestBeforeDawn · 08/02/2019 20:24

When my three year old had an ear infection, the doctor prescribed him antibiotics but actually said that it was up to me if I wanted to give them. The reason they gave was that ear infections often clear up by themselves. The doctor said I could wait and then give them if my child got a temperature or was lethargic. I never gave them and he was fine (just gave regular calpol).
I think a second medical opinion would be useful as I would be concerned about further antibiotic usage too. Good luck.

ILoveDaveGrohl · 08/02/2019 20:32

I have permanent deafness in one ear due to ear infections. Treat it!

catonlap · 08/02/2019 20:47

www.evidentlycochrane.net/mummy-ears-wet/

EmeraldShamrock · 08/02/2019 20:51

Ask your doctor for ear drop antibiotics but now do not leave him without any as the infection can spread.
Use probiotics to give him a boost after the course to build up his immune system.

EmeraldShamrock · 08/02/2019 20:55

There was a recent thread with lots of remedy and tips for helping and reducing ear infections.
I will try and find it to link. I remember pps mentioning ear drops rather than oral medication.
The poor boy, ear infections are so painful.

RB68 · 08/02/2019 20:55

My DD spent a week in hospital on intravenous ABs following a series of infections which eventually travelled to the small bones behind the ear, we were lucky no hearing loss but at a young age required a donut scan which was pretty scary for her, to check for damage. She had an infection for approx 5 weeks before we saw the swelling behind he ears and was actually OK in herself, but when asked said she was having a bit of pain in her ear but "not alot mum"

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