To not give the antibiotics?

[Thumperduck]

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.

That's really interesting - I also read the Cochrane review last night and asked the doctor for antibiotic ear drops instead of oral antibiotics and she point blank refused as he's got grommets - nothing was going to budge her. In hindsight, I should have pressed her to look on the internet while I was sat in her room but I didn't. Always difficult on a Friday afternoon when I was already late for school pick up (due to late running doctor - we sat for 45 minutes after our appointment time) and worrying about that.

I want a second opinion now but don't know how to do that over the weekend - it's not an emergency so it would have to wait until Monday. Hmmm.

If he is in lots of pain it might be worth your while to contact an out of hours gp.
Go back Monday armed with information. I hope they settle soon.

Dd 36 months recently had tonsillitis, was given penicillin, few days later a chest infection and given amoxicillin, had tonsils removed 3 weeks later and then got another chest infection and was given what your ds has been prescribed (can’t spell that one)! It’s amazing stuff and doctors will not usually prescribe antibiotics if there is no need.

He is very little - do what docs say

Doctors don’t give antibiotics these days unless they think they’re really necessary

Not from my neck of the woods! I took dd to doctors with back acne. He gave her cream and 1 months supply of antibiotics. I didn't let her take the antibiotics but put the cream on, it cleared within days. Few week ago I took ds with what looked like eczema on his foot but it looked quite red and angry so I thought a doctor should see it. Again was prescribed antibiotics and cream so I just put cream on and didn't bother with antibiotics. It cleared up within a couple of days. I think you know yourself if they really need them. I did and I was right.

Just an update - we started the 5 day course on Saturday morning. His ear was still oozing yesterday so I took him back to the doctor. He thought it would probably clear up on it's own but also gave antibiotic ear drops for a week. Today it was still oozy but hopefully it will clear up soon!