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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Posting here for traffic Have a perforated eardrum am in excruciating pain what would they do at A&E?

146 replies

doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 19:38

As above really....

GP prescribed antibiotics for this two and a half days ago, area is so swollen and painful I am unable to put head on a pillow, pain is not of this earth....

Any wise folks here have any idea what they might do at A&E if I were to go? Will they be able to stop the pain?

Feel like they need to take a Dyson to my ear but suspect it's going to take far more than this....

My God this hurts

OP posts:
littlepeas · 04/04/2019 20:23

I had prescription strength co-codamol when I had an outer ear infection - it worked, but made me very drowsy. The pain was excruciating - worse than labour!

MothersGrimm · 04/04/2019 20:25

Really sounds like you need it seen to tonight. Call 111 and ask for emergency app.

Do you have a raging temp? Any pain in abdomen? Difficulty peeing? Confusion? Go straight to A&E.

JaneEyre07 · 04/04/2019 20:25

Ibuprofen won't touch the pain. You need co-codamol. Absolutely nothing that A & E can do.

Annietheacrobat · 04/04/2019 20:26

With no improvement after two days and in excruciating pain I think it is reasonable for you to seek help. Contact 111 and try to get seen by out of hours GP. At the very least you could be prescribed decent analgesia

mrswishywashy1 · 04/04/2019 20:27

A hot water bottle or a heated (in the microwave) towel against your ear will give you a bit of relief.

pouraglasshalffull · 04/04/2019 20:27

Forgot to add- don't bother with A&E, there's nothing they can do for you other than give you extra-strength painkillers.

Try and get an OOH appointment to get Co-codamol or ring docs first thing in the morning, don't go to your sons appt in the morning, the school will understand. You need rest, warmth and some bloody strong painkillers

alwaysreadthelabel · 04/04/2019 20:30

Are you sure its fully burst? The pain is horrific normally until it bursts fully and then it should subside quite a lot. I feel for you, it really is the worst pain in the world. I would of quite happily ripped my own head off.

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 20:33

Thanks so much to everybody who has been kind enough to respond.

Yes I have had this before but nowhere close to this degree of pain, there was some blood yesterday but today the swelling, pressure and pain is far more immense. I could not even begin to touch it never mind stick anything sterile or not inside!

I have just dug out some co-codomol which are sightly out of date and quite strong (prescribed ages ago for back injury) so will give them a whirl I think.

I would agree about different antibiotics-am just trying to last tonight so I can make it to GP first thing and then onto the meeting. I am sure they'd understand but little one breaks up tomorrow and really want to resolve this ongoing issue prior to the holiday break. (SEN saga but that's a whole other thread!)

OP posts:
Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 20:34

Are you sure its fully burst? oh my goodness yes, the doctor confirmed so when antibiotics were prescribed.

Will try hot water bottle didn't think if that thanks

OP posts:
whatwouldkatyactuallydonext · 04/04/2019 20:36

Dd gets dreadful ear infections- the only thing that seems to comfort her is Epsom or Himalayan bath salts in a cotton sock warmed up in the microwave. If you google it it's definitely a thing! Hope you feel better soon Thanks

Nomorechickens · 04/04/2019 20:37

I would ring 111 and get an out of hours GP appointment, sounds as if you need someone to take a look and see if there's a problem rather than diagnosing by description

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/04/2019 20:39

I honestly would get seen tonight.

MothersGrimm · 04/04/2019 20:40

Take the cocodamol and call 111 whilst you wait for it to kick in. Then it should be helping and you can get to see a doctor.

Haworthia · 04/04/2019 20:43

I agree you should see a OOH GP. You don’t need to suffer in agony tonight.

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 20:43

I have Epsom salts! Will try this thanks!

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Yubaba · 04/04/2019 20:46

Get some paramol from the chemist, it’s stronger than cocodamol.

iolaus · 04/04/2019 21:03

I probably wouldn't go to A&E - but I would go to out of hours GP - you may need different antibiotics they usually start helping after 24 hours

I agree with a previous poster though who said theirs felt better once it burst - mine did

MatchSetPoint · 04/04/2019 21:03

Talk to a 111 doctor over the phone try and get a prescription for strong painkillers something like Diazepam should give you some relief and help you get some sleep.

cheeserolls · 04/04/2019 21:03

Much sympathy.
I had this recently. It was worse than have my two 11lb babies without pain relief.

Sitting up on sofa resting my head on a hot waterbottle after painkillers was the best relief but still bad.

The night time is the worse if I recall. It gets better I promise. ThanksCake

cheeserolls · 04/04/2019 21:04

Diazepam isn't a painkiller.

Strong co codamol and naproxen or diclofenac (spelling?) might help!

taybert · 04/04/2019 21:13

I’d be concerned about the pain being worse after over 2 days of antibiotics and post perforation. The pain usually improves quite quickly after it has perforated. I’d call 111 or do whatever you do to see a GP out of hours in your area.

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 21:19

cheeserolls two 11lb babies? I take my hat off to you-I nearly died having one`!
Yes nighttime has most definitely been worse. I have Naproxen here have just taken the cocodomol if they don't work I will hit the Naproxen.

Have tried 111 a little while ago, no answer as yet but will try again I think

OP posts:
hennaoj · 04/04/2019 21:25

Hot towel in a cup, over the ear. www.goodzing.com/remedies/brynab/hot-towels-in-cups-over-the-ears-to-help-ease-ear-ache

Seniorcitizen1 · 04/04/2019 21:25

This is not a condition for A&E - the clue is in the name

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 04/04/2019 21:28

Senorcitizen I think I'll be the judge of that this evening if you don't mind, but cheers so much for your concern

OP posts: