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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drive myself to A&e in now? Ear infection

141 replies

Giveitarestlove · 28/09/2020 01:35

I've had a ear infection since Wednesday doctor prescribed me amoxicillin. My ear has got worse tonight has been the first night I can't sleep my ear and jaw is pulsating. I start my new job Tuesday I need it sorting i can't function with no sleep.

I'm in so much pain Sad

OP posts:
malificent7 · 28/09/2020 05:51

I am working in a and e this week. Go in....it is not overrun. Best get it checked out. Ear infections are awful.

Whosinwhoville · 28/09/2020 05:58

Go to A and E.
I had to go to A and E once for an ear infection. I spent two days in hospital on IV antibiotics and was poorly for over a month after I got out of hospital.

lotusbell · 28/09/2020 06:06

How are you Op? Did you go to a&e? Hope you are in less pain now

Rainn21 · 28/09/2020 06:12

The last time I had an ear infection 111 told me to go to A&E as severe pain is an Emergency (it was 2am on a Sunday morning, had it been the middle of a Monday I would have tried GP). The Dr said it was lucky I’d gone in as had I waited till Monday eardrum may not have been intact.

Natsku · 28/09/2020 06:18

Severe pain that painkillers do not help is something to at least get out of hours appointment for. Hope you're ok OP.

Suzi888 · 28/09/2020 06:37

@mxjones That was my experience of an ear infection. 111 are bloody useless and in my case, so was my GP. Why should the op Listen to you and ring 111 you could be an idiot too!

Menomosso · 28/09/2020 06:47

@Boomerwang

‘ I'd never dream of walking into A&E where they'd have to source a doctor for me who in all likelihood would be quite annoyed that all I was there for was a prescription.’

They’d have to ‘source a doctor’? Is it hard fo find doctors in hospitals?!

Purpledaisychain · 28/09/2020 06:51

Go to A&E. Antibiotics not working and severe pain is a good enough reason too.

Mrspimplepopper · 28/09/2020 06:51

How are you op?

Quartz2208 · 28/09/2020 06:58

a worsening infection on antibiotics could be something serious and needs more than a telephone conversation

An OOH Doctors appointment would have been the first thought - if you could get one nowadays

An early morning face to face doctors appointment would be the next one (if you could get one of those)

I guess it would depend on fever and other symptoms but given the current circumstances A&E probably is the solution

Purpledaisychain · 28/09/2020 06:58

@Boomerwang

The OP might need more than just a prescription. Hmm I'm guessing that you are not a doctor so you have no business trying to diagnose her as not being 'serious' enough.

cosmo30 · 28/09/2020 07:00

Just go forget what people think on here. If you're in pain and it's getting worse you need to be seen. Even an a&e nurse has suggested going in! Ear infections can cause perforated eardrums. I know from experience these can cause sepsis

captainprincess · 28/09/2020 07:03

Yes, I'd go to ED if it's unbearable. I have done the same with my ear and was admitted and spent 4 days on IV antibiotics. So for people saying they won't be able to do anything, you may need the same.

OverTheRubicon · 28/09/2020 07:03

I had an ear infection.right after having dd1 and swear the pain was close to equal to giving birth ( never told then-DH though, as he's had ear infections before and always suspected that his pains were harder than labour)

Yanbu to go to a&e if needed, but if you're in that level of pain you shouldn't drive.

mxjones · 28/09/2020 07:09

@cosmo30

Just go forget what people think on here. If you're in pain and it's getting worse you need to be seen. Even an a&e nurse has suggested going in! Ear infections can cause perforated eardrums. I know from experience these can cause sepsis
Somebody who said they were and a and e nurse suggested going in.I could be anybody, so could all of us. Op needs to make her own decision.
YukoandHiro · 28/09/2020 07:10

Even a burst ear drum isn't an A&E event. Get some stronger painkillers (your local 24 hour pharmacy or 111 can help with that) and hang out for your GP appt.

Seaswims · 28/09/2020 07:12

How are you doing OP?

Twigletfairy · 28/09/2020 07:16

I get ear infections a couple of times a year, one of the things that I find really helpful is a hot water bottle up against the ear. I find it helps the fluid drain, relieving some of the pressure.

If the ear infection is that bad, I probably wouldn't drive myself. Usually if you phone 111 back and explain your symptoms are getting worse and can't wait to be seen, they will reasses you

bobbiester · 28/09/2020 07:32

The possibility that the eardrum might burst does NOT make it an A&E issue. The pain might. But not this. 1) They can't stop it bursting and 2) as others have said when it perforates the relief is instant!!! Had this a number of times. It feels great!!! It heals over. Just need to avoid getting water in your ears until does.

DocusDiplo · 28/09/2020 07:32

I hope you're ok OP Flowers
Sounds horrific.

ClinkyMonkey · 28/09/2020 07:38

I hope you're OK, OP and I hope you went to A&E. Although it sounded as though driving yourself there might not be wise. No-one on this forum can tell you it's not an emergency. No-one.

BroomHandledMouser · 28/09/2020 07:40

Ah op I know how you feel. The pain is just fecking awful isn’t it.

I’m hoping you’ve managed to get sorted.

I used to have chronic ear infections right up until my 20s. One day my eardrum just collapsed, THE worse pain. Had an op in the end because my ears had been buggered by years of infections.

Feel better soon x

Pobblebonk · 28/09/2020 07:43

What do you imagine A&E will do?

Treat her effectively so that she doesn't get sepsis?

ScrapThatThen · 28/09/2020 07:44

111 got me an instant appointment at out of hours for this, although that was at the weekend so they might direct you to your GP instead?

QueenOllie · 28/09/2020 07:45

Of course you can go. I went with back pain because I wasn't coping with the pain and painkillers weren't working

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