Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
TheSniffleSeason · 28/09/2020 07:57

Ddos has been to A & E twice with ear infections both times she has been admitted for 5 days. It's not really correct to say ear infections should never go to there. She had swelling behind and down under her ear which can be dangerous I believe.

Toothsil · 28/09/2020 07:58

For all the people saying it's not an A and E issue, it may be that in the OP's town, that's what they call out of hours. It is in our town, it's a small town with a small hospital, and out of hours you are seen in A and E. Everyone here calls it A and E. You rarely see anyone else there, you're usually the only one in the waiting area and the only one when they take you through to the cubicles.

OP I hope you got seen and are feeling a bit better now. Ear pain can be absolutely horrific, and as others have said, it CAN be an emergency.

Quartz2208 · 28/09/2020 08:00

A face to face Doctor would be able to see if they can work out exactly what and where the infection is.

The first stage antibiotic hasnt worked - so it is likely to need something much stronger. The infection is spreading

This isnt just a ring up I have an ear infection and get a prescription. The OP has done that and it is worsening. Further attention is needed and promptly

PurpleDaisies · 28/09/2020 08:06

This isnt just a ring up I have an ear infection and get a prescription. The OP has done that and it is worsening. Further attention is needed and promptly

Telephone appointments often lead to patients going in for examinations. A gp phone consultation is a sensible thing for 111 to have organised.

Thisisnotnormal69 · 28/09/2020 08:13

Hope you have had some treatment now OP! Flowers

Original poster
Giveitarestlove · 28/09/2020 08:14

Morning everyone i fell sleep at 3 and woke up at 7 kind of wish I just went now. As I've been in tears all morning because of the pain. I'm going to ring the doctors this morning see what he suggests. I'm dreading starting work tomorrow like this.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 28/09/2020 08:15

Purpledaisies normally 111 would have been able to organise a OOH appt. we used to have a weekend doctor service.

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 28/09/2020 08:23

i doubt you will be working tomorrow op, it is ok to take time off with earache that makes you cry

1990shopefulftm · 28/09/2020 08:29

My DH had a similar situation a couple of months ago, got two courses of amoxicillin, the first prescribed without any examination at all and the second after ringing 111 who sent him to a walk in centre and they got him in and out very quickly so didn't think it could be something more serious . It turns out he had an infection which amoxicillin doesn't work on and can lead to pneumonia in some people so sometimes ear pain can be more than a simple infection.

He got properly diagnosed, after his gp offered him a swab test as they again wouldn't examine him in person so I d call your GP and I d push for a test to check what infection it is just incase you end up with antibiotics that aren't effective again.

Original poster
Giveitarestlove · 28/09/2020 08:34

They gave me the amoxicillin without seeing me aswell. I can't even get through to the doctors the line is busy I'm going to try 111 again.

OP posts:
Thedot90 · 28/09/2020 08:34

Sorry but there is no such thing as an ear infection which directly “leads to pneumonia”.
Ditto an ear infection which “explodes into the brain”.
It’s interesting what people think they hear the doctor say

GhostTypeEevee · 28/09/2020 08:55

When I had a horrendous ear infection I was given amoxicillin at first but when that didn't work I had swabs taken, was given ear drops and then had my ear 'hoovered' to get rid of any debris plus a wick put in as the inside of my ear was so swollen.

When you're having a shower don't get any water in it as I was told it's like putting oil on a flame and it can make it more painful.
Have they said what sort of ear infection it is?

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 28/09/2020 09:05

i thought you had a booked telephone appointment?

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 28/09/2020 09:06

amoxicillin is the first drug of choice but so many of us are becoming antibiotics resistant.

mxjones · 28/09/2020 09:31

We aren't becoming antibiotics resistant, the bacteria are.

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 28/09/2020 09:32

@mxjones

We aren't becoming antibiotics resistant, the bacteria are.
exactly,
Dugsbollox · 28/09/2020 09:42

Earache is horrible, OP. I'm sorry you're in such pain, hopefully you'll get effective treatment and pain relief today. (I'd have gone into A&E if it was as severe as yours).

Scweltish · 28/09/2020 09:47

So annoying when doctors prescribe oral antibiotics for an ear infection. I find they rarely work, you need antibiotic drops

doctorhamster · 28/09/2020 09:48

Just go to a&e op. Pain that you can't cope with is absolutely a reason to go. I really hate the "thou shall not attend a&e unless thou hast a limb hanging off" attitude that's parroted round on here.

Northernsoullover · 28/09/2020 09:54

Do any of the mumsnetters here remember CatThiefKeith? It was an ear infection that contributed to her sad passing. Please see someone. Yes its a rare occurrence, but its been going on a long time now.

caughtalightsneeze · 28/09/2020 10:11

@Northernsoullover

Do any of the mumsnetters here remember CatThiefKeith? It was an ear infection that contributed to her sad passing. Please see someone. Yes its a rare occurrence, but its been going on a long time now.
I do. And she was only young. Didn't she develop meningitis as a result?
Osirus · 28/09/2020 10:29

@Northernsoullover

Do any of the mumsnetters here remember CatThiefKeith? It was an ear infection that contributed to her sad passing. Please see someone. Yes its a rare occurrence, but its been going on a long time now.
That’s odd as I was only thinking about her this morning. She had the best sense of humour; I miss her posts.
bigarsebelinda · 28/09/2020 10:30

Full sympathy OP. I've had this and it's horrendous. Hope you can get some relief in the next 24 hrs.

Osirus · 28/09/2020 10:31

@Thedot90

Sorry but there is no such thing as an ear infection which directly “leads to pneumonia”. Ditto an ear infection which “explodes into the brain”. It’s interesting what people think they hear the doctor say
I think the poster meant she had pneumonia at the same time, which is why her ear infection wasn’t healing.

Infection can spread to the brain if it’s close enough to it - for example from a tooth abscess.

AmberAndAlexsMum · 28/09/2020 10:33

Definitely go. I went on Friday with both ears infected and in so much pain nothing was touching it. I was referred to ENT who investigated my ears, realised I had a serious infection in both and prescribed codeine for the pain, and antibiotic eardrops. I doubled up the painkillers with paracetamol, and I needed it.

So definitely go

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.