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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

DH says I’m a baby for wanting to see GP for ear infection

146 replies

Ohtheaudacity · 04/03/2022 06:51

I’ve had a cold all week, standard stuff, but in the last 48 hours it’s gone all to my sinuses and ears. I woke up Wednesday night with horrible ear ache in one ear. It’s only got worse and I’m now totally deaf in said ear, can’t lie on that side for the pain, etc. I’ve not slept at all due to the pain and discomfort. DH says I’m mad to bother the GP with it as it’s “just” an ear infection and I need to tough it out. I understand protecting the nhs and I barely go to the doctors ever other than for pill checks and smears. I’m just really struggling and exhausted. What do I do?

OP posts:

CaptainMyCaptain · 04/03/2022 07:35

I have a hearing impairment and now wear hearing aids due to an ear infection (labyrinthitis) years ago. Go to the doctor. Your DH is the baby not you.

FlipFlops4Me · 04/03/2022 07:36

My mother had an ear infection which she ignored and soldiered on. She ended up having an emergency operation lasting a few hours while they dealt with the infection which was eating into the skull between her ear and brain. She ended up with a skull about 1mm thick and having to be cautious for the rest of her life....

WouldIwasShookspeared · 04/03/2022 07:36

Ear infections are horrendously painful and worst case scenario for an untreated ear infection is not pretty.

Why suffer when you don't have to?

gogohm · 04/03/2022 07:37

Call them better to be safe. I remember being told that only 1 in 10 ear infections need antibiotics though, I was told wait 5 days and see if it improves before taking antibiotics

chesterelly1 · 04/03/2022 07:39

I've needed steroids twice for a dis functional Eustachian tube which caused a lot of pain and dizziness. I'd go to the gp if I were you. Not sure what you can do about any other tubes that are troubling you though

Bonbon21 · 04/03/2022 07:40

Do NOT put anything..oil etc.. into your ear..
A warm.. not hot.. hot water bottle/wheat bag held against it might give some pain relief.
Demand to see GP asap... do not be fobbed off.. emphasis the spinning... falls risk...
Husband is an arse... ignore all his wingeing... he knows nothing.

Pegasushaswings · 04/03/2022 07:42

@littlepeas

Go to the GP! I had an ear infection a few years ago and the pain was worse than labour...I needed 2 courses of antibiotics to clear it and was also prescribed strong painkillers by the GP, who took it very seriously. I also went completely deaf in the affected ear - it took quite a while for my hearing to come back and I also ended up with Bell's Palsy on that side and was drained for weeks afterwards. 'Just' an ear infection is bullshit.

Same for me without the Bells palsy thankfully, ear infections can be incredibly painful!

Letseatgrandma · 04/03/2022 07:44

I have just been to the GP for an inner ear infection-they would only prescribe antibiotics as it had been going on for well over a week.

Thewindwhispers · 04/03/2022 07:47

You ignore your DH - and mumsnet - and take medical advice from either 111 or your GP receptionist.

And you never take risks with your health. Every year a few people die from infected teeth cavities, dunno anout ear but infections are not to be treated lightly.

You DH is a bossy idiot by the way.

BlackeyedSusan · 04/03/2022 07:57

Go to the GP if the pain is keeping you awake. Ears can hurt really badly.

NoLongerTroels · 04/03/2022 07:59

Yes go to the Dr and tell your Dh he's a massive friggin idiot. I have hearing loss in one ear from an ear infection that wasn't treated. GP office wouldn't give me an appointment for 2 weeks, treat at home with paracetamol and keep your ear warm they said!

Sundancerintherain · 04/03/2022 08:01

Glad you're going to phone the GP for proper advice.
As for your 'D'H, mine used to say similar shite, until the day that I felt awful and he shouted over his shoulder on his way out to work " do let me know if they blue light you to hospital "
Apparently when my mum did just that he was rather shocked . He has never been such an arse since in the last 25 years .

MintyGreenDream · 04/03/2022 08:01

Id go to the Dr for any infection

raspberryjamchicken · 04/03/2022 08:02

If the pain is that bad you definitely need to see a GP. I had similar last year and left it then it took two courses of antibiotics to clear it.

User839516 · 04/03/2022 08:06

I had a terrible ear infection when I was breastfeeding (so like you hadn’t taken anything for it) and eventually ended up at the out of hours GP cause it started to leak blood and fluid. Dr took one very quick look and said ‘oh yes my goodness you’ve burst your eardrum’. It was so sore but I was glad someone had vindicated how much pain I was in! I got antibiotics I think but it took ages for my hearing to come back properly. Hope your okay.

BOOTS52 · 04/03/2022 08:08

You need to see the doctor as sinus pain is so painful and it affects your face with pain and your ears and is horrible and is the worst pain really. I suffer from sinus pain a lot and sudofed does help the spray to clear the sinus but it sounds like you may need antibiotics as it is gone to your ear. Drink lots of water and a hot shower helps a lot but please see a pharmacist or your doctor as soon as you can. Your fella does not sound like he has much empathy for you when you are ill and sounds selfish. Bet if it was him ill he would be expecting you to look after him. Get well soon as so painful.

Question887 · 04/03/2022 08:13

Ignore him. I used to get s lot of ear infections, the pain is excruciating. The last one I had, i didn't sleep for days, couldn't touch my ear and was off balance. I ended up with two types of antibiotics

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/03/2022 08:19

Why do you need his permission?

BurnDownTheDiscoHangTheDJ · 04/03/2022 08:20

Yeah, tough this one out. And then when the eardrum perforates and you end up very ill and deaf, your husband can be super proud of you 🤦🏼‍♀️

FWIW Oscar Wilde died from complications after a perforated eardrum. That’s what happened before antibiotics.

tiredanddangerous · 04/03/2022 08:24

Ear infections can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Please call your GP. And you are married to a complete idiot.

MajorCarolDanvers · 04/03/2022 08:25

Ear infections can lead to hearing loss.

They can also be as painful as tooth ache.

Go to the GP.

Your DH is a moron.

Cakecakecheese · 04/03/2022 08:26

Of course you should see a GP. Your husband's attitude is quite dangerous really, with a lot of conditions if you wait until it's really bad it can be harder to treat.

KindlyKanga · 04/03/2022 08:28

@Ohtheaudacity

Ok thanks everyone, I’ve been told! I’ve just stood up and the room is spinning. God it’s awful. DH really is an arse with all things health. He thinks unless your arm is falling off it’s business as usual. Will phone the GP when they open.

Good. They will decide if they can help or not not your DH.

Iwouldlikesomecake · 04/03/2022 08:32

He’s a fucking moron. Things I’ve left and not seen a doctor for include rupturing ankle ligaments and dislocating my shoulder- yet I ended up in A&E with an ear infection and needed strong antibiotics, it was literally the worst pain I’ve ever experienced

Applebrewsterstea · 04/03/2022 08:40

GP visit for definite. Long term neglect of this type of things can lead to hearing loss.

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