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

[Ohtheaudacity]

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?

What a dickhead

Glad you got seen to! I was going to encourage you to go to the dr as I had a nasty ear infection at Christmas and it took 2 rounds of antibiotics to clear it up. It's miserable. I hope the antibiotics do the trick and you're on the mend ❤️‍🩹

Well done for going OP, any kind of infection has the potential to become serious, as your DH has now learned. Hope you feel better soon.

Well done OP! Ear infections are so so painful.

@Ohtheaudacity

Wellll it all got a bit dramatic. I went to the GP who was concerned the infection had spread into my jaw, so I was sent to hospital for a scan. They decided it was borderline so I’m back home with pretty heavy duty antibiotics for the next 10 days with a review on Monday if I feel no better. DH is very contrite and has taken over all childcare duties until I’m feeling better. Thanks all for the advice on here, I’d never had an ear infection before so didn’t know if how I was feeling was par for the course.

You poor thing, ear infections are so painful - and as you've found can be serious. Glad to hear you're getting treatment now, and also that your DH is very contrite and looking after the kids. Hopefully he'll never be so idiotic again. Hope you feel better soon.

@ThisBloodyNoiseInMyHead

It's highly likely that your Eustachian tubes are blocked. A GP once told me that to clear them you need to pick your nostrils closed, then blow hard as if you're blowing your nose. Kee doing that and eventually, it will clear.

Not if it’s an infection it won’t. She isn’t describing a bit of ear wax! Ear infections are exceptionally painful and if I attempted this while I had one I would likely pass out with the searing pain it would generate.

Glad you've been seen and I hope the antibiotics work. One plus, if he ever pulls this stroke again with either you or the children you can remind him what a dick he made of himself this time around.

Glad you ignored your husband and saw the GP OP! Hopefully antibiotics should kick in in a few days and you'll feel miles better.

For future reference, or for anyone else reading - some nasal decongestants (sprays) are considered OK for when you're breastfeeding. They work locally, interacting with blood vessels in your nose. Medication isnt absorbed that well nasally so medication doesn't have such an effect on the rest of your body i.e. Lactation. Just check the ingredients - xylometazoline or oxymetazoline are OK. Oral degongestants such as Sudafed are a no-go as they can reduce milk supply by about 25%!

I discovered this after suffering with a terrible cold/virus at the end of last year while breastfeeding - I couldn't breathe properly or sleep for a week!

Get well soon!

GP. I had an ear infection during lockdown that recurred for nearly a year, needed 6 courses of specific antibiotics. Yours needs dealing with.
Next time he feels unwell, remind him.

Glad you got medical advice.
Stick with the antibiotics.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
But let him feel guilty.....😉... he might listen in future....

Why are men like this?! I once had a badly infected cat scratch and because DH thought it was my own fault he told me to tough it out and I'd be fine tomorrow. By then, my hand was the size of a football and I felt dreadful. I ignored him, just turned up at the GPs without an appointment the receptionist took one look at me and called the doc.
I also had a friend who collapsed from an ear infection. 5 minutes before she had been on the motorway coming back from the school run. She was in hospital for a week.

Well done for going the Dr!
Ear infections are awful! Get well soon

Christ OP, how annoying of your DH! As a fellow ear infection sufferer, sending hugs - they are horrid. I was hospitalised for one once.

Ear, nose and throat are all connected. If it hurts, ring the Dr. Ear ache and tooth aches are the worse. Best way to clear your sinuses. Sit up straight and then tilt you head back as far as it will go, so your basically staring at the ceiling. Sit like that for a couple of minutes. It will naturally drain. Will come back after time though, so keep repeating. If you go chemist and get a saline wash, you squirt it up your nose, bit like being in the sea, clears it, will gag though as disgusting as if it don't come out, it goes down your throat.

Also make a cold remedy of boiling water and in that put a few slices of turmeric, garlic, ginger, slice of lemon and some honey.

Wow I really hope the antibiotics kick in quickly and that your dp is super apologetic for being a dick

I’ve been a bit like you and went to the doc later than ideal when I had an abscess. I get the concern about docs being very busy but in cases like these where things can escalate it’s much easier to deal with these things earlier. Also my doc very readily gives antiBs over the phone without needing to see me.

Years ago when I was first with my ex I’d had flu and a few weeks after had trouble hearing not only what he said but at work as well, anyway he kept snapping at me. I said “enough my ears are not right we’ll see what the doctor says tonight” when I showed him the antibiotics I face was a picture I soon put him in his place.

Well done for getting to the GP and the help you need!

Your H was being a complete fool - and a dangerous one - and I hope he stays contrite for some time.

Glad you have ignored DH's bullshit on this and are getting treatment. I hope you improve quickly.

I'm glad that he is being contrite on this and is looking after the children. Do you trust him with the children's health? Has he learned his lesson from this or will he accuse them of being "babies" the next time they feel unwell and you want to seek medical advice for them? Has he understood what the NHS is there for, and that it isn't his remit to gatekeep?

Personally, I'd be taking this opportunity to reinforce that point to him. He can take those risks with his own health if he wishes but you will be getting medical help for yourself and/or the children as and when you see fit.

Ear aches are horrendous, get to the dr for some antibiotics!!