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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think an ear infection IS 'worth' an emergency GP appointment?

50 replies

LeedleLee · 09/03/2022 11:36

Hi all.

So, I've been suffering from ear pain and a feeling of fullness in my ear for several days. I initially assumed it was just fluid or wax buildup as it wasn't that painful initially (we've all had colds recently) and would go away on its own. But last night I was up most of the night in absolute agony, so decided it was probably worth getting it looked at! Routine appointments at my GP surgery usually take at least a week to come through so I requested an emergency one instead.

Got seen this morning and sure enough, I have a severe inner ear infection that requires antibiotics.

I think requesting an emergency GP appointment was totally reasonable, especially as I had waited for several days to see if my symptoms improved first as I know some ear infections clear up on their own (this one didn't). But I have a family member almost telling me off for 'taking up' an emergency appointment 'just' for ear pain?? She seems to think emergency GP appointments are for life threatening emergencies, not issues that aren't life threatening but can't really wait either. She's also told me off for taking the day off work as apparently I could power on through by taking painkillers. My boss was totally fine with me taking the day off as I have a very good attendance/sickness record and am rarely off sick (in fact this will be my first day off ill in over a year so it's hardly like I'm off sick all the time at the mildest of ailments!)

AIBU for thinking SHE is BU? She is the kind of person who only sees the GP if a limb is hanging off (slight hyperbole of course but I'm sure you know the kind!).

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 09/03/2022 11:38

Lol at letting someone “tell you off” for taking a day off work and speaking to the doctor when ill.

Tell her to MYOB.

BluerThanRobinsEggs · 09/03/2022 11:44

I think this comes under "tell me you've never had a bad ear infection without telling me you've never had a bad ear infection"

When you know, you know. I'd rather give birth again than have bad earache or bad toothache.

goodforyounoonecares · 09/03/2022 11:54

Why do you care so deeply about what this family member says? You thought you were unwell enough for an emergency appointment and your GP agreed. We all have idiots in the family, you need to learn to ignore them, especially as you mature.

Original poster
LeedleLee · 09/03/2022 11:57

@goodforyounoonecares I suppose I don't really, but I'm always questioning myself when I know I really shouldn't.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 09/03/2022 11:58

I have a chronic ear condition and regular infections. I know full well how utterly unbearably painful it is so she'd get a resounding fuck off from me.

AryaStarkWolf · 09/03/2022 11:59

Ear infections are absolutely awful, YADNBU.

I hate to bring sex into it but I wonder if you had been a man (and I'm assuming you're female here too) would she have told you off or been sympathetic.... Women are a lot of times expected to be Martyrs and men coddled and looked after if they have as much as a sniffle

CornishGem1975 · 09/03/2022 11:59

Seeing as my friend was hospitalised with sepsis after an ear infection, YANBU.

Telebonn · 09/03/2022 12:00

Of course it's not a waste, ear infections are bloody agony and can damage the ear if left untreated. Seen as though you can't get the antibiotics over the counter, absolutely not unreasonable.

vampirewellness · 09/03/2022 12:02

An ear infection is the most pain I've ever been in in my entire life.

Worse than gallstones, dry socket from wisdom teeth, and foot tattoos.

Worst pain ever. Definitely worth an emergency appointment.

MiniCooperLover · 09/03/2022 12:03

If that person (your parent?) wants to martyr themselves so be it. Stop sharing health information with them, you're an adult and can make your own choices.

Vanillaradio · 09/03/2022 12:04

I have also been hospitalised after an ear infection. It developed into facial cellulitus and I ended up on an antibiotics and painkiller drip for 2 days and was told it could have developed into sepis or meningitis. Its the kind of thing that needs looking at- there can be serious complicatons and even if not is incredibly painful. Yes she is being very u.

thelittlestrhino · 09/03/2022 12:05

Not unreasonable AT ALL. Ear infections can become really serious, really quickly!

Chely · 09/03/2022 12:07

Ear infections that persist usually need antibiotics and worsen fairly quickly so I think an emergency appointment was needed. Ignore this daft person.

PillowySoft · 09/03/2022 12:09

I have been lucky enough to never have had a bad ear infection (touch wood!) but I do understand they can be excruciating, and I think surely they are exactly what an emergency GP appt is for! YANBU at all.

Notlostjustexploring · 09/03/2022 12:14

Ear infections usually feature on the "most pain you've ever experienced" lists alongside childbirth, toothache and kidney stones.

Your family member definitely doesn't know what a bad ear infection feels like.

I really hope your ear feels better soon.

MonkeyPuddle · 09/03/2022 12:15

I’m an ex practice nurse and used to do triage, this is an entirely appropriate use of a same day GP appointment.
Tell them to butt out, feel better soon, ear infections are shit.

ThePlantsitter · 09/03/2022 12:21

At the GP emergency means needs treatment now. Like an ear infection unless you want a burst ear drum. It's easy to treat but the consequences of delay are bad.

It doesn't mean 'I'm about to die' - for that you go to hospital A & E.

patritus · 09/03/2022 12:21

She seems to think emergency GP appointments are for life threatening emergencies, not issues that aren't life threatening

Err no! A&E is for life threatening emergencies.
What on earth does your family member think a GP is going to do about a heart attack, stroke, burst appendix. If they went to emergency GP appointment with any of these they would have been wasting an appointment for someone who had something urgent (like an infection) which GP could actually help withHmm

FurryBandito · 09/03/2022 12:25

She's talking crap. I got an a same day appointment after being up Al night in agony. By the time my appt was due (for a couple of hours after I made the call) my eardrum burst. My hearings not been the same since. Hope you are soon feeling much better.

Suzi888 · 09/03/2022 12:26

@CornishGem1975

Seeing as my friend was hospitalised with sepsis after an ear infection, YANBU.
I was hospitalised with Mastoiditis because I left it. Saw GP twice who said it was fine and then gave me ear drops that could have rendered me deaf as my ear drum was torn and she didn’t see it.

You’ll need oral antibiotics and antibiotic ear drops too. If it’s gone too far you may be sent to A&E.

Soubriquet · 09/03/2022 12:26

Life threatening and I would expect A&E not the doctors.

Yanbu

Chloemol · 09/03/2022 12:28

I would just tell her to duck off

VickyEadieofThigh · 09/03/2022 12:29

YANBU.

Aside from the intense pain, as a child I developed meningitis from an ear infection...

EcoCustard · 09/03/2022 12:30

I spent years having recurring ear infections resulting in perforation and they made me truly miserable and were very painful. YANBU this is the exact reason for emergency GP appointments.

dottydodah · 09/03/2022 12:31

Well she doesnt know what shes talking about! I had indescribable pain a few years ago. Never known anything like it .Tell Family member to jog right on .Hope you feel better soon .Left unattended Eardrum can easily burst leading to deafness! Also GP surgeries will prioritise urgent cases, and put yours in the urgent category .FM is an arse!

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