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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just want the Doctor to take me seriously

29 replies

BettyForgety · 25/04/2022 01:37

For a long time I have been suffering with ear pain and headaches, it sounds so trivial but it can sometimes have quite an impact on my day and it’s only getting worse.

I first went to my doctor about 3 months ago thinking I had an ear infection. I had pain in one ear and it felt very full. I was told I didn’t have an infection and I just brushed it off as a virus of some sort.

Unfortunately, it’s only getting worse. The pain comes and goes but there hasn’t been a day in many months where I haven’t had to take painkillers. Paracetamol/ibuprofen used to work quite well but now even cocodamol doesn’t completely take away the pain. It starts in my left ear and then not long after the headache starts, always on the left side. My ear feels very full, a bit like when you have water in your ear, I think it’s affecting my hearing too.

I have been back to see my GP twice and I accept that I don’t have an infection but he has been really dismissive. Does anyone have any idea what this can be and how the hell do I get my GP
to take me seriously? I just really think I need a referral to ENT.

OP posts:
Heldcaptiveby3 · 25/04/2022 02:09

I would get a referral to a specialist, and find a new GP ASAP!

LunaTheCat · 25/04/2022 02:42

If your ear is painful and hearing is dull you need an audiology assessment.
go back to same GP.

MrsBloxby · 25/04/2022 05:30

Hi OP,

Pls don’t feel like going private is your only option. I had rectal bleeding and the pain was intense.

I would try going to a different GP. Hold your ground and explain that the pain is stopping you from doing everyday things. Does your surgery have the EConsult service? Fill one out today if you can.

Hope it all goes ok. Keep us posted.

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 25/04/2022 05:38

hmmm how many painkillers of what you're so you take daily?

I didn't years suffering from from what I thought was sinus issues that actually turned out to be medication overuse headaches. They are awful

hashbrownsandwich · 25/04/2022 06:12

I deal with earcare patients at our surgery. There are so many conditions which are not infections. Are you experiencing any hearing loss?

I would personally ask to see another GP or nurse who gave trained in ear care.

It would also be worth a dental check up as although it may not feel like dental psi , it needs to be ruled out,

In the meantime you could try an over the counter product called Earcalm to see if that helps at all.

TulipsHere · 25/04/2022 07:50

Could it be your wisdom teeth? I had horrendous ear pain for a few years then found out a decade later that my wisdom teeth were the actual problem

Original poster
BettyForgety · 25/04/2022 15:26

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it.

my GP surgery loathe letting you see a GP other than the one you are registered with. I think I’m going to have to make a real nuisance of myself just to get an appointment. It shouldn’t have to be like that though! I spoke to a friend today who is a nurse and she’s worried me a little with what it could be, she’s obviously not a doctor though so I’m trying not to take it too seriously.

I definitely do have some hearing loss, I feel a little dizzy too.

OP posts:
Socksey · 25/04/2022 15:33

You definitely need an ENT referral... the unilateral symptoms and fullness in the ear is what stands out here and you should be investigated for any likely cause.... there's a range of things it could be and without some sort of investigation it would be unwise of anyone here to comment

Socksey · 25/04/2022 15:35

Just read that you also have hearing loss and some dizziness... there is a moderately common condition that includes all your symptoms.... GPs don't come across it very often but it's common enough and needs investigating

Socksey · 25/04/2022 15:40

And yes.... it took me several years to get a diagnosis as I was 'too young' at 21 etc....

Original poster
BettyForgety · 25/04/2022 15:41

Thanks @Socksey , do you mind me asking what the condition was?

OP posts:
Socksey · 25/04/2022 15:50

I had an Acoustic Neuroma.... which sounds worse than it is...
Classic symptoms are unilateral fullness in the ear (which is not common in other conditions), some hearing loss usually in the higher frequency again unilateral and some dizziness.... there may be other symptoms such as headache, fatigue etc
Mine didn't present like this as I had initially severe vertigo and then some years later sudden massive unilateral hearing loss.
But maybe try to get your GP to fo us less on the earache and headache and insist on a hearing test to rule out neurological issues such as the AN

ChloeHel · 25/04/2022 16:13

Did the GP check for fluid in the ear? It could be glue ear. Whilst you are waiting for an appointment why not true the Otovent glue ear balloon? It may provide some relief.

It could also be impacted wax, which is why you are suffering from headaches and loss of balance. You can book appointments with a Boots audiologist to take a look!

NarcissasMumintheDoghouse · 25/04/2022 16:21

But maybe try to get your GP to fo us less on the earache and headache and insist on a hearing test to rule out neurological issues such as the AN

Long-term ear-problem-sufferer here. @socksey is right - stop focusing on the earache and the headache when talking to your GP and start stressing the neurological symptoms - specifically, the hearing loss and the dizziness. These are symptoms that the GP can use to justify an ENT consultation, less easy to shrug off than the more common earache and headache.

Blimeyherewegoagain · 25/04/2022 16:29

It might be your middle/inner ear if your Eustachian tube isn’t working to normalise the pressure correctly. When you yawn do your ears pop (they should).
Yoga shoulder stands help me for ENT congestion.

Original poster
BettyForgety · 25/04/2022 17:30

I googled an Acoustic Neuroma, the NHS website says it a type of brain tumour, albeit non cancerous. That is actually terrifying! @Socksey how was it treaded, was it quite straight forward? (Sorry for all the questions)

I’m going to call the GP surgery again I’m a moment. This really isn’t something that can wait.

just to answer a few other questions there is no fluid behind my ear and no wax build up. I also don’t get the popping sensation.

OP posts:
Socksey · 25/04/2022 17:43

It is moderately serious. And long term, if untreated, could have a serious impact on your life. A high proportion are 'treated' by 'watch and wait' so scans every year or few years .... and a large number never grow to become a serious issue. Some do, and can be treated with radiosurgery or actual surgery. Mine was removed surgically almost 20 years ago when I was 29. Yes, it had a massive impact on my life and I'm probably one of the people that had a more difficult time of it..... but I wentvon to finish uni, have a career and a baby etc... haveca physical job and do lots of sports etc.... I still have some balance issues and complete hearing loss on the affected side.... but life is good.
There's a strong possibility that it's nit this..... however the first step is to get a full hearing test and if there is neurological hearing loss, then push for an MRI with contrast as that is the way to get a diagnosis...
Anything else from us or your GP is educated or otherwise guesswork
As another poster agreed.... focusing on the earache and headache is a bit of a red herring.... you need the neurological deficits investigated.... the only reason I commented was you had specifically mentioned the fullness in the ear which is characteristic but not diagnostic... if your GP is reluctant to send you for the hearing test, you can pay a few quid for one at Specsavers

Socksey · 25/04/2022 17:45

Sorry... lots of typos

Elsiebear90 · 25/04/2022 17:47

I could have written this post, except I have vertigo with my ear pain and headaches, I went to A&E as had a very very bad episode and have been seen by an ENT specialist who thinks it’s Ménière’s disease. I would definitely push for a referral to ENT.

Original poster
BettyForgety · 25/04/2022 17:50

@Socksey thank you so much, I’m really glad it all turned out ok for you. Hopefully, if I do have an AN, it will be the same for me. I’ve just been having a read and it does sound like it’s usually very treatable.

thanks everyone for all the advise. I’m going to speak to the GP again and focus on the neurological symptoms as you all suggested.

OP posts:
Socksey · 25/04/2022 18:00

Good luck.... and if it does happen to be AN, there is a very supportive FB group who will help you with information and perspective and general supprt/hand-holding if you need it... British Acoustic Neuroma Support Group... the Brain Tumour Association is great but for AN it's not ideal ... look after yourself and push the GP.... and should it be this, a delay won't affect your outcome.... I had 9 years of misdiagnosis etc... remember we're just internet random, you need an ENT or associated neurologist.

iklboo · 25/04/2022 18:03

I had similar symptoms, including fullness in the ear, dizziness, hearing loss etc. I was finally diagnosed with Ménière's disease.

Socksey · 25/04/2022 18:39

Yes.... and this is why its important for OP to push for a proper diagnosis... and to push for the MRI as without that, I also had a menieres diagnosis for 8 years and it was ehen my hearing deteriorated significantly that they finally did the scan...
So OP don't let them fob you off.... because it's best to know for sure ... and it could be something completely different... remember we're not doctors here...

gamerchick · 25/04/2022 18:40

Surely your best bet is going somewhere that does hearing tests and start there. Ears are their thing.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 25/04/2022 19:47

One of my older brothers has multiple ANs and has done since he was a child. He's pretty much deaf in that ear, but other than needing to sleep on that side (or he won't hear the alarm), it's not affected him - he's never had any balance issues and apart from being very sporty all his life, he's still blatting around on a motorbike in his 60s.

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