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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To please ask what you would do? A/E

213 replies

Lamplightlady4 · 12/05/2022 15:54

I’m an adult but hate wasting anyones time so I’m asking mumsnet for their opinions. AIBU for considering a and e?

I’ve had an ear infection for eight weeks: my ear is incredibly swollen, leaking pus and blood daily and smells like fish. (sorry TMI).

In the past 6 weeks I’ve has 5 doses of antibiotics, and steroid drops and it’s remained the same. My ear is still as it was eight weeks ago.

My GP has done an urgent referral to ENT but this is nine weeks away even as urgent referral.
I went to my GP a few days ago and was given another set of antibiotics and sent on my way.

But the issue is I’m getting even more poorly over the past day, my glands in my mouth have now swollen, saliva glands and it’s hard to swallow, my ear is still swollen and red and bleeding, and I’m shivering and clammy, waking up with wet hair and a wet back with sweat. I’ve also slept 15 hours but I can barely keep my eyes open at work. I don’t have a temp however.

im just a loss of what to do, I’m feeling so unwell within myself I can hardly function and do my normal activities but I cannot bear a 6th sent of antibiotics, and without a temp, I doubt they’ll do anything:

Does anyone have any advice? Even ibuprofen isn’t touching the sides.’

OP posts:
packedlunches · 13/05/2022 22:58

Absolutely agree with going to A&E and hope you've been seen.
I can't believe that urgent ENT appointment is 9 weeks away though. I've lived in three completely different areas of the UK and have suffered with various severe ear infections most of my adult life. In everywhere I've lived there has been an urgent ENT service where you could be seen on the day, for exactly this type of thing. If it happens again I would demand to be seen on the day.
Sending healing vibes as I know how awful it is 💐

YourTruthorMine · 13/05/2022 23:02

My dad's untreated ear infection became meningitis, and sadly didn't have a happy ending. A & E Now!

Evenstar · 13/05/2022 23:24

My cousin’s son died of meningitis from a severe ear infection. I hope you were seen at A&E @Lamplightlady4

Cloud16 · 13/05/2022 23:52

Hope you went to the hospital OP. Infections are nasty and can turn life threatening. Your symptoms sound serious!

Please let us know how you are if you can 💖x

Bloops · 14/05/2022 00:05

A&E ASAP if you haven't already. Please update.

FiloPasty · 14/05/2022 00:05

I hope you’re ok, and being looked after

McConkeysPlate · 14/05/2022 00:08

How are you? 💐

AntiStars · 14/05/2022 00:10

I went to A&E with an infection. I left it too long before going to the gp as didn’t want to bother them and they gave me flucoxacillin and told me to put olive oil in my ear but the pain became unbearable. I couldn’t sleep, was having trouble swallowing like you & then started getting numbness in my teeth/lips.
they took my obs, confirmed I wasn’t septic but changed me to co-amoxiclav (a much stronger antibiotics) and prescribed some amazing ear drops with anti-biotics and local anaesthetic in to help with the pain.

Definitely go to A&E. you might be on the wrong antibiotics and they can give you something stronger. Stress that you are now starting to feel very unwell in yourself which is why you’ve come. You are not wasting anyone’s time as have clearly tried the normal channels but the situation has changed now, symptoms are worsening and it’s the weekend.

You have my sincere sympathies, ear infections are nasty. Good luck.

IKnewPrufrockBeforeHeGotFamous · 14/05/2022 00:35

I’m usually the first to roll my eyes at ‘should I go to a&e for this hangnail’ posts but this is not one of those occasions! you need seen

MrsRinaDecker · 14/05/2022 00:43

I once went to A&E with an ear infection when the GP wouldn’t see me.. it probably saved me a perforated eardrum and possible hearing loss. And your situation sounds a lot worse than mine! Hope you get / got the treatment you needed. x

Gonnabegrandma · 14/05/2022 01:21

Yes go to A and E I’m am just out of hospital having had sepsis . It can happen easily from an infection and is life threatening. Best to get checked out as you are feeling sicker each day

AnxiousMum875 · 14/05/2022 01:31

I'm hoping you've gone to A & E OP. Please let us know you're OK! Sending love.

cutebutscary · 14/05/2022 02:37

I hope you are getting the help you obviously need . I had this with tonsilitis about ten years ago and mine turned out to be bacteraemia which was a step before sepsis, I think they said . I'm sitting up now with an earache and not feeling quite so sorry for myself now I've read about how poorly you are - good luck and hope your treatment brings you relief quickly

Namenic · 14/05/2022 02:42

Yes go to a&e now - get someone else to drive. You can have sepsis without a temp.

BurnDownTheDiscoHangTheDJ · 14/05/2022 02:44

Happened to me last November @Lamplightlady4 - GP utterly useless. I had ear issues as a kid so knew the signs of a perforated eardrum, no one would see me, was just sent an ear spray after a telephone appointment. Eardrum burst that night, so I rang saying I really needed to come in… they wouldn’t see me, said they doubted it had perforated (I heard- and felt- it go and the blood all over my pillow and neck were also something of a clue) but sent me some oral antibiotics in case. Started those and sighing three more days I was as you describe. At this point GP did see me but referred me “urgently” to ENT with a 12 week wait. Within another day my ear was swollen, red and leaking hideous smelling stuff. Not know what else to do I rolled up to A&E where they were furious that the GP the day before hadn’t noticed my clear signs of early sepsis- which didn’t include a fever for what it’s worth. Intravenous antibiotics and steroids sorted me out but it’s a shitshow it’s this hard to get treatment.

I hope you made it to A&E and have now started proper treatment.

Ohdofuckofdear · 14/05/2022 02:58

I really really hope you've gone to the hospital and that they're helping you,you sound very poorly.

Fingers crossed that your soon feeling better.

TerriblyStill · 14/05/2022 03:03

Just one more person hoping you are at A and E right now being treated. Ear infections are the pits and this one sounds like it's really taken hold. Take care.

Bluesparkled · 14/05/2022 03:43

And another. Hope you’re ok OP.

Trifecta · 14/05/2022 06:06

Just stopping by to add my hope that you’ve gone to A&E.

mycatisannoying · 14/05/2022 06:11

Bloody useless GP.

Hope you're ok, OP Flowers

MalbecandToast · 14/05/2022 06:11

Definitely don't feel bad for going to hospital, it was absolutely the right thing to do and I hope you are starting to feel better

AntsAntsAntsAnts · 14/05/2022 06:19

Another’s hoping you managed to get to a&e and are ok

FishfingerFlinger · 14/05/2022 06:21

Oh crumbs OP! I hope you’ve been seen and are OK.

BellaVita · 14/05/2022 07:07

Gosh it does sound like sepsis. My dad had sepsis last December, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Please either ring an ambulance or get someone to take you to A&E asap.

xx

Hollywolly1 · 14/05/2022 07:24

Earache is horrible I had a few as a child.I hope you went to A&E and that you are comfortable, you have been through a lot of pain 🌺