To please ask what you would do? A/E

[Lamplightlady4]

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.’

How are you doing @Lamplightlady4 ? Hope you got sorted

Not in my experience 😭

I know someone who had shingles in their ear and it manifested itself like this. Also not picked up on by the GP until 3rd visit, at which point there was an immediate referral to same day ENT clinic. Half their face was numb as the infection had spread down the cranial nerves. Good luck OP!

I was hoping the OP would have been seen at A&E or something by now.

Hope you’re ok OP

I was thinking about OP yesterday. I hope they are ok and getting the treatment they need. Hopefully they’ll come back with an update when they feel better.

Please let us know how you are.

Hope you are ok..! 😊

Oh dear I read this hoping for a positive outcome for OP. Really hope you are ok.

I don't want to scare you but please- go to A&E . My MIL suffered from ear infections more than 6 months. And unfortunately it was much more than an ear infection... If I could afford, I would go for private MRI. It doesn't look like a simple ear infection.

Yes.

I did

Hope you're OK OP

One risk of untreated ear infection is a brain abscess. This happened to my 2 yr old niece. GP didn’t deal with it properly and she ended up in A&E and needed surgery. Very unpleasant. Hope you are receiving appropriate care.

You first posted on Thursday and its now Saturday.
Please let us know how you are.

Are you ok, @Lamplightlady4 ? Worried about you.

Bloody hell! I can't believe people are hassling the op for an update. Sending kind thoughts is one thing and lovely if done with the right intention, but actively pushing for an update is another. They might be really unwell, or they might be feeling much better and getting on with their lives. Either way, it's none of your business.

People are genuinely concerned for her, no need to be so aggressive.

Hope you are on the mend xx you have had such an unfairly rough time..

It's genuine concern, not hassling.

I couldn't agree more! If the OP wants to and is able to I'm sure she'll come back and update. Until then, stop pestering.

Absolutely A&E

Hello everyone. Thanks for your comments, I’m in hospital now. They did a CT scan and found that I had mastoiditis and it was on the brink of becoming meningitis and entering the brain.

A/E was really diabolical however, despite a high temp once I got there, feeling faint and the sepsis risk, I still waited for 5 and a half hours to see a doctor, but there had been one woman waiting almost 12 who I felt so sorry for.

I do worry how the NHS will continue at this rate. There was someone screaming on the floor for hours with gallstones, and was told the wait for the bed was 12 hours in a chair. Devastating.

So glad you're in but it's just so awful that A&E is in such a state.

Really hope the meds kick in soon

Very glad to hear you’re finally being looked after despite the horrific wait. Not sure it’s really changed though, back in the 90s I had to wait six hours while writhing about with a tumour (ok they didn’t know it was that but I was still very unwell). Thank heavens you went though. 💐

I’d also been thinking about you and checking back for updates. I’m so glad they caught it in time but I’m sorry you had to go through all of this. That’s scary that the wait at A and E was so long despite the sepsis risk. Wishing you a speedy recovery.