Worsening Ear infection. Back to GP?

[NotSonicTheHedgehog]

I’m quite prone to ear infections. Felt one coming on over the weekend and then by Monday afternoon it was sore enough that I decided to go to the walk-in to get some drops as historically they never resolve themselves. Not a problem.

Usually my ear starts to feel better very quickly but since the weekend (and I an appreciate I’ve only had the drops since Monday) it’s just gotten worse. I’m not even sure the drops are really getting in as well as they need to due to how visibly swollen my ear canal is now plus the other one seems to be starting to hurt too.

So the question here is should I make a GP appointment for this morning? It’s not so much the pain but the increased swelling I’m concerned about and I don’t just want to sit and wait for it to potentially worsen further. Hearing is definitely impacted to a degree too which it wasn’t on Monday.

I don’t want to be that person taking up resources that are already scarce. At the same time if there’s no improvement over today I can’t face another three hours sat at the walk in later. 😩 Plus I’m scared myself reading about untreated year infections. 😬

This ‘taking up resources that are already scarce’ are such nonsense! You have an infection in your ear, go!!

My friend’s partner had an ear infection (healthy, mid-40’s, nor one to make a fuss). Was dismissed by GP three times. Lost the hearing in affected ear. Criminal if you ask me.

Go! And ask the GP WHY you are probe to ear infections. That is not right either.

Thank you 💐
It’s linked to my shitty sinuses they think as I’m chronically congested. Just one of those things apparently 😣
I will call when they open

How are you doing @NotSonicTheHedgehog ?

@ChiefPearlClutcher thank you for checking in. Good job I went as by Wednesday morning my ear canal had pretty much closed up meaning the drops were redundant. They’ve stuck me on oral antibiotics which seem to be doing the trick as the inflammation has gone down. Even the GP winched when she saw it 😅 Going forward they’re gonna put me on a repeat for ear drops so if I feel one coming on I can get on top of it right away.

Fantastic! Hope it clears up soon. Earache is to worst! X

🙏

I will never understand these types of posts. If you feel you need to see a GP.... See a GP !!!!!!

Dairy causes excess mucus

I think we are very conditioned to not make a fuss, but end up paying the price for it! If I had made more of a fuss during my second labour, I would have had a functioning pelvic floor. Sometimes we just need a gentle nudge @MissMaple82 and that is also ok. That is what a community like this is for imvho. Advice, validation, venting, support. Now I’ll get off my high horse ;)

if you are getting worse, you need to be seen.

if you are prone to ear infections, I really recommend getting a digital otoscope. They come in a range of prices. My ancient cheap one from some non name brand that doesn’t even exist anymore still works fine. You can get a regular otoscope as well, for surprisingly cheap, but then you need someone else to help you look.

I would never suggest ignoring other significant symptoms, especially if using one on a child, but I find being able to look myself helps me know when it’s time to go in and when I can watch and see if my body might fight it off. the points that the doctor prescribes meds at are surprisingly easy to learn to recognize.

It makes me really sad that you thought you were taking up recourses for calling your doctor when you have an ear infection. You can be left with permanent hearing loss / problems if your ear drum bursts. It needs to be sorted asap. Please look after yourself and be a bit more selfish about your own health.

It doesn't sound like you would be more selfish, so I'll say it this way, which may resonate.. if you don't sort your health out sooner rather than later, it will take up even more resources because it will have very likely deteriorated and therefore you'll need even more help.