To take DS13 back to GP with a foul smelling discharge from ear?

[JimJimJim]

DS13 was given antibiotics at Christmas (wasn't seen by GP, was a telephone consultation) when presenting with symptoms of possible ear infection (painful ear, snot like discharge from ear), sinus pain and cough. He was seen after 4 days as the ear wasn't much better. Dr examined him at that point and said because of the discharge she couldn't see the ear drum but it was possible the ear drum had burst, causing all the discharge, but that it would likely resolve itself and to go back in 6 weeks if his hearing was affected at that point.

The discharge is reducing, but it absolutely stinks! It is still slightly snot like, less stringy now but still a slight yellow in colour. He still has a runny nose and cough, which we have all had. No fever, seems ok in himself. He had a covid jab today but feeling fine after that so far. He is slightly deaf and we have to shout to get him to hear us!

Do I just leave this to run its course or go back for them to have another look at the ear given this horrible smell?

I think in your position and given his history I'd try contacting ENT directly and asking if you can self refer

“So then he asked me what I thought we should do!”

i flipping hate this stock phrase. Makes me want to yell, I want you to use your medical knowledge and to listen to what I’m telling you. And if you don’t know for sure , I want you to check.

I won’t want to alarm you but I would definitely go back as my DC had cholesteatoma Several times that required 9 operations some of which were bone reconstruction and hearing has been permanently damaged in both ears and in my case the our GP was very on it and we saw the consultants 6 times a year so it was caught early and in one case even the consultant wasn’t sure as it didn’t show up on the scan yet he wanted to operate anyway and I was reluctant but agreed and there was in fact cholesteatoma. So even when it is caught early hearing loss till occurs. However throughout all this my DC was never ill the only symptom was hearing loss and foul smelling discharge. I would definitely go back if possible

Can the GP diagnose cholesteotoma or would it only be ENT who can do that?

@JimJimJim I believe it is only the ENT consultant, but may have changed by now however even tbf the GP didnt really know what it was in my experience

Did you get anywhere with a change of antibiotics?
DD had what appeared to be recurrent ear infections with exactly the same sort of discharge. The doctor took swabs and found that it was the same infection that wasn't actually being cleared up by the antibiotics so they changed the antibiotics and the infection was finally cleared.

A consultant would need to do an investigative operation

Smelly discharge is a big warning sign of infection . Sometimes the infection goes inwards towards the mastic bone which can be dangerous. Go straight to gp.

In my son's case the ent consultant put a camera in ds's ear in outpatients and diagnosed cholesteatoma. It was a massive struggle to get to see anyone though. Luckily ds had a routine sociology appointment and they said to tell the gp that they said he needed an urgent ent referral. That's when I got more insistent and refused to be fobbed off by the gp receptionist

A consultant would need to do an investigative operation

My DD was diagnosed through visual examination and a scan - she had surgery to repair it but not for diagnosis.