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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS 9 in pain - would you go to A&E?

78 replies

ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 08:39

I took DS to an out of hours gp around 5 hours ago because he had a bad earache. He was diagnosed with an outer ear infection (otitis externa) and given antibiotic drops.

I have given him one dose of antibiotics, and a dose of ibuprofen and of paracetamol. He is now in a lot of pain and has been for over an hour - rolling around on the sofa, shouting out, crying. He can't watch his favourite TV show. I can't give him any more pain relief for another hour.

AIBU to take him to A&E/walk in for extra pain relief? What could they actually give him or do that the GP hasn't already done? It's horrible watching him suffer without being able to do anything.

OP posts:
00100001 · 14/10/2023 08:57

Gwendimarco · 14/10/2023 08:54

paracetamol and ibuprofenare not placebos.

Tic tacs or a spoon of syrup would be placebos. If child is asking for more pain relief before it can be given, OP could try giving these as a placebo. It might work.

Show quote history

She means that the kid isn't getting any more pain relief than if they were taken together. It just helps them think they're getting more pain relief just 2 hours later, instead of waiting for 4.

Mrsjayy · 14/10/2023 08:57

Gwendimarco · 14/10/2023 08:54

paracetamol and ibuprofenare not placebos.

Tic tacs or a spoon of syrup would be placebos. If child is asking for more pain relief before it can be given, OP could try giving these as a placebo. It might work.

Show quote history

Sorry I didn't explain myself very well I know how pain relief works all I meant is If I gave it together dc would fuss if I gave it separately then they were instantly calmer.

00100001 · 14/10/2023 08:57

ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 08:56

I have spread the doses out, was going to put that in my op but it got complicated.

Does anyone know if heat works for outer ear infections rather than middle ear?

Worth a try. Certainly won't make it worse!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 14/10/2023 08:57

Mrsjayy · 14/10/2023 08:49

What I used to do is give the pain relief separately so give paracetamol first wait a bit then give ibuprofen It was obviously a placebo but it helped settle my dc when they were in pain.

This isn't a placebo ,this is effective pain management 😊

Ear pain is awful ,poor thing.

*Edited to add- just read your following post- I see what you mean!😊

SallyWD · 14/10/2023 09:03

I had the same ear infection recently. It was absolute agony. I couldn't sleep and was paving around the house at night. A hot water bottle against my ear helped. The doctor gave me codeine. I assume a child can't have that! Poor boy, hope he feels better soon.

Mrsjayy · 14/10/2023 09:05

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 14/10/2023 08:57

This isn't a placebo ,this is effective pain management 😊

Ear pain is awful ,poor thing.

*Edited to add- just read your following post- I see what you mean!😊

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you I should have said hoodwinked them instead of placebo 😄

Original poster
ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:06

Hang on, I think I might have been overly cautious with my timings for the paracetamol and ibuprofen because he's asleep from like 9-7 isn't he?

I was spreading it 8 hours apart for ibuprofen and 6 for paracetamol. Can I actually give them more regularly than that because he will have a long break overnight??

(He recently had his next dose of ibuprofen and things are now calmer thank goodness)

OP posts:
Katrinawaves · 14/10/2023 09:09

My kids had several horrible ear infections as young children and the only things which were allowed for pain relief were paracetamol and ibuprofen at the OTC doses even when one was an inpatient in hospital and even though it didn’t touch the sides. They do usually clear up in about 48 hours but it’s a long time to watch your children cry in pain.

I’ve just looked on NHS direct and apparently you can now also get pain relieving and anaesthetic ear drops and it might be worth asking a pharmacist whether they can be used alongside oral pain relief and trying these too?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/

nhs.uk

Ear infections

Find out about ear infections, which are very common, particularly in children. See a GP if the infection does not settle in a couple of days.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/

00100001 · 14/10/2023 09:12

ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:06

Hang on, I think I might have been overly cautious with my timings for the paracetamol and ibuprofen because he's asleep from like 9-7 isn't he?

I was spreading it 8 hours apart for ibuprofen and 6 for paracetamol. Can I actually give them more regularly than that because he will have a long break overnight??

(He recently had his next dose of ibuprofen and things are now calmer thank goodness)

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/how-and-when-to-give-ibuprofen-for-children/

3-4 times in 24 hrs. So yes... Give him it more often.

nhs.uk

How and when to give ibuprofen for children

NHS medicines information on dosage for ibuprofen for children, how to give it and what to do if your child misses a dose or takes too much.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/how-and-when-to-give-ibuprofen-for-children

Almondandhoney · 14/10/2023 09:13

I used to suffer with outer ear infections as a child and they are EXCRUCIATING and I would scream out in pain. They're horrendous. If he has meds to clear it, I think you're going to have to ride it out. A warm hot water bottle against the ear is helpful. Sympathies, it's totally and utterly grim.

margotrose · 14/10/2023 09:17

Ear infections are incredibly painful but if A&E have already given you antibiotics and painkillers then there's not much else they can do - he just needs to ride it out unfortunately.

fourelementary · 14/10/2023 09:18

Definitely stagger the pain relief so it covers the whole day but keep one dose for overnight just in case- so
8am inbuprofen (I) with breakfast
10-paracetamol (P)
12- I (lunch)
2- P
4.30/5 I with dinner
7pm P
9pm I with supper
leaving one dose of paracetamol which could be taken overnight if wakening up

heat helps and showers too as long as he isn’t getting the water in his ear- the steam can help open the tubes up a bit and the heat is soothing.

His eardrum may perforate tbh but then his pain will lessen!

Original poster
ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:20

@Almondandhoney Yeah, my son has a lot of middle ear infections, in fact he is on the waiting list for gromits, but this outer ear infection has just smacked us between the eyes. It's so much worse 😯

OP posts:
Almondandhoney · 14/10/2023 09:23

Bless him. Honestly, the pain is something else. It used to spread down into my jaw too. I'm shuddering at the memories to be honest!

This was around 35 years ago so I guess things have changed, but they gave me Betnovate drops and they really helped.

2jacqi · 14/10/2023 09:27

sounds more like otitis media. the pain is caused by the build up of pressure in his middle ear. the ear drum most likely will perforate and pain will go away. antibiotics will usually start working after 2 or three doses and he will start to feel better.

Scarlettpixie · 14/10/2023 09:32

Give them each every 4 - 5 hours alternating so he has something every 2-3 hours. if you are waiting 6 - 8 hours no wonder the poor kid is in agony! Yes you can work out your doses to fit them in waking hours and as a pp said, save a dose of paracetamol in case he wakes in the night. That would give him 3 doses of each spread throughout the day.

Just don’t exceed the 24 hour dosage and make sure you leave 4 hours between doses of the same drug.

I hope he feels better soon, earache is horrible.

Original poster
ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:34

@fourelementary Thank you for this, it's perfect, I'm going to use it from now on.

Hope no one from work spots this, I have a vaguely numerate job!!

OP posts:
Original poster
ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:44

Hot compress is helping, thanks witches 😂

OP posts:
sleepyscientist · 14/10/2023 09:47

Try 111 for weight related dosing. I would want to give my child anything stronger than paracetamol if I could avoid it. Would he fall asleep in the car or anything? Handhold it's horrible when they are unwell.

Mrsjayy · 14/10/2023 09:47

ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 09:44

Hot compress is helping, thanks witches 😂

Hopefully he settles down and has a nap he was likely shattered and this will have made him agitated and the pain would have been too much to cope with.

TheSweetEndOfTheLollipop · 14/10/2023 09:50

Get a ceramic mug, fill with boiling water till mug is really hot. Tip out hot water and dry, then wrap in a v soft tea towel and hold on skin just behind ear/next to jaw.
The warmth really helps.

DungareesAndTrombones · 14/10/2023 09:56

My DD was like this once until her eardrum perforated and the relief was instant. I'm not wishing that on your son but just a word of warning that it might happen! Loads of gunk came pouring out of her ear it was grim. But miles better than her screaming in agony.

volunteersruz · 14/10/2023 09:59

i have had 2 perforated eardrums due to infection, once as a child and once as an adult - yes they are excruciating ,apart from childbirth the worst pains in my life - and you would certainly have heard me through the walls! warmth did help but ultimately the actual perforation helped most ,sadly. This isn't going to help immediately but i highly recommend horseradish and garlic tablets(Viridian do them), they help with sinus health.

Original poster
ElfinsMum · 14/10/2023 10:21

@volunteersruz That's super interesting as we are grappling with eustachian tube dysfunction, hence the gromits.

OP posts: