Google says I should go to the doctor. I don’t want to. AIBU?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I have had a nasty lingering virus thing for a while with, variously, a lost voice, cold symptoms, exhaustion, aches and even an upset stomach. Yay :/

This now seems to have gone into my sinuses and into my ear. Last night I was awake for most of the night with very bad earache. Today the pain has pretty much gone, thankfully, but my ear feels blocked and as though it needs popping, and is also leaking discharge (sorry, I know this is horrible).

Google says that if you have discharge from your ear it means that you have an ear infection and should see a doctor. But I really don’t want to!! I have so much to do before Christmas, guests coming, I just don’t want to waste time at the GP (if I could even get an appointment!) AIBU? Do I really have to go to the doctor or can I just wait for it to clear up on its own?

Are you willing to lose your hearing?

Can you pop into a pharmacy? They can prescribe as needed for ear infections.

I wouldn't risk it, there is a risk of permanent ear damage with an infection like that

Pharmacy can sort this

Only in under 18s

OP you need to before Christmas otherwisw you’re going to end up with a shit Christmas.

Pharmacy first thing.

Discharge from the ear is not great news. Soldier on if you like but you may be creating more problems for yourself further down the line if an infection is taking hold, whereas if you get seen now you may be back to normal by Christmas day itself rather than worse and potentially having to seek medical help on the day itself which will be much more inconvenient.

Sometimes you just have to scale back your plans. I totally get how impossible that feels but it can be liberating and people are often kinder than you expect. And if they aren't, maybe you aren't the problem.

I am just recovering from exactly the same series of symptoms! I managed eventually to clear my blocked ear (it did have some watery discharge coming from it). I would monitor it, if it’s infected it’ll become so painful that you’ll have to see a pharmacist/GP.

My GP won't see someone with ear ache unless it's lasted 3 days. Ear infections can clear up on their own. Antibiotics are a last resort.

Not for adults, they can't.

OP, you need to be seen. Ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss.

YANBU - your health, your decision. Personally I’d go.

As long as you are otherwise healthy your body will fight the infection. You don't have to have antibiotics for every infection.

Never bugger around with any infections in your head.

Ear infections are too close to the brain to ignore if they’re getting bad IMO (mind you IANAD).

Why post? You clearly need the doctor and the fact you googled it means you thought it likely.

Why wouldn’t you make the time and get your meds before you get worse?

I don’t get this attitude at all.

Millions of our ancestors from pre antibiotic eras are yelling at you that this is nonsense.

(Obviously you don’t need antibiotics for every infection but you do for some - even if you’ve been healthy up to then)

I had similar a while ago. I saw my pharmacist, who examined it and told me I had burst my ear drum and it was now infected and I needed to see my gp as antibiotics were needed. I went to my gp practice, told them what the pharmacist had said and they fitted me in the following day, and yes it was as the pharmacist said. I think seeing the pharmacist first helped massively. Firstly because I knew it wasn’t just going to disappear on its own and I needed further help and secondly my gp surgery knew I wasn’t wasting their time .

It’s draining and you aren’t in agony or have raging infection symptoms, so I’d not go. Drink plenty, use warm compresses and pain killers if you have to. They are usually self-limiting and antibiotics rarely help much.

FGS go to the GP. I’d expect this nonsense from my teenager but think you are an adult?

I’d see how you are at 8am, if in pain call the doctor

Same. Everyone’s looking for the elusive third option but it doesn’t exist.

I agree you need antibiotics.

The confidence with which people
spout this shit out.

Hmm, thanks everyone- that’s pretty unanimous! I’ll head to the pharmacy in the morning.

Pharmacy can help with sinus and ear infections. Best to sort it tomorrow before everything closes for Christmas.