I've not tried very often tbf, is there something I'm missing?
I started feeling unwell 4 weeks ago, just a standard cold. So I let it work through, but at the end was left with a nasty cough and completely blocked ears. Tried some home remedies, which didn't work, and then 2 weeks ago started feeling fluey, shivery achey etc. And my ears started leaking muck.
So clearly something infected, prob need antibiotics. I went to the chemist, who gave me a full list of questions, and then said they couldn't look at ear infections unless I was under 17. At the age of 49, I reckon she could have informed me of this before asking all the questions.
She advised me to go to the GP (next door) and ask for an urgent appointment. I knew it was going to be too late in the day for that, but went in to ask. They confirmed that I couldn't have an appointment, but looking at me thought I should be seen by out of hours, which I should phone after 6.15.
I phoned as requested, and after a triage I was told the Dr would phone back within 2 hours. They said it was likely I'd have to go to a location 30 miles away, which DH would have to take me to because although I drive ,I'm only insured on the work van for work purposes (yes this is ludicrous, but I've been quoted 4k minimum on the family car because I once ASKED whether I could do some deliveries in the car, and they decided to cancel my insurance!)
So we sat up till midnight waiting for the call, both of us had work in the morning so gave up then. I eventually got a call at 4.30 am, which of course I missed. So the following morning, I actually felt a little better, but the pain and itching in my ears was extreme. I attempted to phone the GP, the recorded message informed me I could hold, or make an appointment in person. The surgery is roughly on the way to work, so that seemed the better option. I went in, to be told that no I couldn't make an appointment in person, I should go and phone. I tried to phone from outside, where it said I was number 45 in the queue, but they could call me back.
They inevitably called me back when I was driving, and when I phoned again all appointments were gone. The following day I tried again. Work can in theory be a little flexible, they don't mind me picking up the parcels an hour late, but of course if I do so I need to work late. And of course the later I start, the further from my home town I'm likely to be at a time I might be offered an appointment. I've never had a day sick, and I accept it'll have to happen sometime, but I really can't afford to take a day off just to attempt to make an appointment, costing a day's wages and risking my job (self employed gig economy, they just give your round away). Again I missed the call back while driving.
So I googled the antibiotic ear drops I'd had a few years ago. I was surprised that I could buy them and pay 24 hour delivery. I purchased them, and nothing turned up. So I rang the chemist, who said there was a hold on my order because of a tech issue which hadn't confirmed my email. She sorted it out on the phone, and sent me an email so I could confirm details. It didn't arrive again. I phoned again to be told there was a note on my file that they were out of stock, would I accept a different brand? Yes, of course I will, why haven't you emailed/texted/called? What use is a note on a file I can't see?? I receive the eardrops 4 days late, my ears are agony...
The eardrops work a treat, after a week all itching/pain/discharge has gone. But I still can't hear, and there's quite a bit of swelling in my neck and jaw which is uncomfortable. I still think I should see a doctor. This should be easier now because it's not urgent? I can just book an advance appointment I can get to? No apparently not, I've got to do the 8.30 call back thing, and hope that a) they don't phone when I'm driving and b) they can offer a late enough appointment that I won't be miles away and can get to it.
I just don't understand how I'm supposed to make this work.