How to treat severe ear pain in a child with an exposed ear canal?

[cupofteaplease]

My dd1 is 7. She has always suffered form glue ear and has had 2 sets of grommets.

Her latest appointment with the ENT consultant showed that due to persistent nasal allergy, 70% of her ear drum has been 'vacuumed' into the ear canal meaning her hearing is low, but more concerning is the pain she is in. He prescribed a steroid nasal spray to clear her tubes.

The pain is frequent, and she has alternate calpol and brufen most days. Today was a very bad day and she asked me to take her to the GP (shows how bad it is when a child asks to go to the doctor). GP said there's no infection, it's 'just' the exposed ear canal that's causing the pain and to keep going with the paracetamol and brufen.

Tonight she's been in agony. It's awful to watch. She said she was tired but couldn't sleep through the pain. She said, 'If the doctor can't take the pain away, can we ask God?' I've given her a hot water bottle and she's finally fallen asleep in the armchair.

What else can I do? I hate seeing her in pain. I can't believe there's nothing else to be done and she just has to deal with it...

[Lougle]

Have you tried the cotton wool in the ear trick, Cup? It might shield it from breeze, etc.

[cupofteaplease]

Right, been to see the consultant this afternoon. He has put her on an antidepressant called Amitriptyline which should work on the nerve pain. She is now on the waiting list for an operation to retrieve some of the ear drum from her ear canal and reconstruct it around a new grommet. He said there is no long term solution to her problem, he just needs to keep on top of her pain.

[Lougle]

Poor her, and poor you. I hope the amitriptyline works for her. It'll take a while to get into her system. Did he say how long the waiting list is?

[cupofteaplease]

Thanks Lougle He said it's about 8 weeks, but I agreed to take any cancellations that come up!

[Lougle]

Well let's hope someone cancels