Blocked ear, prescribed useless drops. Should I go to London for microsuction?

[whatstheetiquette]

I have a blocked ear which I got from swimming. I think that some water is trapped behind wax. I went to the GP and was prescribed Otex ear drops which I have now used for 5 days, twice a day. If anything they have actually made the problem worse, it is certainly no better. The GP said I had quite a bit of impacted wax.

I have been reading threads on MN an seen the clear ear clinic in London (microsuction) recommended. Are there any dangers associated with this and why is it not available on the NHS? I am not really sure what to do - London is a 2 hour train ride from me (not to mention the cost!). Nearest city is Bristol if anyone knows of anything there.

www.clearearclinic.com/services.html

Please help!!!

PS I thikn that the original water got in there around 9 days ago.

Microsuction is available on the NHS, I've had it.
Do your GPs not offer ear syringing anymore? I know some don't.
If you overuse Otex you can make the ear canal inflammed and exacerbate the problem.
I'd stop over the weekend then go back to your GP.

Go back to your gp. He will arrange for the practice nurse or someone to syringe your ear- there are special gadgets to do it now.

You're right, I'll stop the drops and go to the GP on Monday. I was just a bit worried reading old thread that GPs don't do syringing anymore.

I've got the same problem (not caused by water though), saw GP and am getting my ear syringed next week after using the drops for a week. Get it syringed and only then if it's no better look at paying for something else but not before then otherwise you'll be potentially wasting money.

Hello Whats,sorry for you, blocked ears are the pits. If you get your ears syringed you have to use ear drops for 4/5 days to soften the wax. If you live in London you can go to a drop in centre if you don't mind waiting for a couple of hours. At the Clear ear clinic it will cost you £60 but you don't have to use drops so you can have it done straight away, you do have to make an appointment. My daughter goes there all the time as she has tiny ear canals. The people there are highly trained and it is very safe. Look them up. Hope this helps.