Ear Infection :-(

[Milngavie]

I was diagnosed with an ear infection on Friday and given antibiotics tablets and drops. I ended up in A&E in the early hours of Saturday as my ear canal had swollen shut, my face was swollen and the pain was horrendous.

The nurse couldn't look into my ear due to the swelling but my antibiotics were doubled and they gave me industrial strength pain killers.

Today my ear is still swollen shut and still painful despite the horse tranquillisers, though not the agony I feel without them. It even hurts to close my teeth together!

I had hoped the antibiotics might have had some effect by now :(.

Tell me my ear will not explode and that this pain will eventually go away?

I have been in hospital twice with outer ear infections as I needed IV antibiotics to get the better of them. It may be that you need the same if what you're on isn't working. How long have you had the antibiotics?
Definitely go back to the docs if it carries on and maybe even suggest you might need IV. You sound like I was with the swelling and dreadful pain. You have my sympathy. Hugs x

Thanks FourBears, I'm to admit your reply brought tears to my eyes. Someone who knows what it's like!

On Friday I had 3 single doses of the tablet, yesterday 3 double and so far today 2 double with 1 more to go. I also put the drops in 4 times daily.

I'm on co codamol and can top up with Ibuprofen. Despite this I still feel an ache. As the time for next dose of pain killers approaches the pain ramps up .

I don't think I'll be at work tomorrow. Ironically, I work in a hospital.

Ah you poor thing! I remember it well unfortunately. Got to screaming pitch at times.

Hopefully the antibiotics will work v soon if they're going to. You may need different ones, depending on the type of bacteria. But no expert at all, just what I've picked up!

The trouble with the drops is that if the swelling is too bad, they can't get through to where they're needed. The docs sometimes 'hoover' the ear out with a tiny vac to get rid of debris so that the drops can get through. They can do that with you as an outpatient. I've had that done too.

Please don't hesitate to go back and make a fuss if it stays this bad for much longer. They can always send you to ear, nose and throat dept for a more expert opinion and you could ask for this yourself. These kind of infections can be really serious so take good care. Would you let me know how you're getting on, if you don't mind? Hope you feel lots better very soon x

Don't worry, I'll be beating down the GP's door if this carries on much longer. The pain is really getting to me now, the constant ache is driving me mad. I keep feeling like a pressure is building and something is going to pop then it subsides back to the dull ache/throb.

I will let you know how I get on in the coming days. Thank you for you support .

You're welcome

The pain woke me at 6.00am . Went to bed last night thinking that finally things had started to improve even though it only felt a tiny bit better.

Now I know better. Ear canal still closed and hearing minimal in that ear. Pain is horrendous. Have taken 2 co codamol and now waiting for them to kick in.

Not sure why I'm posting now, just keeping a note of things I suppose.

Ouch! Hope there is someone looking after you. Sounds like a trip back to the doctors is required. Earache is so so painful, certainly on a par with my back to back labour and I could have gas and air and pethidine for that!

Have you tried a warm hot water bottle on it? Or my sister who is prone to the same thing swears by something cold instead. We both have eczema or dermatitis or something inside the ear canal so if that skin gets broken, bacteria gets in. Mind you, by this stage I couldn't stand anything near my ear at all so you may be the same.

All the best, hope you can be seen today if that's what you decide to do. Tell them it's an emergency ( which it is, terrible pain) if necessary. Sending a gentle hug!

Hello again

It's funny, I have eczema on my ears too! Are you me?

I've decided to sit tight today but will phone the surgery first thing tomorrow if there has been no change. My Mum came round and said my face is still puffy on one side, I am a vision to behold.

Co codamol are working but I can tell when it's time to take the next lot without looking at the clock.

Going to the shop in a bit, need some bits and bobs and need some fresh air. I'm hoping my balance hold up!

Do you have flaky skin stuff on the back of your ears too? Never found any who has that, even my sis just has it inside her ear. My DC have it too so must be hereditary.

How are you this evening? Hope the trip out was ok. Know what you mean about the painkillers. Used to try and will the time on so I could take more

Don't worry about the swollen face. I'm sure you're still gawjus!

No flakes behind my ears it's all where my ears join my head and around the ear opening.

Still in pain today but seeing Doc on Thursday. By then I'll have been on the antibiotics for 6 days and if I'm still hurting then hopefully the doc can tell me why.

Managed trip to shops without dizziness which was good. Feel like I'm shouting all the time as I can't judge my own volume .

Have to admit to enjoying the time off work .

Ear pain quite bad today . Glad I am seeing GP tomorrow. The pain seems to becoming from down deep in my ear.

Hi Milngavie

Sorry to hear you're still poorly . Glad you're seeing the doctor tomorrow. The antibiotics don't seem to have done the trick at all, do they? Poor you. So miserable having horrible earache. Sending hugs.

I hope you're having lots of time on the sofa watching telly eating nice food. Definitely required!

Interesting you have the mad ear thing too. Mine seems to be spreading on to the scalp as well.

Sending get well soon vibes

How are you today? What did the GP say? Hope you're ok

Hi fourbears
GP gave me another weeks worth of antibiotics as ear is still red inside. I'm not as sore now but still very deaf on the infected side. Fed up listening to myself breathe!

Hopefully I'll get back to work on Monday though my colleagues have told me to remember my health comes first and if I'm not 100% to stay at home. I'll see what Monday brings.

Hi! I hope you're feeling loads better now. Glad you got more antibiotics. No more ear infections for you now hopefully for ever! Xx