Horrendous ear ache

[lucsnowe]

I wonder if anyone has any advice: I have had absolutely horrendous ear ache. I saw the GP on Friday and she prescribed amoxicillin 500mg 3x per day. Initially, ie yesterday, I though this was helping. However, this morning, stupidly I know, I went swimming. Now the pain is absolutely excruciating again. I have just taken ibuprofen and waiting for that to take effect. The pain seems to take over my whole face, coming in waves, almost
like a contraction! Does anyone else have any aldvice. I know it was ridiculous to swim this am, and regret that deeply!

I suffer from recurrent ear infections so completely sympathise with the pain!
Alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen and if that doesnt work then try some co-codamol instead of paracetamol (co-codamol contains paracetamol).
Keep on with the antibiotics.
Keep your ear completely dry. If you need to do anything wet such as washing your hair then get a bit of cotton wool, cover it in vaseline and put it in your ear. It will keep the water out.
Do not go swimming until it has cleared up!

Thank you Fairgame, particularly for the advice for washing hair. I might have to take co-coda ol, you're right, just seems very extreme. I do have some. Thanks for the support!

Best thing for me was to have a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel & placed over the ear. Hope you get better soon.

This sounds mad but it works, and was recommended to me by our doctor when the DCs were small.

Finely chop an onion and wrap it in a piece of muslin or similar to make a soft ball shape.

Hold this against your ear - even better if you can use a hot water bottle to hold it in place.

I think it works like a poultice and decompresses the swollen infection. Anyway I swear by it!

Tranadol!

Personally found heat doesn't work - does something to the blood vessels that causes even more pain. Same with medicinal glass of wine sadly

Sympathies - is agony

• tramadol

Thank you very much, to all of you, for really helpful advice and practical suggestions. It does feel better since the ibuprofen and I won't swim for a while. Really grateful to all of you.