What have I done to my ear???? help!

[Peachy]

Spent yesterday afternoon on the each, when i got back my ears were full of sand and had a bath No shower here, I know that would have been better). When i got out I had a sensation of rpessure in my ears, I covered the end, waggled my head (normally that clears them) and had a sense of an immense vacuum in my ear, and have had really severe pain and complete loss of hearing in one ear since. As it's a bank holiday there's no GP tomorrow, and the only alternative here is A&E which is just too awful a thought as I can't drive atm (morning sickness making me a danger) and would have to take DH and all the kids. What do i do? Its agony, ws up most of the night in pain but can't swallow / cry / etc as that makes it worse.

Do you think your eardrum has burst?

I would call NHS Direct if I were you.

sounds like an ear infection. A warm flannel held to your ear may give some relief. I think paracetamol's still OK in pregnancy.

wouldn't've thought burst ear drum as that would've relieved pressur & therefore pain.

Dammit, just lost a post[grr]
Ok, so sounds like possibly perforated ear drum - haven't had it myself but have an ear infection at the moment which is miserable . Whichever, I think you need to see a GP. Since you are pg (congratulations by the way !) you don't want to risk getting an infection that would need treating with antibiotics. Doe your GP have an out of hours service or could DH drop you at the hospital so you don't have to take dc in?

HA! [grr] is not a smiley...it is in my mind though

if drum has burst the pain will lessen - so there's probably an infection getting worse if there is still a lot of pain. May go without antibiotics in a few days but I'd see a doctor if you can.

Thanks all, spoke to NHS dDirect and they put me in touch with a local GP who is going to call me back, I think because of pg they want it controlled early- the AB thing was worrrying me too.

Did he call back yet?