Ear blocked and jaw feels swollen..

[Backstreetsback1]

I had a swollen ear, some mid level pain earache and it felt like swollen glands and jaw on one side only (couldn't close my bite) called gp, prescribed drops. Then went to a walk in 2 days later when there was no improvement at all. Took a weeks course of amoxicillan since then. Swelling in ear went down and I definitely have some impacted wax. I can see and feel it. But it's been a few days since I finished the antibiotics and the wax hasn't come out. It's draining liquid at night but still feels plugged. My jaw and glands and that side of my face feel swollen and hard to touch but you can really see any swelling. I feel fine, but I don't know whats going on now. Can impacted wax alone cause swelling in the jaw and cheek? I'm trying not to panic it's some super bad infection but I feel OK in myself. It's been 2 weeks now and I'm getting fed up of the constant plugging noises in my ear and jaw issues. When I press on my jar I feel the wax crackling.

Hi, sorry to hear you are in pain, have you been to the dentist? I once through I had really bad ear infection, my whole face hurt on one side , I could not eat or swallow turned out to be an infection in my wisdom teeth.

It definitely could be an tooth infection but my ear is absolutely clogged full of wax so seems unlikely. I am also not really in any pain now at all. And I've had tooth infections before. But might be worth going to the dentist to rule it out

I'd go back to the GP

Is the swelling behind your ear? Could be mastitis

What is draining out of your ear at night? Wax, pus or a straw coloured liquid? You might have perforated your ear drum

Either way, you likely need more/stronger antibiotics and a Dr review asap. Keep an eye on your temperature too.

mastoiditis, not mastitis!!! 😀

I had these exact symptoms but the pain became excruciating and the swelling severe.

The gunk coming out of my ears (it spread from one to the other) was offensive and my neck, side of my cheek, outer ear and next to my eye were swollen. I tried antibiotic/steroid drops but ended up in A&E as I thought I was going to lose my mind with the pain.

It was severe otitis externa and I was admitted for IV antibiotics, painkillers and steroids.

All that to say I'm so sympathetic to you and hope you get the right treatment. I was crying and losing the plot at A&E reception!

There is no particular swelling behind the ear.

The liquid draining out at night is just clear ish fluid. Definitely doesn't look like pus. Might be wax. No pain now at all just an uncomfortable clogged blocked feeling. And some tenderness in my cheek and jaw. No visible swelling though its like I can feel but you can't see it.

I will of course go back to the gp. Everything I read on the NHS website says you rarely need antibiotics for an ear infection and I've already had one course, and the antibiotics won't clear this impacted wax issue so I'm not sure it is an infection. But let's see what the docs say.

Sorry to hear that. It sounds awful.

I don't have any pain or visible swelling. More tenderness. And I have a feeling my TMJ is playing a part too.

My partner can see the wax at the back. Like a yellowy ball. And I can feel it almost moving from side to side. I won't put anything in my ear but the temptation to just try and scoop it out is hard. It's itchy too. Very very itchy.

I'd have microsuction done. I had similar pain to you once and microsuction cleared the wax from my ear and I felt better the next day. Cost about £50-£60. You can have it done at Boots and Specsavers.

They won't/ shouldn't do microsuction if you're in pain

Back to the GP and don't be fobbed off. A Practice Nurse could check for wax.