Consistent low level ear pain

[wineandsunshine]

Hi - any advice please!

Back story is suspected tonsillitis 5 weeks ago (had one course of antibiotics). Throat and ears very sore. GP did throat swab and blood test for glandular fever - both came back normal.

My issue is still mild ear ache/some dizziness so I take at least one paracetamol per day to ease off the pain. Do I push for any other tests?

The dentist picked up that I have blisters and ulcers so may be run down or is this part of the same stupid virus?!

Any help or suggestions would be great thanks!

How long did those throat ulcers take to go? I'm on week 4. They haven't done a blood test yet as I had glandular fever as a teenager.

Your ears are probably sore as referred pain from your throat (my ears feel like that now).

Have a look at your throat and see if it still looks red/with ulcers

The ulcers took about two weeks to go - to be honest, it's the ear pain that is doing my head in!

@WillWeSeeTheSunAgain did you have any tests?

They tested for strep throat and it wasn't that. Checked my ears and said they were ok and the pain in my ears was from my throat.

I am suddenly completely exhausted. Finding it hard to get out of bed. Waking up with a sore throat every day. Though glandular fever doesn't normally recur, it feels v similar to when I had it as a teenager (though not as bad as I did then).

Sounds very similar to mine! I just feel completely floored by how long it's taken to feel slightly better. Going back to work next week is going to be fun 😞

Yes I'm back to work tomorrow and dreading it and I have an overseas trip the week after argh. Will make another appointment once I'm back if I'm not better by then. I hate feeling so exhausted. Hope you feel better soon.

Oh blimey! I hope the flight doesn't hurt your ears too much.
I flew back from Rhodes a week ago and definitely noticed it 🥴 hope you feel better too!

Possible Eustachian tube dysfunction.

I've just had a text from the GP saying that I need repeat bloody tests. Apparently the hospital lost my last lot - god knows why the receptionist said they were normal 😞🥴

I'm off for another appointment this afternoon so maybe I will get some answers in a week!

How annoying - I am going on Friday for my blood tests so we can compare notes

Any update?

I didn't get blood tests as they didn't see the point. I'm really worried I'm developing some sort of post viral fatigue. Doctor had no suggestions basically

Throat still full of ulcers

Oh god - that's frustrating! Surely, they should check it out?

I have no blood test results back yet but throat is still sore/ears sore. I'm really trying not to take paracetamol.

He has given me lansoprazole to see if it's from reflux (I have had that before, years and years ago, but it never lasted this long) but basically he is out of ideas after that. I'll start that tonight and see if it works

I fly on Tuesday fgs, so I really hope it doesn't mess with my ears then

Oh - well I guess it's worth a try while you are away on holiday and I hope you manage to have a nice time too 😊

My saga continues - results are all normal so GP wants me to gargle with soluble aspirin for 2/3 weeks and if not reduction in pain I'm being referred to ENT.

Hmmm

I'm not sure how much the gargling will do - but fingers crossed

Ears were ok on the plane. I was thinking I would self refer myself to ENT when I get back if it hasn't gone!

I also realised I was taking the lansoprazole wrong and should have been taking it in the morning (I've been taking it at night) so will correct that tomorrow

Let's hope the aspirin works for you!

Just a quick update - the aspirin gargling is working! I've managed it morning and evening before bed and I'm so happy!!!

How are you feeling? Xx

So pleased it worked for you

Unfortunately I am no better :(. I have to go back in 6 weeks time. If no better by then, it looks like I may have developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Post Viral Fatigue. There are days when I'm struggling to get out of bed. I have to go to bed at 9pm, can't exercise, can't drink. I used to go in the office 4 days a week but I can't manage that - I did 3 days this week and tbh it was too much. First day is fine, but 2 consecutive days in a row is hard.

I'm devastated tbh. Not sure where to go from here. It's like I woke up one day and my life has been drastically changed and there's nothing I can do to get it better.

It's now all about managing to stay within the energy I have available to me and not making it worse. If I do too much, it just means the next day is difficult. It's a bloody nightmare.

How are you feeling now? Could they test for anything else in terms of auto-immune?

I really feel for you as that sounds so hard to deal with, especially if your lifestyle was so normal beforehand.

I am also struggling with my throat again - almost three days after stopping the aspirin I am back to painful glands and swallowing. I think I will email the GP for a referral as it's just recurring now and it's starting to worry me a bit.

Hi - sorry I only saw this today. My sore throat is still here. Taking the lansoprazole has actually helped a bit - have they tried you on a reflux medicine yet?

I haven't had any other tests and I still can't get in to see my own GP so I will go back to the private one at the end of October.

I'm trying to rest but it's not easy as I need to keep working and we're in a super busy time at the moment (I'm abroad next week) but I can't push myself at all. I can barely walk (can do about 30 mins in one day) but I am fine sat down and I need to be in bed by 9pm.

I'm planning to take a few weeks off work shortly. I haven't told work yet and tbh I'm not quite sure what to say as I haven't been diagnosed with anything but hopefully by that point, I might actually be able to see my own GP and get an appointment. Have had this now since the first week in August.