Ear and Sinus Infection (Antibiotics)

[spicytuna06]

Hi everyone!

I need some support, I think I’m spiralling a bit !

I had a bit of a rough cold since the 5th June, then started feeling much better! Went to see an ENT for right ear pain he said no infection, just a bit of fluid build up it will pass. The two days later I wake up with severe left side face pain jaw and ear pain ( my left ear was fine when I saw the dr)!

Now I’m basically terrified of taking medication in pregnancy. I battled 5 months of migraines without paracetamol because I’m that scared. Now this pain, I had taken 3 paracetamol in over 48 hrs it was that bad

So I went to a&e today as I was in so much pain and they said my left ear is now slightly swollen and red and most likely sinus infection from my symptoms so they prescribed amoxicillin. I’m absolutely terrified! I took one tablet and then got in the bath feel a little bit better and thinking maybe I should’ve waited a little bit longer to wait for it to pass. I’m 27 weeks pregnant. Please can I have a little bit of advice and support.

Thank you

Try and weigh up the risk of uncontrolled infection to your body and your baby vs antibiotics and paracetamol for pain relief. Paracetamol is long considered pregnancy safe as is amoxicillin in pregnancy. An infection left to get worse is more likely to cause you and your baby serious problems. You have absolutely done the right thing for both yourself and your baby in taking these medications. It doesn't sound like you should have waited any longer, it sounds like it would have only got worse if you left it.

Hope you get over the infection soon, pregnancy is such a rough time to be ill with all the worry of what you can and can't take. It might be worth speaking to your midwife about your anxiety around medication to get some support.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! Re-read and realised I’m rambling!

I realise this is my anxiety taking over, but unfortunately my midwives aren’t very helpful with anything.

I also thought I better take 5 days now then need something stronger later.

Thank you again!

I had a perforated ear drum when pregnant and was told I needed to take amoxicillin as the infection wouldn't heal on its own. My doctor said this was safe and so is paracetamol.

My LB will be 2 in August and had no side effects of allergies.

That's ok, i didn't think you were rambling. I was very anxious during my pregnancies, not so much from a medication point of view but worrying about what could go wrong as I work in obstetric theatres so see a bit of everything. Sometimes we just need a bit of perspective, it's really overwhelming at times feeling so responsible for the health and wellbeing of our baby we are growing!