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Severe ear pain that won't go

Posted , 4 users are following.

beckysoreear
beckysoreear

5 days ago (Saturday) my pain started as mild earache which I managed with ibuprofen. By Sunday evening I was in excruciating pain radiating up my head and down my jaw. I felt like I was being smashed in the side of the head with a hammer while a wasp repeatedly stung me inside the ear, all in time with my heart beat. By Monday morning a large lump had appeared under my ear and swelling behind and below it. I saw my GP who diagnosed Otitis Externa - due to swelling and debris she could not see my ear drum, my temp was 38.5. I was prescribed Sofradex ear drops. There has been no improvement and last night the pain became truly unbearable- I am unable to lay down as this makes the throbbing worse, I cannot clench my teeth or chew, sleeping is impossible. I called the surgery again this morning (day 3 of antibiotics), this time they had a nurse ring back. I explained the problem and how much pain I'm in. Without seeing me, she prescribed codeine and Amoxiclav with instruction to continue with ear drops, ibuprofen and paracetamol. I've been taking these all day today and am getting no pain relief. Nothing is helping, it's now end of day 5 of earache, and day 3 of antibiotics. Surely something should be improving by now, should I really be feeling worse!?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo beckysoreear

    Posted

    Hi Becky, can you go to emergency and be treated by an ENT there or phone a large ENT clinic and ask for an urgent appointment. Get a referral from your GP for it. You should be able to get in within 24 hours. Whatever you do, keep going back daily if you are in that much pain. Ear pain is a shockingly painful thing to experience but it should be getting better by now. Anti inflammatories might make a difference. Often when the ear is that swollen, the ENT has to put a wick into your ear which allows the ear drops to soak deeper into the ear. I hope it goes very soon!! 
    • beckysoreear
      beckysoreear Olizzieo

      Posted

      Thank you Olizzieo! I've now called up the doctors surgery and really drilled home how much pain I'm in and also pointed out that I'm now on day 4 of antibiotics and things are worse than when they started. I have an emergency appointment with the GP in an hour who says she will have a look and will be able to refer to an ENT specialist - I've also noticed that using sofradex is causing a stinging pain each time I administer the drops. GP suspects I may be having a reaction to the drops and has advised to stop using them until I've seen her - fingers crossed I get somewhere today. The pain combined with lack of sleep is truly something else! Thank you for the advice, 6 days of this has been truly more than enough, your advice gave me the gusto to push a bit harder to get some help. Thank you!
    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo beckysoreear

      Posted

      So glad Becky. I think we worry that doctors will think we are just being sooks. It's only when someone else takes you seriously that you feel it's ok to take yourself seriously. Ear pain is one of the worst things you can ever experience. If I were you I would phone around now for ENT appointments and book in for an appointment today. They can suction any debris in the ear and insert the wick. If you wait to see the GP you may be too late to book in for an appointment with an ENT today. The sooner they see you the better!! My daughter had the same thing. The eardrops stung and caused the infection to get worse. When she saw the ENT he said she was given the wrong drops by the paediatic emergency department, because it had a white sediment in it which had blocked her ear up more. From then on I have always advised people in pain to go straight to the specialist rather than GP, so they are getting expert opinion from someone that only focuses on that part of the body/or that pathology. Let me know when the pain gets better. Am thinking of you!! x
    • beckysoreear
      beckysoreear Olizzieo

      Posted

      Saw the GP who got me an appointment. GP said it's one of the worst infections she's seen (it sure feels pretty bad) and got me an emergency ENT apppointment 4 hours later. The ENT drained off some fluid and I Had a wick put in my ear as the canal has swollen shut so the antibiotics couldn't get in - it was all quite painful but I already feel some relief! The ENT said that my ear drum is perforated, from what he can see if it, it's more than 30% which means it may not heal on its own - I have to finish the course of antibiotics and go back in two weeks so they can assess the damage. At the moment I'm more concerned with getting rid of the infection and pain, even though the hearing loss is annoying I just don't have the energy to worry about it right now. One thing at a time.Thank you again for your help, it's so much appreciated I don't have the words! This is the first time I've ever asked for help online, turns out there are angels hanging around here! Thanks again, and take care! Xx
    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo beckysoreear

      Posted

      Oh Becky you are so sweet. Great GP!!!!! So thrilled that you have got immediate help. You will feel so much better in the next couple of days. The ear drum can easily be patched if it doesn't heal. It's a very easy procedure (my daughter had that too and her hearing is perfect now!!!) Take care. Helping online is just as rewarding for me as it is for you!!! xx
  • penny1983
    penny1983 beckysoreear

    Posted

    Omg I've come across this post whilst searching for something or someone who can describe the pain I'm in... this post describes it. It is seriously horrific, vile pain that is bringing me to my knees. Please help 😫

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