Help - excruciating ear-ache - Advice

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:12

Please has anyone any advice - I'm in agony with ear-ache. I've had a recurring ear infection over the past 6 weeks - not helped by having to fly back & forward Spain - UK.

I was really bad last week with deafness but not too much pain, on Thursday, saw Doc who said I had perforated eardrum in right ear - left ear no problem, she prescribed anti-biotics and on Friday loads of pus came out of ear (sorry

)

On Saturday left ear started to become painful and Sunday morning woke to find blood on the pillow & blood oozed out of my ear all day. Phoned NHS Direct (pain and a half) who advised taking Paracetamol & going back to GP.

The Paracetamols did nothing at all for the pain and this morning GP prescribed Co-Codamol (codeine & paracetamol). She said the ear is so congested and full of pus she couldn't see the ear-drum but it'll most likely burst eventually - whi at least should ease the pain.

So far I've taken four of these today and the pain is as bad as ever. I'm at my wit's end, been up since 4am as I couldn't sleep with the pain, I'm sooo tired and I just feel like crying

Sorry for the length of this but any advice gratefully received.

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 19:13

If the painkiller isn't working then you need something else. Can you get a doctor out tonight?

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

If the painkiller isn't working then you need something else. Can you get a doctor out tonight?

I don't know if I can face the hassle of it all feeling so tired and everything - it took forever to get through to NHS direct yesterday and then they said a nurse would ring but could be up to 8 hours!

And I can't imagine what they could give me that's stronger than codeine

molybecks · 26-10-2009, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by suki c

I don't know if I can face the hassle of it all feeling so tired and everything - it took forever to get through to NHS direct yesterday and then they said a nurse would ring but could be up to 8 hours!

And I can't imagine what they could give me that's stronger than codeine

I know what you mean! So don't worry!

I had an ear infection in June (in both ears, bad luck eh?) and it was very painful. If the eardrum bursts (is that what you meant) then apparently it'll either be painful or a release.

However, don't go out (if you can) and stay in where no germs can go in/out of the ear.

And i know it's not helping (as you say) but just do what the GP says and avoid water in the ears.

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 19:20

There's a couple of things but they don't hand them out without a consultation.

To be honest, that's all the advice I can give.

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:29

Thank you Molybecks - did yours get completely better? I'm so worried about going totally deaf!

I just found this thread I posted at the beginning of Sept. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...040&highlight=

I'd forgotten it'd all started as long ago as that. I've flown to Spain & back twice more since then which probably hasn't helped!!

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

There's a couple of things but they don't hand them out without a consultation.

To be honest, that's all the advice I can give.

thanks - I may phone NHS direct again - maybe it'd be OK to take double the dose of codeine or something but wouldn't want to do it without a doc's say so.

Nesta Robbins · 26-10-2009, 19:34

Oh dear Suki, this sounds like the worst pain imagineable. You poor thing. I totally understand how demented and wrung out you must feel, but I personally think you should go to A & E. It sounds like it's filled up again and they can take a look and perhaps drain it for you? Take enough of this awful pressure and pain off to at least get you a few hours sleep. Then back to the GP for an emergency appointment tomorrow. Not to worry about tonight, but it sounds like it's reached the stage where you should see an ear specialist. Really hope you get relief soon.

molybecks · 26-10-2009, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by suki c

Thank you Molybecks - did yours get completely better? I'm so worried about going totally deaf!

I just found this thread I posted at the beginning of Sept. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...040&highlight=

I'd forgotten it'd all started as long ago as that. I've flown to Spain & back twice more since then which probably hasn't helped!!

I'll check that thread out.

Well, mine was an ear infection (if it was mild then i probably would have died with the full thing) and it lasted 3-4 days (but i had the odd ache and 'weird feeling' a few days before it hit) and the week after it faded it still felt a bit weird, no pain, just blocked.

I had no medical attention at all, my choice and probably wasn't wise but apparently an ear infection should last no more than a week and if it persists see your GP.

I don't really know what to suggest but i understand about the 'puss', i used to wake up in the night and feel it in my ear and i had to clean it. I'll put this bit in spoilers as it may make people 'queer' (hehe)

spoiler:
About day 2-3 the puss was actually mild green, it also dried up very quickly too so i had like green crisp stuff in my ear, mank right?

- i know the people who didn't want to look soooo are going to.

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by suki c

thanks - I may phone NHS direct again - maybe it'd be OK to take double the dose of codeine or something but wouldn't want to do it without a doc's say so.

Lord no, don't do that! Codeine really isn't good for your digestive system. You don't want problems with that as well as with your ear.

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by molybecks

I don't really know what to suggest but i understand about the 'puss', i used to wake up in the night and feel it in my ear and i had to clean it. I'll put this bit in spoilers as it may make people 'queer' (hehe)

spoiler:
About day 2-3 the puss was actually mild green, it also dried up very quickly too so i had like green crisp stuff in my ear, mank right?

- i know the people who didn't want to look soooo are going to.:p

Ha-ha you've made me chuckle for the first time in days

(mine isn't green BTW -yet

)

cosmo · 26-10-2009, 19:41

Something with codeine will do you no harm short term.

Nurofen Plus and Co-codamol both contain codeine - and you can take one lot of each every two hours.

molybecks · 26-10-2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by suki c

Ha-ha you've made me chuckle for the first time in days

(mine isn't green BTW -yet

)

Hmm, that's actually good tbh that it's not green. And i'm pleased i could raise a smile!

It was an awful week though, i will never forget it.

It was all self brought on though, i think i put a needle in my ear to itch it (don't ask, and yes it's not a wise move and the needle wasn't exactly the cleanest and you can call me a filthy begger (kim and aggie style). But by heckers did i pay for it. And i will never do that again. To top it off i applied some 'earex' (but a tesco value make) and i think that blocked my ear(s) in even more, so my ears where blocked, muffled AND pussy .. and painful.

Let us know how you feel tomorow. And i think you can take up to 2andahalf paracetemol at a time, if the pain is rather bad.

molybecks · 26-10-2009, 19:44

OMG i just saw that it said 'pussy'-

i didn't mean that i meant pussey. (puss basically)

Not sure how you spell it!

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo

Something with codeine will do you no harm short term.

Nurofen Plus and Co-codamol both contain codeine - and you can take one lot of each every two hours.

The co-codamols I've taken don't seem to have had any effect at all but I didn't realise I could take them every 2 hours - I'll take a couple more now

cosmo · 26-10-2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by suki c

The co-codamols I've taken don't seem to have had any effect at all but I didn't realise I could take them every 2 hours - I'll take a couple more now

NO!!!!!!!

Not Co-codamols every two hours!!

Take them every four hours. Two hours after you've taken the Co-codamol you can take the Nurofen Plus - and so on.

So you're taking a different drug every two hours.

Don't do it for more than a day.

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 19:48

You see, Cosmo! You have to be so careful what you say on a messageboard about painkillers....

And Nureofen won't do any good at all. They are for inflammation, not infection.

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by molybecks

Hmm, that's actually good tbh that it's not green. And i'm pleased i could raise a smile!

It was an awful week though, i will never forget it.

It was all self brought on though, i think i put a needle in my ear to itch it (don't ask, and yes it's not a wise move and the needle wasn't exactly the cleanest and you can call me a filthy begger (kim and aggie style). But by heckers did i pay for it. And i will never do that again. To top it off i applied some 'earex' (but a tesco value make) and i think that blocked my ear(s) in even more, so my ears where blocked, muffled AND pussy .. and painful.

Let us know how you feel tomorow. And i think you can take up to 2andahalf paracetemol at a time, if the pain is rather bad.

thanks again - we all do daft things at times and at least you won't do that again - I read somewhere that you should never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear

cosmo · 26-10-2009, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

You see, Cosmo! You have to be so careful what you say on a messageboard about painkillers....

And Nureofen won't do any good at all. They are for inflammation, not infection.

Nurofen Plus I said - it contains codeine. And they are pain killers - no matter if the pain is being caused by infection or not.

I had a raging toothache late one night a few years back and couldn't get emergency dental treatment so called NHS direct.

What I've advised suki to do is exactly what they advised me to do.

suki c · 26-10-2009, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo

NO!!!!!!!

Not Co-codamols every two hours!!

Take them every four hours. Two hours after you've taken the Co-codamol you can take the Nurofen Plus - and so on.

So you're taking a different drug every two hours.

Don't do it for more than a day.

oops - too late - i've just taken them

. But It's about 3 hours since the last lot so should be okay?

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 19:58

Yeah you should be ok if it's 3 hours. Best not do it again though.

Cosmo, I understand what you are saying but there are limits on painkillers for good reason. You don't know Suki and you don't know her tolerance level for different drugs. That's why doctors do the prescribing.

Suki, seriously, if the over the counter drugs aren't working, seek some medical help. There are things they can give that will take away the pain but you need a consultation first. If the pain doesn't go soon, consider A+E.

cosmo · 26-10-2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

Yeah you should be ok if it's 3 hours. Best not do it again though.

Cosmo, I understand what you are saying but there are limits on painkillers for good reason. You don't know Suki and you don't know her tolerance level for different drugs. That's why doctors do the prescribing.

Suki, seriously, if the over the counter drugs aren't working, seek some medical help. There are things they can give that will take away the pain but you need a consultation first. If the pain doesn't go soon, consider A+E.

So you think if someone comes on an advice forum seeking advice for a medical condition they want to be told by everyone to 'go to A&E'? Anyone could say that coudn't they?

Some people might want to ask other people's advice and maybe google it to confirm.

Of course there are nutters out there who'd try to kill suki by giving deliberately bad advice but I'm not one of them.

mirandashell · 26-10-2009, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo

Of course there are nutters out there who'd try to kill suki by giving deliberately bad advice but I'm not one of them.

Oh for lords sake...... I didn't actually say you were, I was just advising you to be careful about telling Suki how many drugs to take because you don't know her. You were fine on codeine every two hours, she might not be. Neither you nor I know.

cosmo · 26-10-2009, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

Oh for lords sake...... I didn't actually say you were, I was just advising you to be careful about telling Suki how many drugs to take because you don't know her. You were fine on codeine every two hours, she might not be. Neither you nor I know.

Fair enough.

suki c · 26-10-2009, 20:13

OK - calm down

I do appreciate your advice and TBH I should have double checked the leaflet for myself - so only myself to blame if I drop off the perch

I'm going to see how I am in the morning and then consider A&E.

(I suppose a glass of wine to help me sleep is out of the question ?)

26-10-2009, 19:12	#1
suki c Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Andalucia, Spain Posts: 1,893	Help - excruciating ear-ache Please has anyone any advice - I'm in agony with ear-ache. I've had a recurring ear infection over the past 6 weeks - not helped by having to fly back & forward Spain - UK. I was really bad last week with deafness but not too much pain, on Thursday, saw Doc who said I had perforated eardrum in right ear - left ear no problem, she prescribed anti-biotics and on Friday loads of pus came out of ear (sorry ) On Saturday left ear started to become painful and Sunday morning woke to find blood on the pillow & blood oozed out of my ear all day. Phoned NHS Direct (pain and a half) who advised taking Paracetamol & going back to GP. The Paracetamols did nothing at all for the pain and this morning GP prescribed Co-Codamol (codeine & paracetamol). She said the ear is so congested and full of pus she couldn't see the ear-drum but it'll most likely burst eventually - whi at least should ease the pain. So far I've taken four of these today and the pain is as bad as ever. I'm at my wit's end, been up since 4am as I couldn't sleep with the pain, I'm sooo tired and I just feel like crying Sorry for the length of this but any advice gratefully received.

26-10-2009, 19:13	#2
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,704	If the painkiller isn't working then you need something else. Can you get a doctor out tonight?

26-10-2009, 19:20	#5
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,704	There's a couple of things but they don't hand them out without a consultation. To be honest, that's all the advice I can give.

26-10-2009, 19:29	#6
suki c Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Andalucia, Spain Posts: 1,893	Thank you Molybecks - did yours get completely better? I'm so worried about going totally deaf! I just found this thread I posted at the beginning of Sept. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...040&highlight= I'd forgotten it'd all started as long ago as that. I've flown to Spain & back twice more since then which probably hasn't helped!!

26-10-2009, 19:34	#8
Nesta Robbins Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 283	Oh dear Suki, this sounds like the worst pain imagineable. You poor thing. I totally understand how demented and wrung out you must feel, but I personally think you should go to A & E. It sounds like it's filled up again and they can take a look and perhaps drain it for you? Take enough of this awful pressure and pain off to at least get you a few hours sleep. Then back to the GP for an emergency appointment tomorrow. Not to worry about tonight, but it sounds like it's reached the stage where you should see an ear specialist. Really hope you get relief soon.

26-10-2009, 19:41	#12
cosmo Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North London Posts: 12,990	Something with codeine will do you no harm short term. Nurofen Plus and Co-codamol both contain codeine - and you can take one lot of each every two hours.

26-10-2009, 19:44	#14
molybecks Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Walford. Services: Eastenders/...Hollyoaks...\Lady Gaga<3/..Doctor Who../ :D Posts: 4,455	OMG i just saw that it said 'pussy'- i didn't mean that i meant pussey. (puss basically) Not sure how you spell it!

26-10-2009, 19:48	#17
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,704	You see, Cosmo! You have to be so careful what you say on a messageboard about painkillers.... And Nureofen won't do any good at all. They are for inflammation, not infection.

26-10-2009, 19:58	#21
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,704	Yeah you should be ok if it's 3 hours. Best not do it again though. Cosmo, I understand what you are saying but there are limits on painkillers for good reason. You don't know Suki and you don't know her tolerance level for different drugs. That's why doctors do the prescribing. Suki, seriously, if the over the counter drugs aren't working, seek some medical help. There are things they can give that will take away the pain but you need a consultation first. If the pain doesn't go soon, consider A+E.

26-10-2009, 20:13	#25
suki c Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Andalucia, Spain Posts: 1,893	OK - calm down I do appreciate your advice and TBH I should have double checked the leaflet for myself - so only myself to blame if I drop off the perch I'm going to see how I am in the morning and then consider A&E. (I suppose a glass of wine to help me sleep is out of the question ?)