Grommet Query

[Eve]

After an initial issue with an infection and it settling in it was brilliant and really helped with the pressure and popping and clicking in my worse ear. My dulled hearing in that ear improved too.

The past month or so though it doesn't seem to be working like it did, I can't feel the pressure releasing and the popping and clicking is back.

Had some pain about three weeks ago and GP checked and confirmed it was still in and no obvious sign of infection and then the pain got better. Had some more discomfort on and off the last day or so.

Could it be blocked with some debris or something? Not something I could fix myself I would imagine and still a while before going back to ENT but it is likely to fix itself without having to get ENT to fix it?

[Sqad]

Yes, it could be blocked with either debris or blood, in which case ti would cease to function and would be rendered useless.

How do you know if it is blocked? Well apart from getting a Dr to look with his auriscope, a simple method would be to nip your nose, press your lips together and gently at first, blow down your nose. If you can hear or feel air coming through your ear, or a noise, then the grommet is patent, but if not then it is blocked and there is nothing that you can do to unblock it and it will need replacing.

[Eve]

Morning Sqad, thanks for that.

I've not been able to get air to come out when blowing my nose like that for a while, one of the things I've been checking though wasn't sure if it was meant to stay like that. I had a brief time when I had a bit of release then it went away again.

After I had it checked initially with the pain the nurse practitioner I saw then said that my ear was very red round it and she could see blood and they gave me antibiotics in case of an infection. It settled and worked for a bit after that though.

The GP who looked recently said she could see it reflecting so it was still in there but didn't mention any blood or anything but would it need a more hospital type scope to see?

Looks like it's done for then :( Hope they will put another one in. Not even got my appointment yet as they said 6 months and they hadn't got any showing for then so been waiting for one in the post.

Do you think they would be open to me ringing to see if they could have a look sooner, especially as I've got some discomfort again? Appointment was beginning of June so it would be around December otherwise.

[Sqad]

\\\\\Do you think they would be open to me ringing to see if they could have a look sooner, especially as I've got some discomfort again?\\\

See your GP and ask HIM to ring to expedite your next appt.

Do you know what i would do? Go to Boots, buy some Otex (hydrogen Peroxide drops) and use them over the weekend as instructed.
That will answer a few of your queries.

[Eve]

Ooh, thanks for that, I will go buy some when I'm out this afternoon. Will let you know if it works.

If it doesn't do anything I'll give my GP a ring and see what they can do.

Thank you again for your advice, it's much appreciated.

[Eve]

While I'm on here, I had an abscess form that had been there a while but not seeming really nasty like some I've had, just a small lump of puss which wasn't sorting itself. When I saw a GP last week she put a needle in it for me and squeezed it and have me some Fucidin cream.

It's just reformed like it was before so if I try a needle myself, would surgical spirit (which I already have) do to sterilise the needle or should I buy proper antiseptic stuff like TCP?

It's not something I'd normally do as was told before that a DIY job could lead to a worse infection but GP suggested it.

[Sqad]

\\\\ if I try a needle myself, would surgical spirit (which I already have) do to sterilise the needle\\\

That sounds very sensible.

[Eve]

Brilliant, thank you again. Have a lovely day.