Blocked Ear

[milly143]

I have had a blocked ear since Monday night which is causing pain and leading to headaches. I rang to make an appointment with the nurse but the receptionist refused to give me an appointment until next Friday saying I needed to use ear drops or oil until then. I have been doing so but it has not improved at all and I can't hear anything properly. Any suggestions for what else I can do? It is driving me insane and turning me into a grumpy cow. Should I just ring for an appointment to see the Doctor as they don't ask what it is for if you want a Doc's appointment.

[RATTER15]

Ok this is a very common problem that I deal with on a regular basis, all the Dr will do is advise that you put Olive Oil in your ear twice a day for 2 weeks and then they will syringe it out.

Start the ear drops now and make an appointment with your GP or practice nurse.

[milly143]

Hi Ratter,

Thanks for the answer. I have been using drops since Tuesday morning (first opp. I had to get any) and made an appointment the same day which is for next Friday with the nurse. I know they have to follow proceedures, I'm just a bit frustrated because I can't hear properly and it's causing ear and headaches. Guess I will just have to stock up on the Nurofen.

[Sqad]

Pain, you say?
Not sure that wax would give you pain.
Does the pain get worse when you touch your ear of talk?

If the answer is affirmative than you need to see your doctor for antibiotic drops as it sounds like otitis externa.

[lorri24601]

I have had same problem in the past and i sympathise, it drives me mad and makes me grumpy as hell as well.It may be worth trying different drops,i don`t know what you have been using so far but, i used earex for a weeek and it did nothing, i then changed to otex and it cleared it in 2 days, i could feel the different in the way it was working as soon as i used it.Changing brand may not make any difference in your case, but it may be worth a try :-)

[woofgang]

holding something warm next to your ear can sooth, Traditionally it was a roasted onion in a cloth but anything warm will help

[Mampara]

I have also suffered with this problem.

I have found that if I lie on my side, put three good drops of OTEX eardrops in the ear and leave for 15minutes the wax starts to soften. Then i put a small chunk of cooton wool in the ear and big dollops of yellow wax are absorbed.
Repeat twice a day and within two days you will at least be hearing again and more comfortable and the ear can be syringed easily.

[milly143]

Hi Squad, the pain doesn't get any worse if I touch it or talk, it's more of a contstant dull pain.

Lorri, I am currently using Earex so I might pop to Tesco at lunch and get some Otex and see if that helps anything.

[piggynose]

hi milly143, it depends where you live.
In brum you have the option of Boots nhs surgery, its similar to a typical GP surgery. I used to go there every 6months with blocked ears, obviously after putting ear drops in for about a week( best drops-bicarb of soda) and without an appointment.

piggy

[Sqad]

milly...OK.....we are all assuming that it is wax........has anyone looked in?

[milly143]

Wow, thanks for all the answers. Struggling to keep up.

I have been putting drops in every morning and in the evening after shower and then putting soft cotton wool in my ear but absolutely no different.

I live in Oxfordshire (work in Bucks), have no idea if there are any of the clinics you suggest in Boots.


Squad, I am assuming it is wax but nobody has looked at it as the receptionist won't let me see anyone. I think you commented on my post the other day about having a suspected perf. ear drum when I was younger so I'm not convinced the nurse will syringe anyway. Or shoudl I just keep quiet about that?

[brenda]

If the ear drum is perforated , syringing may not be carried out . The wax , if there is any is removed by suction, in this neck of the woods , Teeside , it is done at the local hospital.

[Sqad]

This is a typical abracadabra thread.

Nobody seems to know what we are dealing with. Insist on seeing someone who can look in an ear and give a definitive answer.

Syringing a perforated ear, gently, is no big deal, but suction depends upon the person sucking the ear, knowing what he/she is doing????

You need to see a doctor to look in......why are you getting pain? That is the problem.

[welshlibranr]

Hi milly,I had this problem just 2 weeks ago, I was putting Earex drops into the affected ear twice daily for a week, and there was no improvement, in fact the ear was becoming sore, and I was becoming more deaf. I went to see the nurse, who looked into my ear, and confirmed that it was a wax build up, she advised me use olive oil, warmed slightly, for 5 days and then she syringed it.........all fine now!

[milly143]

Thanks Squad, I know it's a bit much expecting someone on here to come up with the perfect answer when all you have to go on is what I say. I'll give it the weekend and ask to see the Doc on monday if there is no change.

I have just been reminded I have to pop to the chemist today to pick up a prescription for my Dad. Is it worth asking a chemist (in Tesco) to have a look or is it not really their area?

[Sqad]

milly....Tesco´s ? doesn´t say much for the NHS does it!

I shouldn't bother.

[milly143]

Ha Ha. Just the easiest one to use to get Dad's tablets.

[TTG]

Gently warm oil, place in ear and plug with cotton wool. Leave in overnight. Sometimes it can take quite a while for wax to soften. Then syringe can be done.

Impacted wax can be very very painful. I have experienced this and the ear canal became infected behind it. Even syringe would not shift it. 'Micro suction' was the solution. It was such a relief and is done as an out patient.

[anneasquith]

discuss your problem with the pharmacist, they often give good advice.

[LoftyLottie]

I had an earache years ago which made me deaf. The doctor was very dismissive of it. I ended up off work for three weeks, almost totally deaf in both ears and attending out patients for treatment. How can a receptionist give you medical advice? If the ear was just blocked with wax surely you wouldn't be in pain. Damn receptionists. Fortunately they don't rule the roost in our medical practice and you can go in and see a nurse if you can't get an appointment, and, if necessary, the nurse will involve the doctor.

[LoftyLottie]

You shouldn't have to tell the receptionist what you want to see a doctor for and you don't have to. Just say it's for personal reasons that you will only discuss with a GP.