5 year old ear ache

[sherrardk]

Hi all - my 5 year old daughter has really bad ear ache (caused by Glue Ear) - I have tried everything that I do with the others when they get ear ache (three of her siblings suffer from it too). She has had Calpol, Nurofen and we have tried a warm 'thing' to hold against the side of her head/ear but nothing is working. I know it will ease when her ear drum bursts (sorry) but at the moment she is crying out in her sleep and is obviously in great distress. Any other ideas greatfully received.

[Andyvon]

Hi sherrardk.

My wife's two children from her first marriage both had glue ear. I'm not sure what it is but they both had to have operations to have grommets fitted (I'm not sure what those are either!) I know it's drastic and maybe there's no easy cure but I know grommets stopped the pain and helped them to hear properly.

Hope your daughter gets better soon.

[jubieanna]

the only thing i can think of is to try propping her up with some pillows sherrardk. the pain always feels worse when you lie down to sleep. poor little thing i hope she gets better soon x

[welshlibranr]

Oh sher! bless her, no idea what to suggest other than the out of hours do, not easy to get one I know, the weather not helping at all, but I would try!! she must be suffering so much, bless her!..........

[sherrardk]

Hi Andyvon - the eldest had grommets twice (keeps the tubes open to allow air in to stop the goo/glue building up in the first place). The second was due to have grommets fitted 3 months ago but his hearing had returned to normal but has a follow up hearing test on Wednsday, one of the two-year old's ears both popped on Friday! My daughter doesn't get it often but she really seems to be suffering with it tonight. I am at a loss as to what to do as I have used all of my usual tricks (she is only 5 but she is a bit of a drama queen - bless her). Strangely, the other two year old who looks completely different to all of her siblings (they are dark and she is fair) doesn't suffer at all - the specialist thinks it is because the inside of her ears is plumbed slightly differently to the others (similar on the outside and the inside apparently). Thanks for your reply, I am sure she'll be fine as soon as it pops.

[welshlibranr]

sher, I would still ask for the out of hours Doc, why should she suffer!......they have 4 x 4s they can get to you!..............

[Andyvon]

Hi again Sherrardk.

I've just spoken to my wife (she had an accident a few years ago and it's not easy for her to remember or explain to me). I asked her what she did to help her children when their ears hurt. She remembered the name Calpol when I read your thread to her and she's sure she used that. She also says she had ear drops but she can't remember where they came from (presumably the GP). I asked whether the pain had gone by the morning if the child managed to get to sleep but she can't remember.

You say you have used Calpol and I'm sure you know about the ear drops. Maybe if you don't then they might help in the future. Thanks for your explanation of what grommets are by the way as my wife has never been able to explain what they were. I hope your daughter gets some relief soon.

[Sqad]

<<<<<my 5 year old daughter has really bad ear ache (caused by Glue Ear) <<<<<

Glue ear does not cause pain.

See your GP today as she has otitis media (ear infection) and will need antibiotics, otherwise you will have the same problem tonight.

[sherrardk]

Thanks all - her ear has popped and she is feeling much better now.

[anneasquith]

good news sher. hope they are all well for santa.

[237SJ]

Sqad, sorry to be a bore but your post made me think. Does glue ear not cause ear ache? If the middle ear is blocked with mucus and and the pressure can`t equalise between the middle ear and the outer ear, would that not cause earache?

[sherrardk]

Hi 237SJ - I am under the impression that the glue ear gives pain due to the build up of pressure behind the ear drum and once this has popped the pain disappears. She has had a cold and cough and that is why I did not want to take her to get antibiotics as they would not alleviate the pain she was in.

[Sqad]

sherrardk/237SJ

No, glue ear does NOT cause earache. 2 conditions which are completely different and confused by some:

1) Glue ear, not painful, cause unknown, comes on very slowly and doesnt "burst"
2) Otitis media, very painful and if not treated with antibiotics will burst leaving sometimes, a perforated ear drum, which fails to heal....this has what little sherrardk has had and is of bacterial origin.

If the discharge has a "musty, cheesy" smell, this is of particular significance and needs different assessment by an ENT specialist.

[Sqad]

237SJ..I have just read your question again and realised I havent answered it ;-)

Acute otitis media is an acute condition coming on quickly giving the middle ear little or no time to adapt......hence pain and possible eardrum perforation.

Glue ear (secretory otitis media) is completely different it comes on very gradually, almost imperceptibly giving the middle ear and the Eustachian tube, time to adapt.....hence no pain and no perforation.

[237SJ]

Thanks sqad. I`m familiar with otitis media as i`ve had it 3 times. Twice I was stuck abroad unable to fly home with it. It`s horrible and I don`t envy anyone that has it.

[Sqad]

237....Hope that you get away tonight.

[237SJ]

Thanks, So do I!!