"Multiple courses of antibiotics"

During november I discovered green mucus leaking from my ear, the ear was exceptionally painful. Due to this I contacted NHS24 and was on hold for over 90 minutes. After eventually being connected my call was cut off after several minutes! I had to call again later (no call back received from NHS 24 to me) and was, again on hold for around an hour.

After explaining my symptoms several times to different triage, I was about to be prescribed antibiotics over the phone. I stated I wished to be seen as I could not hear. As a result I was directed to out of hours at Queen Margaret. I duly attended there and was advised I had an ear infection and was prescribed antibiotics.

I duly completed the course of antibiotics however on ending the course my ear was still discharging and painful. I made contact with the local medical practise and if I recall correctly I received a phone call from the nurse whereby a second course of antibiotics was prescribed. I completed that course. 

I can't remember exact dates or order of events as I was, at the same time, sent for a bone scan due to ongoing raised liver enzymes. Unfortunately the bone scan came back with something suspicious on my spine and as a result , I was called into the surgery to see a doctor to discuss these results. At that time they explained to me suspicions of cancer and that I was to be sent urgently for CT scan of my abdomen, lungs etc. I think it was during this appointment that I also informed them that my ear infection had still not cleared up. The doctor thereafter took a swab from my ear to identify the bacteria. A few days later I was contacted to be told I was to take a specific antibiotic for the ear infection owing to the results of the swab. During this time as I say, I was under tremendous stress and was at the ECDC to have CT scan carried out.

I finished the 5 day course of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor for my ear infection however, by day 6, the infection was clearly back. Just to confirm this was now 3 courses of antibiotics I had been prescribed. I then saw or spoke with the doctor again and explained the ear infection was still ongoing. I think this was during a phone call letting me know that the CT scan was clear and I had no cancer 

At that time the doctor prescribed now my 4th course of antibiotics for my ear infection. Again I completed the course. Again the infection has not cleared up. In January, I phoned the medical practise on two occasions, both times I explained to the reception staff that I had already had four separate courses of antibiotics but my ear infection had still not cleared up. On both occasions no offer to be seen at the practice was forthcoming instead I was told I would be phoned by the nurse.

I missed the call back from my first phone call as I had phoned in the morning but wasn't called back until afternoon by which time I was at work. No voicemail was left. Due to this a couple of days later I again called the surgery, I again explained that I had now had 4 courses of antibiotics and my infection had still not cleared up. I requested that I be called before 3pm and was advised I would be. Unfortunately I was not called back until after this time and was at work unable to take the call. 

During the night I was in excruciating pain due to what was clearly infection now in my thumb. I was in too much pain to be able to be on hold for an hour to NHS 24 so instead waited until morning and called my surgery. I again explained about my ear infection and now my thumb. I was advised nurse would call me shortly. 

A nurse did duly call me a short time later. I think I again explained that I had already had 4 courses of antibiotics for my ear infection and that now I also have infection in my thumb. Sadly it felt like that the nurse calling was basically working her way through a list of people to call and was very brusque in the call, asking little or no questions and prescribing flucloxicillin before hanging up. I felt absolutely no care was given 

The next day I again called the surgery. I spoke with someone there. Yet again I explained the infections I have and that I was now on my 5th course of antibiotics in as many weeks. I also explained how ill I was feeling and I wasn't accepting a phone call, I wished to be seen. Despite all the information I gave her, they simply advised I call back again between 8/11.30 the following day. Yet again i felt like no duty of care was being given, no appointment was opened up for me to attend and I am fully aware this could have been done.

The next day I was feeling so unwell due to awful side effects of the antibiotics, in the morning I managed to call the surgery 

I again explained my situation and advised that someone had told me the previous evening that I would get an appointment that day. I was shocked beyond words when the reception staff asked if the number I was calling from was the best number to get me on. !! I again explained that I needed to actually see someone! Having already said that at the beginning of my call! thankfully I saw the nurse today!