Oh gawd, help! Eustachian tube dysfunction with retracted ear drum.

I hope someone can help me as I am not sure what to do;

About 3 months ago I got a little cold. A few days in to the cold I started to hear my heart beat echo.

Anyhoodle, the cold went away and I was left with problems in my right ear. On a few occasions it got really painful. I went to the Dr twice and they said it was glue ear and it would clear up on its own.

Last Tuesday it was so painful, I was crying and literally wanting my 'mummy'. hahah!

Since then, it has continued. With horrific pain. It radiates in to my jaw / teeth and behind my right ear.

I went to the Dr last Friday he said I have a retracted ear drum. He gave me a steriod nose spray and some sudafed.

I have had problems with my ear since I was a child, on and off. I have had a few middle ear infections and my ear drum has burst a couple of times.

I dont currently have a cold or fever. The pain only seems to escalate at night time. It takes about 2 - 3 pandaines just to settle it ... a bit.

I am wondering; if the pain gets bad again tonight, if I should just go to the emergency department. I have private health insurance and should I be admitted can get treatment for free under my insurance. Although I am wondering if this is a silly idea - considering I have seen a Dr. My thinking is, I can get hopefully get immediate treatment, under my heath insurance. Although if I go via all the Drs it will cost me a lot (probs about $300 just to see a specialist ENT Dr for a consult).

So I am wondering; if anyone has experienced this killer pain ... and if going to the emergency department is silly.

The pain is far worse that any middle ear infection I have had.

Thanks for your help,

Bec - Sydney, Australia.