pain left submandibular gland

[alezna]

Hi everyone,

I am kind of new here: 33 years old, diagnosed with primary SS last year through a very difficult and slow process. Pretty unhappy with the rheumatologist i have, but there are not a lot of options around. After being dismissed by him several times when i was having problems i am trying to avoid calling to his office as much as i can (last year i was having "paresthesias" and heartpalpitations and he was basically telling me i was imagining: investigations showed i was actually having vitamin b12 and iron deficiency, as a result of atrophic gastritis, which according to him after some months, is overrepresented in Sj?gren patients).

Anyway, for the last 2 days i have been having this constant pain in my left submandibular gland,which gets worse when i swallow.Both my submandibular glands are swollen (not visible, though) and extremelly painfull when i touch them. I have not had such problem before and beside the pain, it's the worry of not knowing if it's smth serious or not. I am currently on Plaquenil that i started 3 months ago, which has helped a lot with the joint pain and fatigue. (this after having begged the rheumy for months and him always citing me a 6 months study which basically said that Plaquenil didn't help...well it does in my case).

My question is, if any of you have had such constant pain, and what could it be and what does it help? I was thinking that it could be a stone because the pain is only in the left gland, or inflammation which has gotten worse? My sj?gren always gets worse before my perios, which is the case now. What would you do? (and yes, i am aware this is not  medical site and not looking for professional advice)

Thanks,

[Joe S.]

Welcome to the forum. I say this with mixed feelings as I do not wish that others experience this disease. Your GP doctor should be able to help you wiyh this. You may have an infection or a stone that is giving you trouble. It is best you see your general practice or family doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

[cccourt1942]

Yes yes. Likely to be infection requiring an antibiotic. Had this two weeks ago--now on a trip but brought an emergency supply of my preferred antibiotic just in case.  A GP or PCP or ENT can help you.  Not the rheumie. I know your pain.  Good luck, sjoldier c3

[alezna]

Thanks for the replies.

Have some question though:
1. Have you had an infection without any feber or some other ?nfection`signs`?
2. Which antibiotic were you using?
3. Have never had such a problem before and smth tells me this is not a good. Do you get repeated such infections?
4. Does Prednisone help with such (if it were not to be an infection, but an inflammation)? So scared of Prednisone...would do anything to skip it.

All the best