Back with a vengence-swollen cheeks!

[rae420]

Thanks daisy. I am going to see what doctor can see me tomorrow. Its all so confusing. I thought it wasn't an infection since both sides are swollen and I don't have any fever. Hopefully I can get in to a doctor soon. Meanwhile, I am finding relief with heat and ear drops.  What treatment does your ENT give you for parotid gland issues?

[Daisy1234]

If its truly a parotid gland infection, my ENT will get me in the day I call and he cycles me thru 3 different types antibiotics so I don't develop resistance to one particular type.  He has taught me massage techniques to minimize the number of infections, has put me on philocarpine lozenges to increase saliva production in addition to salagen (we don't have access to Evoxac in Canada), has taught me to recognize the difference between parotid inflammation vs bacterial infection and has given me some home treatment techniques for both to reduce the pain and discomfort.  He also takes excellent care of any sinus issues, throat issues I may have and also keeps a close eye on my lymph glands for any possibility of lymphoma. 

My suggestion is to get yourself a good ENT if you are able, because even if you're not able to get one right away, this issue or something related will likely come up again in future.

Daisy

[rae420]

Sounds like you have an awesome doctor. Its such a shame that the quality of our lives is so dependent upon whether we match up with a good doctor or not. and who has time or money to shop around. I am so grateful for sites like this and the good people who participate because it is so important to be educated when you see the doctor so you can ask the right questions.

[Daisy1234]

Rae, you are so right when you say that.  What I didn't mention but should is that this ENT is probably the 4th one that I've seen but is the only one that I've hung on to (with both hands lol).  I actually met him when I was hospitalized for a parotid gland infection gone really bad and my treating physician called him in for a consult.  I recognized right away that this ENT knew what he was doing (I had already been in the hospital a week up to that point with this infection and no one seemed to be able to get it under control before he was called in).  He got my infection going in the right direction within 24hrs and about 4 days later the gland had completely returned to normal size and I was discharged the day after that.  When this ENT came back to check on me in the hospital before I was discharged I asked him if he would be willing to take me on as a patient and he said he would.  Can you imagine?  I've never heard of a specialist taking someone on without a referral before.  He's been taking care of me for about 6 years now and is just terrific.

Hope you find someone like that to care for your issues too!

Daisy

[rae420]

Need a moment to vent!! Just got back from a very frustrating visit to the rheumy. She didn't think the swollen glands and ear problems were related to my AI issues and told me to find a different ENT.  Her rationale was that if I am on prednisone and still have the swelling, it must be for some other reason. I agree with finding a new ENT, the other one was useless and dismissed me as a complainer, but I am blown away as to how my rheumy treated me. She was so good in the past, but this time she said my blood work was all negative so there really wasn't anything for her to treat. Meanwhile, I get to be miserable while waiting to get into another doctor and start all over. I hate being at the mercy of a doctor. So, I will rely on OTC remedies to keep me with some existence of life until the 1st week of October when the new ENT can see me. Couldn't get in any sooner. So frustrating......... Thanks for listening.

[Pegasus47]

I love Peppermint tea.  Soothing to the stomach and relaxing

Actually, the essential oils of peppermint is anti-bacterial. 

Pegasus