help with possible blocked salivary gland, painful!

[trc1962]

Hi, had an upper endoscopy today due to upper abdominal pain and to check my esophagus. After the procedure I felt ok and a friend took me home. After fasting since last night I was super hungry, but when I took a bite of my pasta it hurt under my jaw so much I dropped my fork in pain. It felt like I did when I had the mumps as a kid but a 100 times worse. My neck under my jaw on my left side is swollen and tender to the touch. When food or drink touches my tongue or mouth pain shoots to what I think is a submandibular salivary gland and perhaps the pain is because it is blocked and can't release saliva. I called the on call service and the doctor who did the procedure called and said it was probably a bruise use ice, but it is not a bruise. I am sure someone on here has perhaps dealt with a salivary gland issue. I can drink water, but am super hungry! Thank you.

[Linda196]

I'm sorry you are in such a painful situation, but there are "home remedies" available. Warm compresses can help increase saliva flow, and sucking on sour candies, or sipping lemon water might help, too. I'm attaching the Sjogren's Foundation instructions for gland massage. I hope some of these help quickly. If not, I'm afraid your next step is a doctor or dentist.

https://sjogrens.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Salivary%20Glands%20Massage%20Patient%20Education%20Sheet.pdf

[trc1962]

Thanks for your reply with the good information. I went to the ER as I continued to swell and bruise and I was concerned. The dr at ER was worried I had sustained a nick or perforation from the endoscopy and they kept me for quite awhile. Happily a CT showed just angry parotid glands, no perforation. I started the warm compresses when I returned home this morning and I can eat and drink without bad pain now and hopefully the swelling improves soon. The prep makes people dehydrated and that doesn't help I suppose.

[sixty]

I had a similar experience not too long ago.  Gently massaging it helped me quite a bit.  The glands get clogged and that's about all you can do if you don't have a doctor or dentist available.