Sore face today, help!

[Sadrian]

Hi there:

I think I am starting to have my first parotid gland swelling.  The right side of my face is sore.  It is annoying the heck out of me while I am at work and am having a horrible time concentrating.  My doctor will not call me back.  Any pointers for me on how to relieve this?  I am still new to sjogren's and the doctor never explained this one to me.  What do I do?

I'm sure there are postings on here... but I feel bad scrolling on the board while other people are snooping up behind me at the office:-(  I was hoping some people can give me quick insight.

Thanks so much!
Sadrian

[Victoria05202000]

On your lunch break go get the following;

sugar free lemon drops
washcloth or small heating pad
and whatever pain meds you can take whether it is over the counter or prescription.

Suck on the candy and massage the area that hurts. Apply a warm washcloth or heating pad to that area between the candy and massage. (at the office a hot washcloth would do the trick).

I get this often and if I catch it in time...it normally goes away in less than 24-48 hours. 

I would still get a doctor to look at it if possible. Hope you feel better soon!

Vicky

[Scottietottie]

Hi sadrian 

My advice would be the same as above. Soothing heat and gentle massage. Hope you feel better soon.

Take care - Scottie 

[Sadrian]

Thank you!  I will do that!  (I wasn't sure if I should use heat or cold.)

This may be a dumb question too... Does Salagen put too much strain on the glands and make them worse?  I'm new to salagan too and the doctor didn't explain that to me.  in some ways, I would assume that it would work the gland too hard while it is already inflamed, making it worse. But I really have no idea...  just my wacky theory.  Could it be like running on a sprained ankle?

[Scottietottie]

Hi Sadrian 

There's no such thing as a dumb question - ever!

I'm afraid I'm too dumb to answer it though!  I've never been on Salogen or Evoxac so its something I've never read up about. I'm sure you'll get a sensible anser soon!

Take care - Scottie 

[Wynter]

I don't have problems w/my parotids. I have taken Salagen and Evoxac and neither one of them made my glands swell.

[fluffiebunnie]

My first experience of swollen partoids was when all this started.. I did nothing for four weeks thinking the doctors know best and it will go down eventually on its own.. it was the worst pain I have ever had... only after searching on here was I advised by some good people to do the heat/massage etc....

I had a boiling hot bath and soaked my face.. massaged the partoid glands and as I had no lemon drops just sucked really hard!  Lots of gunk came out into my mouth and since that night the glands slowly subsided....

Now if I was told this when it first happened I would not of suffered a month... my doctors have always been... do nothing/prescribe nothing and see what happens.. sometimes we need to do something!

I only started to feel better because of the advice I got on here..

[Sadrian]

Thanks so much for everyone's quick response and advice!  Not really feeling any better, but am going to lay down now that I am home with another heated washcloth.    Wynter,  your story sounds incredible!  I had no idea.  This really happens?  " Lots of gunk came out into my mouth" ?  Wow!  How hard to you need to suck on the lemon and for how long?  WOW!!!  I have so much to learn.

[Pisces24]

I would caution you on taking lemon drops!!!

I in the past had a big partroid gland swelling just under my right ear - looked like I swallowed a tennis ball. One of the things my gp had me do was to take lemon drops.

Well about 1 month later I go into the dentist and the hygenist says "what have you done to your teeth?"    Come to find out the acid in the lemon drops will eat at the enamel on your teeth. Sucking on lemons with margaritas will do that do. Soooo now I have places on my teeth that have the enamel eaten away and I have yet to get it back.  If you do have lemon drops, for gee whiz rinse you mouth out a lot with water so the acid doesn't sit on your teeth.  I don't want anyone to have the same damage it did to my teeth.

[lcm]

agree, avoid any hard candy or cough drops etc with sugar, but youo should not have to suck too hard, it sounds to me like the person who had to suck real hard and then had drainage had an infection in the parotids which is common with SS. So if you have continued pain and swelling, you need to see a doctor.
I am on Salagen and the original prescription was for three times a day and that really seemed to make me sore and swollen in the parotids. I scaled it back to twice a day and I'm still a little sore but better, also seems to be getting better with time. So maybe check with your doc about a lower dose for a bit and increase after a while. You can always call a doc and ask a question even if relayed through office staff, and get a call back.

[eyeamdry]

Sugar-free lemon drops or other sour candy is what we need so as to not hurt our teeth.  Also I wouldn't hold the candy against the teeth. 

Oh, I have never had parotid problems and have used Salagen.
Lucy

[DesignerS]

I know what Pices is saying.  My dentist hit the roof when I told him about the lemon drops.  And it wasn't just the sugar he was concerned about.  The drops have so much acid in them that they wear away at the teeth.  I do know they help with the saliva flow.  I guess as mentioned, just rinse really good after using them.  Can't win, lol

Designer