swollen/painful salivary glands

January 1, 2002

Carol and all who have had salivary gland problems

I can relate to you. 1year after my RAI treatment and 6 months after my RAI

scan I began having problems with my salivary gland . They feel like I have

pressure in the side of my face and ear and when I eat it feels like the gland

fills up and hurts. I've gotten some good advice from this group 1. massage the

side of your face while swishing with warm liquid

(you may taste a bitter/salty taste and then you know the stale saliva is out

and the pain should subside for awhile)

2. brush your teeth after meals to avoid tooth decay from lack of saliva

I'm going to the ENT thursday for the second time. He first time he put me on

antibiotics which I found out from this group is not necessary unless you have a

elevated WBC count and temperature. I hope with all the information I have

received here I can help the Dr. understand what is happening with me. I

understand there is some kind of surgical procedure to open the salivary ducts,

but I'd rather suffer with the discomfort personally.

It seems strange that these symptoms would happen to me after 6 months to a year

later, but it seems common from this group, but the doctors don't think it's

related to the RAI. But you can get permanent salivary gland damage from RAI.

I'll keep you posted on what the Dr. says thursday.

Phoenix, AZ

TT 8/00 with lymph mets

RAI 9/00

negative scan 3/01

synthroid .15mg

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