REPOST: Dr. Ain: Re: salivary glands

[Guest guest]

>At 8/15/01 11:24 AM, you wrote:

>>Hi folks! I'm a little worried and wanted to get your advice...

>>

>>I found a strange lump in my right salivary gland last night, and I'm a

>>little nervous... My TT was in March of this year. During the RAI this May,

>>my salivary glands puffed up and I lost my taste for a month or so, but then

>>things were back to normal by June.

>>, 25, Wash, DC

>

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>

>(Dr. Ain)

>

>Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 08:36:50 -0500

>

>Subject: Re: Salivary glands

>

>>>Just chiming in with everyone else....my salivary glands didn't swell up &

>>>become tender until 4-6 months post-RAI (my 2nd ablative dose....didn't

happen

>>>after the 1st one). The swelling usually occurred immediately upon eating

and

>>>one side of my face would swell to the point I looked like someone cracked me

>>>in the jaw with a baseball bat. Very painful! It continued for weeks

>>>(months?) and finally went disappeared.

>>>

>>>It seems our Drs. usually say it isn't connected to RAI after such a long

>>>period, but we've seen similar situations posted many times on the thyca list

>>>over the years. Coincidence? I think not!

>>>

>>>Marilyn (dx '94-pap w/lung metastases - 5 pos scans/435mCi's - scans 6 & 7

>>>clean)

>>

>>>I had problems with my salivary glands starting about three months after RAI.

My endo said it wasn't related to treatment, but I know from this group that

this is fairly common. I did know to use sour candy during the treatment, but it

didn't help. My glands are still tender and somewhat swollen two years later,

but it isn't as bad as it used to be. Good luck--I hope you won't have any more

infections.

>>>

>>>TB

>>

>>> Has anyone ever had any after-affects to their salivary glands?

>>> One of mine got infected 3 months after RAI. The Dr.'s do not associate it

>>> feel like I got punched in my right jaw (Again, this was 3 mos. later after

>>> RAI) I was put on an antibiotic.

>>>

>>> tt 1974, 1999 RAI- 2 x so far

>

>Dear ThyCa Members:

>

>One of the potential nuisances (as opposed to dangers) of radioiodine therapy

is permanent damage to the salivary glands. This may result in diminished flow

rates of saliva. There are a few medical consequences and solutions:

>1) Decreased saliva may make eating certain foods difficult. This can be

helped by using frequent small sips of water while eating.

>2) Decreased salivary flow produces increased risk of tooth decay because

saliva is critical to wash food particles off of teeth after eating. I advise

patients to carry a small travel toothbrush kit in their pocket or purse. They

should brush their teeth after EVERY meal. Sometimes this produces an added

benefit by reducing between meal snacking.

>3) Decreased salivary flow predisposes to " salivary stones. " This refers to

the swelling of one or more salivary glands (located under the ears and under

the lower jaw) due to partial blockage of the corresponding salivary duct by

dried saliva. This can be startling and worrisome if not recognized for what it

is. I do not advocate immediate use of antibiotics unless there is fever and

elevated white blood cell counts. Instead, this problem usually responds to

swishing warm water (or tea, coffee, broth, etc) in the mouth while gently

massaging the swollen salivary gland. Usually, there is a sudden sour taste as

the stale saliva is released and the swelling goes away. If this does not work

or if rapidly and frequently recurrent, then it is important to go to your

physician. Usually this problem happens periodically and is then quiescent for

a long time.

>

>

>**************PLEASE BE ADVISED*********************

>THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS INTENDED

>FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED, NOR SHOULD

>IT BE CONSTRUED, AS SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE OR DIRECTIONS. ANY

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>PHYSICIAN(S) ABOUT ANY MATTER REGARDING THEIR MEDICAL CARE.

>************************************************

> B. Ain, M.D.

>Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

>Director, Thyroid Nodule & Oncology Clinical Service

>Director, Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory

>Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine

>Department of Internal Medicine, Room MN524

>University of Kentucky Medical Center

>800 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298

>

>

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