Lump: Size of a Golf Ball!
Discussion
AFAIK, I'm free of allergies.
Last night, I was munching on a bit of grilled chicken (with chick peas and couple of veg flavoured with Harissa) when all of a sudden I felt a weird sensation under my tongue - that 'pre-vomit' feeling. Took a sip of water and carried on eating.
Within several minutes, I felt the presence of what turned out to be a lump - about the size of a ping-pong ball - lower jaw, under the tongue and visible from the outside.
I carried on.
No more than two minutes had passed when this lump grew to the size of a golf ball and very firm.
Stopped eating and eventually when to bed.
Woke up this moring and the lump is still there, but not as big. Had a wash, cup of coffee and it seemed like the problem had subsided significantly. Wifey gave me half a slice of her Marmite on toast and the lump has returned to golf ball size within (what seemed like) seconds.
Looking in the mirror I can see a lump just below my lower jaw...
Gulp.
NHS Direct suggest a visit to the doctor on Monday... But I've got a w/e ahead now looking like John Merrick.
Any ideas??
Last night, I was munching on a bit of grilled chicken (with chick peas and couple of veg flavoured with Harissa) when all of a sudden I felt a weird sensation under my tongue - that 'pre-vomit' feeling. Took a sip of water and carried on eating.
Within several minutes, I felt the presence of what turned out to be a lump - about the size of a ping-pong ball - lower jaw, under the tongue and visible from the outside.
I carried on.
No more than two minutes had passed when this lump grew to the size of a golf ball and very firm.
Stopped eating and eventually when to bed.
Woke up this moring and the lump is still there, but not as big. Had a wash, cup of coffee and it seemed like the problem had subsided significantly. Wifey gave me half a slice of her Marmite on toast and the lump has returned to golf ball size within (what seemed like) seconds.
Looking in the mirror I can see a lump just below my lower jaw...
Gulp.
NHS Direct suggest a visit to the doctor on Monday... But I've got a w/e ahead now looking like John Merrick.
Any ideas??
Edited by Glassman on Saturday 21st June 10:26
A swelling in the upper part of the front of the neck, just under the jaw, is most likely a swollen salivary gland or lymph node. If the swelling changes in size after eating or drinking and then gets smaller again later on, you are probably feeling a swollen salivary gland.
The largest salivary glands are the parotid glands that sit above the jaw line in front of the ear. There are slightly smaller salivary glands just under the jaw line, called the submandibular salivary glands.
The salivary glands provide moisture to the mouth and are stimulated by eating. The saliva travels from the gland through a thin tube (salivary duct) to the inside of the mouth. If anything slows down the ability of saliva to get out of the gland, it will swell.
Swelling of a salivary gland can have multiple causes, such as infection, inflammation related to an autoimmune disease (Sjogren's syndrome) or a blocked duct.
ETA: Copy and paste, not my own diagnosis!
When an infection is present in a salivary gland, there is usually fever and pain over the area. The gland would be quite tender if touched. These symptoms should prompt a same-day call to your doctor. Swelling without much pain can be caused a small stone that blocks the flow of saliva out of the gland.
Without an examination, you can't be sure if the swelling is in a salivary gland, lymph node or represents something else. In general, I advise a call to the doctor if swelling is not going down after one week, or sooner if it is enlarging.
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Headache, fever and stiff neck are the most common symptoms of meningitis.
The largest salivary glands are the parotid glands that sit above the jaw line in front of the ear. There are slightly smaller salivary glands just under the jaw line, called the submandibular salivary glands.
The salivary glands provide moisture to the mouth and are stimulated by eating. The saliva travels from the gland through a thin tube (salivary duct) to the inside of the mouth. If anything slows down the ability of saliva to get out of the gland, it will swell.
Swelling of a salivary gland can have multiple causes, such as infection, inflammation related to an autoimmune disease (Sjogren's syndrome) or a blocked duct.
ETA: Copy and paste, not my own diagnosis!
When an infection is present in a salivary gland, there is usually fever and pain over the area. The gland would be quite tender if touched. These symptoms should prompt a same-day call to your doctor. Swelling without much pain can be caused a small stone that blocks the flow of saliva out of the gland.
Without an examination, you can't be sure if the swelling is in a salivary gland, lymph node or represents something else. In general, I advise a call to the doctor if swelling is not going down after one week, or sooner if it is enlarging.
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Headache, fever and stiff neck are the most common symptoms of meningitis.
Edited by uriel on Saturday 21st June 10:31
toastboy said:
You could try some anti histamines if you think it's an allergic reaction but I'd be tempted to pop down A&E and get it looked at.
Do that - better off than waiting til Monday - get own there now before all the kids with saucepans on their heads and cricketers with dislocated fingers etc start filling up A&E after 1pm
Not an accident nor an emergency.
Wait until Monday or see the Out of Hours doctor, but not A&E.
It sounds typical of a blocked salivary gland and can easily wait until you can get a GP appointment. I do appreciate it may be worrying but one will get the best out of the NHS if one uses it appropriately.
Best wishes.
Wait until Monday or see the Out of Hours doctor, but not A&E.
It sounds typical of a blocked salivary gland and can easily wait until you can get a GP appointment. I do appreciate it may be worrying but one will get the best out of the NHS if one uses it appropriately.
Best wishes.
Edited by knk on Saturday 21st June 12:37
Do you have an NHS drop in service you could go to?
ETA I see you are in London - there is one in Soho. Staffed by nurses but they are pretty good and sorted me right out when I suddenly went deaf in one ear.
Address:
1 Frith Street,
London,
W1D 3HZ
Telephone:
020 7534 6500
[/footnote]
ETA I see you are in London - there is one in Soho. Staffed by nurses but they are pretty good and sorted me right out when I suddenly went deaf in one ear.
Address:
1 Frith Street,
London,
W1D 3HZ
Telephone:
020 7534 6500
[/footnote]
Edited by Maxf on Saturday 21st June 10:54
Yes A&E experts will soon tell but the speed and size of the reaction, which happens when any food is being eaten, seems consistent with the blocked salivary gland theory. Think how much goes into lubricating food, it would easily fill several golf balls during a meal. Personally I wouldn't worry too much but feel free to panic,
See a doctor perhaps, I would not complain if similar turned up in my OOH clinic.
But not A&E.
A&E is staffed by the most junior and inexperienced doctors. They deal well with accidents and emergencies, which are, in the majority, very simple to deal with, but not so well with things which need a GP's training and experience.
Best wishes,
Kam
But not A&E.
A&E is staffed by the most junior and inexperienced doctors. They deal well with accidents and emergencies, which are, in the majority, very simple to deal with, but not so well with things which need a GP's training and experience.
Best wishes,
Kam
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