Salivary Calculus
Discussion
a.k.a. Sialolithiasis
There I was, minding my own beeswax when I felt a certain discomfort of the face. Look in the mirror...why have I turned into a hamster on the left side?
Did a bit of web research and came up with inflammation of the parotid gland. Called? Yes, you guessed it, parotitis.
Still more lumpy-cheeked on the following day so called the quack - no appointments, training day was on. So, call back from the duty doc. "If it hasn't settled by tomorrow, go see primary care." Fair enough.
The next evening, visit to hosp - I left my wheel at home, in bed on the wood shavings, by the tiny see-saw.
Primary care doc had a look and diagnosed that a stone was blocking my nearside upper salivary duct, thus upsetting that parotid gland.
Doc got to work with a lolly stick, attempting to 'milk' the gland and persuade the stone out. No joy. X-ray of cheek area? No stone to be seen.
No need for painkillers, the discomfort is only mild. However, the swelling-up isn't. Every time I eat it's hamster time. I've an appointment with the first duty doc on Mon PM. On the lemon sweeties at the moment, to try and pump the thing out. If not, it's liable to be a procedure or even an op.
Ah, the joys of middle age.
There I was, minding my own beeswax when I felt a certain discomfort of the face. Look in the mirror...why have I turned into a hamster on the left side?
Did a bit of web research and came up with inflammation of the parotid gland. Called? Yes, you guessed it, parotitis.
Still more lumpy-cheeked on the following day so called the quack - no appointments, training day was on. So, call back from the duty doc. "If it hasn't settled by tomorrow, go see primary care." Fair enough.
The next evening, visit to hosp - I left my wheel at home, in bed on the wood shavings, by the tiny see-saw.
Primary care doc had a look and diagnosed that a stone was blocking my nearside upper salivary duct, thus upsetting that parotid gland.
Doc got to work with a lolly stick, attempting to 'milk' the gland and persuade the stone out. No joy. X-ray of cheek area? No stone to be seen.
No need for painkillers, the discomfort is only mild. However, the swelling-up isn't. Every time I eat it's hamster time. I've an appointment with the first duty doc on Mon PM. On the lemon sweeties at the moment, to try and pump the thing out. If not, it's liable to be a procedure or even an op.
Ah, the joys of middle age.
I feel your pain!
I have had no end of issues with my right hand side salivary glands.
2 operations to remove the stones that are clearly seen on ultrasound and MRI but couldn't find them so they finally whipped my right submandibular gland out.... All good for about 3 years then all hell broke loose when we were at the Olympic park. I nearly fainted the pain was so bad. This lasted for weeks!
Since then. Yes nearly 2 years, I've been back and forth trying to get it sorted. The latest from the consultant after much chasing appointments and results is that the original stones are causing a problem again and the floor of my mouth is now so damaged from the 3 ops they can't confidently do anything without major risk of damaging nerves. This means I basically have to put up with a constant worry if getting a major infection again and have the feeling of something constantly in the back of my throat.
The operation to take the gland wasn't done properly as they left to much of it and tissue its started producing saliva again (apparently).
That reminds me I need to chase the hospital to see what the last ultrasound found. The guy scanning said he could see no stones at all. Ffs.
I have had no end of issues with my right hand side salivary glands.
2 operations to remove the stones that are clearly seen on ultrasound and MRI but couldn't find them so they finally whipped my right submandibular gland out.... All good for about 3 years then all hell broke loose when we were at the Olympic park. I nearly fainted the pain was so bad. This lasted for weeks!
Since then. Yes nearly 2 years, I've been back and forth trying to get it sorted. The latest from the consultant after much chasing appointments and results is that the original stones are causing a problem again and the floor of my mouth is now so damaged from the 3 ops they can't confidently do anything without major risk of damaging nerves. This means I basically have to put up with a constant worry if getting a major infection again and have the feeling of something constantly in the back of my throat.
The operation to take the gland wasn't done properly as they left to much of it and tissue its started producing saliva again (apparently).
That reminds me I need to chase the hospital to see what the last ultrasound found. The guy scanning said he could see no stones at all. Ffs.
This shows I've been a lucky bunny!
Working overnight and scoffing sugar-free lemon sweeties worked. By 5am I could feel
a sore.spot inside my left cheek. By 6, it was more painful and I could trace the duct with my tongue.
One quick finger swipe on the outside and...sharp pain. bingo. It was out, followed
by the taste of old pennies.
It's only a tiny concretion, about 1mm diameter and 2mm long...diamond hard though. Just a slightly tender gland and occasional nasty taste now.
So thanks, people and Centurion07...OUCH!!!
Working overnight and scoffing sugar-free lemon sweeties worked. By 5am I could feel
a sore.spot inside my left cheek. By 6, it was more painful and I could trace the duct with my tongue.
One quick finger swipe on the outside and...sharp pain. bingo. It was out, followed
by the taste of old pennies.
It's only a tiny concretion, about 1mm diameter and 2mm long...diamond hard though. Just a slightly tender gland and occasional nasty taste now.
So thanks, people and Centurion07...OUCH!!!
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