Anyone have tender glands under jaw

Ro10
Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Last night I started with tenderness on the left side of my face under my jaw between my ear and chin. I talked to the radiation onocologist today, and he said it was my salivary gland and not lymph nodes. He did an neck exam and did not feel anything abnormal, so that is good. I can't feel any swelling, just tenderness. He said there was not really anything to do for it, and not to be concerned about it. Anyone else have this problem?
I got "fitted" for my internal radiation cylinder today also. Last week I got to try on my special "briefs" that I will wear in the hospital. I will be glad when the internal radiation is over with. Only 3 more external radiation treatments to go. My nausea was better today, so I hope that continues. Had to take some immodium again today though.

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #2
    No experience with your problem, but looked it up
    Hi, Ro! I have no experience with tender glands, but I did look it up and found this suggested way of dealing with it that I thought might be helpful to you, although, of course, follow the advice of your doctor before this unvarified advice:

    (source: http://www.doctorhoffman.com/wwgland.htm)

    1. Stay well-hydrated (the current recommendation– for all of us– is a whopping 10 eight ounce glasses per day of nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated beverages).
    2. Chew a sour sugar-free gum once or twice between meals to stimulate a persistent flow of saliva from the gland.
    3. Firmly massage the gland frequently throughout the day. This will also promote a persistent flow of saliva.
    4. When the gland is swollen and tender, apply warm compresses.

    Congratulations on closing in on the end of your external radiation! I wanted to ask about your experience with Immodium. Does it constipate you? I am disappointed in my body that I started having diarrhea after only 7 external radiation treatments, and now I have only 10 done and 18 more to go. My bowels are not so bad that I am afraid to leave the house, but every time I eat anything I have to make a trip to the bathroom. I took an Immodium for the first time Monday morning before going for my radiation treatment, and a second Immodium after I ate lunch that day when my bowels were still gross. 2 Immodiums were enough to make me not go at ALL on Tuesday. Today the Immodium wore off and I have diarrhea again. Is there a trick to dosing yourself so it just makes you 'normal' instead of swinging you all the way the other way? Do you ever cut the pills in half? I want to get a workable plan because I have a long way to go. I've dropped 6 pounds since radiation started. A part of me is thrilled to lose some of the 15 'chemo pounds' that I put on, but this isn't the way I want to lose weight. I feel a little nauseous, but not ever enough to stop me from eating, so I know most of the weight loss is just dehydration.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #3
    lindaprocopio said:

    No experience with your problem, but looked it up
    Hi, Ro! I have no experience with tender glands, but I did look it up and found this suggested way of dealing with it that I thought might be helpful to you, although, of course, follow the advice of your doctor before this unvarified advice:

    (source: http://www.doctorhoffman.com/wwgland.htm)

    1. Stay well-hydrated (the current recommendation– for all of us– is a whopping 10 eight ounce glasses per day of nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated beverages).
    2. Chew a sour sugar-free gum once or twice between meals to stimulate a persistent flow of saliva from the gland.
    3. Firmly massage the gland frequently throughout the day. This will also promote a persistent flow of saliva.
    4. When the gland is swollen and tender, apply warm compresses.

    Congratulations on closing in on the end of your external radiation! I wanted to ask about your experience with Immodium. Does it constipate you? I am disappointed in my body that I started having diarrhea after only 7 external radiation treatments, and now I have only 10 done and 18 more to go. My bowels are not so bad that I am afraid to leave the house, but every time I eat anything I have to make a trip to the bathroom. I took an Immodium for the first time Monday morning before going for my radiation treatment, and a second Immodium after I ate lunch that day when my bowels were still gross. 2 Immodiums were enough to make me not go at ALL on Tuesday. Today the Immodium wore off and I have diarrhea again. Is there a trick to dosing yourself so it just makes you 'normal' instead of swinging you all the way the other way? Do you ever cut the pills in half? I want to get a workable plan because I have a long way to go. I've dropped 6 pounds since radiation started. A part of me is thrilled to lose some of the 15 'chemo pounds' that I put on, but this isn't the way I want to lose weight. I feel a little nauseous, but not ever enough to stop me from eating, so I know most of the weight loss is just dehydration.

    Thanks for the info Linda
    I looked up information, too. I appreciate your efforts.

    I have not been drinking as much fluids since I have been nauseated. I still drink about about 1500 cc (6 - 8ounce glasses) before I go for my radiation treatment. But then since I am nausated I don't drink as much in the afternoon. Maybe that is why I am having a problem. I don't feel like I have a dry mouth or anything. At first I thought I was nauseated from drinking so much water before my treatment. I switched to gatorade and that helped the nausea. I still drink my cranberry juice in the morning to help reduce the bladder inflammation(someone posted that earlier).

    Sorry to hear that you had the diarrhea start after only 7 treatments. I know I expected to have diarrhea with the treatments. I have not had much diarrhea so have not really taken many immodium. I have only needed it four days total. I did have to take two of them on Sunday, and then did not have a bowel movement on Monday or Tuesday. But today I made up for it and had to take two more Immodium.

    I would think you could take a half a pill instead of a whole one and see if you can get your bowels regulated. I have not had any trouble with constipation even after chemo. I was hoping I would lose some weight with radiation. I had heard it was common to lose 2 pounds a week with the radiation treatments. No such luck for me. I have not lost anything.

    I always thought cancer patients needed to eat more to keep from losing weight. Maybe that means the cancer is gone since I have not lost any weight. I can hope anyway.

    Hope you next days of radiation go better for you. Just remember to carry you immodium with you, as when you need it, you need it quickly. HUGS to you.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #4
    Allergies?
    Perhaps the soreness is caused by all the pollen in the air right now. I keep feeling like I am getting a cold with the scratchy throat etc., but it never takes hold. I have decided it is just allergies. It is good that you had the doctor check it out, I am sure he is right that it is nothing to worry about. I have a lot of tenderness in my neck, behind my ears and my chin for several days after a chemo treatment. It is almost as if the skin and fatty tissue are sore.
    You are almost there with your radiation. I will be praying that the internal treatment is a breeze and that your nausea will subside. Take care, almost over another hurdle!
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #5
    deanna14 said:

    Allergies?
    Perhaps the soreness is caused by all the pollen in the air right now. I keep feeling like I am getting a cold with the scratchy throat etc., but it never takes hold. I have decided it is just allergies. It is good that you had the doctor check it out, I am sure he is right that it is nothing to worry about. I have a lot of tenderness in my neck, behind my ears and my chin for several days after a chemo treatment. It is almost as if the skin and fatty tissue are sore.
    You are almost there with your radiation. I will be praying that the internal treatment is a breeze and that your nausea will subside. Take care, almost over another hurdle!

    I don't think it is allergies
    You are right that there is so much pollen in the air, but I don't think it is allergies. No sore throat or scratchy throat. I have been following Linda's advice and increased my fluids. I can do it today as my nausea is better today. I have used warm packs several times today, and chewed gum between meals. I did the massage, but it is pretty tender yet. I think it looks a little more swollen today. If the swelling is worse tomorrow, I will ask to see the doctor again. I even though about calling my dentist for advice. Thank you for your input. I hope your tenderness gets better.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #7
    Ro10 said:

    I don't think it is allergies
    You are right that there is so much pollen in the air, but I don't think it is allergies. No sore throat or scratchy throat. I have been following Linda's advice and increased my fluids. I can do it today as my nausea is better today. I have used warm packs several times today, and chewed gum between meals. I did the massage, but it is pretty tender yet. I think it looks a little more swollen today. If the swelling is worse tomorrow, I will ask to see the doctor again. I even though about calling my dentist for advice. Thank you for your input. I hope your tenderness gets better.

    To Ro10-swollen glands
    I found some old posts about swollen glands.

    I have a sensitive tooth that I have ground down close to nerve so I went to dentist, he
    did not think tooth s infected but was not positive-didn't see infection on xray.
    He said to cure pain would need root canal and would refer to an endodontist. He said could put ambosol and sensitive toothpaste on it for pain.

    I saw my surgeon/oncologist yesterday because I had to go in for the bloodwork labs and begged him to squeeze me in to see me on this matter. He said actually both sides are swollen, he thinks one section might be the tooth, and gave me penicillin to take but also said the saliva glands are swollen on both sides. Told me to have sour items to help it. As far as the tooth thing, he prefers I do not have dental work until radiation -I have 3rd chemo this coming Friday and then do radiation and then 3 more chemos.

    I am really worried because the swelling looks worse to me today altho' it is not quite as painful-altho' I know if you have an absessed tooth the more infected it gets the less it hurts. And I didn't really know what he meant but I do notice the bottom of my face does look shaped different so I guess other side is swollen too, altho' there is more swelling on side by tooth.

    What else did you find out on this matter of swollen glands?

    Thanks so much.
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #8
    hopeful girl 1 said:

    To Ro10-swollen glands
    I found some old posts about swollen glands.

    I have a sensitive tooth that I have ground down close to nerve so I went to dentist, he
    did not think tooth s infected but was not positive-didn't see infection on xray.
    He said to cure pain would need root canal and would refer to an endodontist. He said could put ambosol and sensitive toothpaste on it for pain.

    I saw my surgeon/oncologist yesterday because I had to go in for the bloodwork labs and begged him to squeeze me in to see me on this matter. He said actually both sides are swollen, he thinks one section might be the tooth, and gave me penicillin to take but also said the saliva glands are swollen on both sides. Told me to have sour items to help it. As far as the tooth thing, he prefers I do not have dental work until radiation -I have 3rd chemo this coming Friday and then do radiation and then 3 more chemos.

    I am really worried because the swelling looks worse to me today altho' it is not quite as painful-altho' I know if you have an absessed tooth the more infected it gets the less it hurts. And I didn't really know what he meant but I do notice the bottom of my face does look shaped different so I guess other side is swollen too, altho' there is more swelling on side by tooth.

    What else did you find out on this matter of swollen glands?

    Thanks so much.

    Hello Ro:
    I did get that
    Hello Ro:

    I did get that frequently. Mine was caused by me whenever I am nervous or stressed or I am doing intricate work that I clench my teeth together. Sometimes you don't even know you are doing it. Is your tenderness located near the underside of your jaw right below the ear? Around the round jaw bone/joint? I get tenderness there and in that little divit. It is like a TMJ. I had my chiropractor fix it when it was really hurting the last time.

    Kathy
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #9
    Kaleena said:

    Hello Ro:
    I did get that
    Hello Ro:

    I did get that frequently. Mine was caused by me whenever I am nervous or stressed or I am doing intricate work that I clench my teeth together. Sometimes you don't even know you are doing it. Is your tenderness located near the underside of your jaw right below the ear? Around the round jaw bone/joint? I get tenderness there and in that little divit. It is like a TMJ. I had my chiropractor fix it when it was really hurting the last time.

    Kathy

    Kaleena
    Kaleena,
    DId you get any swelling or just tenderness?
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #10
    hopeful girl 1 said:

    Kaleena
    Kaleena,
    DId you get any swelling or just tenderness?

    Mostly just tenderness. It
    Mostly just tenderness. It did get a little puffy after I kept touching it.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #11
    hopeful girl 1 said:

    To Ro10-swollen glands
    I found some old posts about swollen glands.

    I have a sensitive tooth that I have ground down close to nerve so I went to dentist, he
    did not think tooth s infected but was not positive-didn't see infection on xray.
    He said to cure pain would need root canal and would refer to an endodontist. He said could put ambosol and sensitive toothpaste on it for pain.

    I saw my surgeon/oncologist yesterday because I had to go in for the bloodwork labs and begged him to squeeze me in to see me on this matter. He said actually both sides are swollen, he thinks one section might be the tooth, and gave me penicillin to take but also said the saliva glands are swollen on both sides. Told me to have sour items to help it. As far as the tooth thing, he prefers I do not have dental work until radiation -I have 3rd chemo this coming Friday and then do radiation and then 3 more chemos.

    I am really worried because the swelling looks worse to me today altho' it is not quite as painful-altho' I know if you have an absessed tooth the more infected it gets the less it hurts. And I didn't really know what he meant but I do notice the bottom of my face does look shaped different so I guess other side is swollen too, altho' there is more swelling on side by tooth.

    What else did you find out on this matter of swollen glands?

    Thanks so much.

    My swollen glands only lasted about a week
    IDid you read Linda's post of suggestions to do for the swollen glands? I did drink more water and used lemon drops to help the glands produce more saliva. I did also do the massage and warm packs. All those things did help me.

    I would think waiting if you can to have the tooth treated until your 3rd chemo is finished. My radiation onocologist told me there was no problem with going to the dentist while I had radiation, but I waited until all of my chemo was finished. But I never had any problems with my teeth.

    Hope you feel better soon. In peace and caring.
  • gypsy19522
    gypsy19522 Member Posts: 3
    #12
    swollen glands
    I had swollen saliva glands...looked like a chip monk...I was dehydrated.. needed med for in infection..all cleared up but taste buds gone. hopefully will come back some time. good luck

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