Face (cheeks) swell

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Purplemountain
Purplemountain Member Posts: 119
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi everyone.

I had NPC and currently one month out of treatment.  I've gained my appetite but no taste.  I've been eating more than before my diganosis and I don't feel full.  However, I noticed that my cheek areas are a bit swollen.  Is this a normal healing process for the salivary glands?  Before I had to spit constantly with thick saliva but now I don't have to.  The saliva seems to be thinning up and I am able to swallow it.  Maybe be I've been eating more so the face became fat...but my body is still thin but better than during treatments.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

PM

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  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #2
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    I have

    random swelling in my cheek/jaw area.  My lower left mandible was removed and for no reason, I will swell up during the day time to time and it affects my speech and makes me drool a little.  All of my doctors have told me that is not unusual at all.  Freaked me out the first time, though!

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
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    Winter Time...

    Are you sure it's not induced from the area you live...?

    I mean if up north, maybe it's like storing food for the winter...

    OK, OK..., I'm sorry.... My Abi-Normal sense of humor got the best of me...

    Other than having it checked out by your MD's, more than likely, it's not un-common... I had many various aches, pains, swellings, sore spots, this that and the other with no rhyme or reason for a while post Tx...

    Best,

    John

     

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #4
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    Hello PM !

    I'm 2 yrs. out from tx's and surgery and still have issues with this.  I'm told it's lymphedema and nerve damage.  Sometimes it takes awhile for things to resolve.  You could check into PT if it becomes a major issue.  Also there are excersises you can do to get that lymph system draining better.  Katie

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #5
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    katenorwood said:

    Hello PM !

    I'm 2 yrs. out from tx's and surgery and still have issues with this.  I'm told it's lymphedema and nerve damage.  Sometimes it takes awhile for things to resolve.  You could check into PT if it becomes a major issue.  Also there are excersises you can do to get that lymph system draining better.  Katie

    Mine are thicker

    You are just out of treatment so swelling is still occuring and things will calm down. That said, my cheeks are fatter than they were previously, to the point where I constantly bite interior portions of my cheeks causing little blood blisters. I'm fours years past you. Take a look in there with a flashlight and you will notice that they now are right up against your teeth. Learn to chew slowwwwww as the bites can hurt . 

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
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    ratface said:

    Mine are thicker

    You are just out of treatment so swelling is still occuring and things will calm down. That said, my cheeks are fatter than they were previously, to the point where I constantly bite interior portions of my cheeks causing little blood blisters. I'm fours years past you. Take a look in there with a flashlight and you will notice that they now are right up against your teeth. Learn to chew slowwwwww as the bites can hurt . 

    Splinter...

    Good reminder....

    Now that you mention it, I do remember biting the insides of my cheeks a lot that first few months post rads.... hmmmmm.

    Must not be as cold here in Florida this winter...

    JG

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #7
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Winter Time...

    Are you sure it's not induced from the area you live...?

    I mean if up north, maybe it's like storing food for the winter...

    OK, OK..., I'm sorry.... My Abi-Normal sense of humor got the best of me...

    Other than having it checked out by your MD's, more than likely, it's not un-common... I had many various aches, pains, swellings, sore spots, this that and the other with no rhyme or reason for a while post Tx...

    Best,

    John

     

    Darn you.

    You made me spit on my just cleaned monitor.

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