Parotid gland swelling

[People1]

Anyone have issues with parotid gland swelling and pain when you eat with GCA/ PMR?

[Mstiles]

I’m wondering if the problems I’m having with my jaw since Saturday are from that. I thought TMJ, and am seeing my GP today.

How did you find out it was the parotid gland?

[People1 in reply to Mstiles]

After you have ate for a period of time, say chewed for five to eight minutes, the glands under your ear and in the crook of the jaw swell up and become tender. I am not sure if the parotid glands become inflamed or what exactly as a result of GCA. If you google parotid glands you can see specifically where they are located.

[Mstiles in reply to People1]

Thanks, not sure what is going on st this point.

I reduced pred a week ago, trying to figure out what symptom is what.

[People1 in reply to Mstiles]

Totally understand what that is like. I have not reduced yet so sure I will be writing you when I do.

[DianeA1]

I have gotten a salivary stone since I was a little kid, usually from oranges.

[Jillbowles]

I have had two parotid gland infections since being on steroids for PMR. Not sure whether there is a link.

[People1 in reply to Jillbowles]

Definitely could be. I am wondering the same. How did you treat it or did you just let it run it’s course?

[Jillbowles in reply to People1]

I needed a course of antibiotics for both of them.

[People1 in reply to Jillbowles]

Thank you for letting me know!

[Gaijin]

My dentist recently asked me if I was diagnosed with sjogren's syndrome, which attacks the salivary glands. It has a lot of symptoms that are the same as in PMR.. fatigue, muscle and joint pain. I get the pain, I thought I had the mumps! I was told by the rudest person I've ever met, an ophtalmoloist that my dry eyes were normal for my "old" age. She didn't do any tests to come to this conclusion.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaijin]

Cheeky creature - did you complain? Or is that a waste of time for you?

Normal for aging it may be - still needs keeping an eye on (if you'll excuse the pun!)

[Gaijin in reply to PMRpro]

Hahaha.. I was going to complain but then I thought, what for? She clearly has a disability and here, docs that work for the system are just government employees, and even with a clear disability for clinical practice as the one she has, she will never be fired or even reprimanded. Unfortunately, I know the system quite well, from the inside.. probably one of the main reasons OH doesn't want to ever see a white coat again is he remembers how random and chaotic the health system us here.

I have a follow up scheduled with her next Tuesday.. I haven't decided if I l'll keep the appointment,but I'm inclined now, after reading the article you posted about the different cytokins and TZB and also after what the dentist said about his suspicion of sjogrens, I'll at least maybe get to think, or even say, "I told you so, you @#&%h!

[People1 in reply to Gaijin]

Gaijin did your salivary glands eventually get better or what was the outcome? Did you do anything in particular for it?

[Gaijin in reply to People1]

The salivary glands have swelled up twice, I looked like a chipmunk. They hurt when I ate something sour, I think...shooting pains. It's a kind of flare when my eyes, mouth, throat and nostrils are none dry, too, and I have to get up to rehydrate everything several times in the night. I haven't been diagnosed yet, I guess they need to start with a blood test and then take it from there. There is a sjogrens forum on healthunlocked, nothing like this one, but it's helpful.

I think you are supposed to massage the glands to get them working better but I find it quite uncomfortable, specially as I'm not sure 100% if it's what I have.

[People1 in reply to Gaijin]

Yes also my problem exactly. You are right about massaging the glands too. It helps.

[izzyart]

I woke with seriously swollen glands across neck...tapered to 15 mg from 20 mg a few days ago but already had sore jaw and a little swelling then. Worried about GCA, I had an ultra sound and talk with a vascular surgeon who said the test was negative but it could have been because of the pred, even a biopsy would not be conclusive. Could the tapering be the cause? I feel OK, a bit of headached in morning and pain when I open my mouth wide but I look like the fat lady from the circus. Advice?

izzyart

[Gaijin in reply to izzyart]

Someone with more knowledgev(aunts and uncles) will answer you hopefully, they haven't seen your post yet when it's something as important as this, you should start your own thread, izzyart

The swollen gland sound like Sjogrens or something else besides the GCA. Also, 20 to 15 in one go is tapering too fast, I think. Anyway, if you don't get a more solid answer from the experts, it's because they haven't seen it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to izzyart]

Are you sure it isn't just the dreaded moon-face? Some people can find that very uncomfortable.

But as Gaijin says - 20 to 15 is far too much at one go. 2.5mg at a time is more than enough - at this stage, no reduction should be more than 10% of the current dose.