Painful Salivary Glands

I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in Feb. '07.  Had TT on Valentine's Day, RAI (used thyrogen injections - so easy), 178 mc.in May.  Had my first 3-month check-up last of August - every clean.  No traces of cancer anywhere.

 My problem is my salivary glands.  Within the last month, (since the check-up), my left salivary gland is very painful when I eat, especially breakfast and lunch - not so much dinner (makes no sense to me).  This past week, my right side now is painful. 

Anyone else have this problem?  If so, what have you done about it?  How painful is the treatment?  I see my oncologist about this on Monday.

Research I've done on this indicates it's due to scar tissue narrowing the ducts for the saliva trying to get through to the mouth when eating.

 Any info is really appreciated!

Chris

I posted on 8/30 about cheek swelling.  I had a 2nd massive RAI dose in April and in August my right salivary gland became very enlarged and painful before lunch. I was very alarmed and called my endo, but she said this is a normal side effect of the radioactive iodine expelling from the body.  It reoccured at meal times (salivating). But over time it gradually diminished. And then my left side started up, although not as painful.  It has mostly stopped now, although I have some episodes on both sides. Overall, it went from painful, to sore, to tender and now just aggravating.

Thank you so much for replying.  You give me hope.  I'll see what my doc says on Monday - I'll let you know what he says.

Chris

 

I also had my TT in 2/07 and had 173micu of RAI.  Just this past month I had pain and swelling in first the rt. and then the left glands.  I read that you should gently massage your parotid and submaxillary glands.  I did that everyday and felt the warm, salty saliva start flowing.  It went down and the pain was relieved.  Ask your Dr. when you go this coming week. Lois 

Thanks, Lois, for your reply.  I do massage them, and it does help.  Have you consulted with your doc?  If so, what did he/she say?

I forgot to mention in my original message that last week, I had cheek pain due to something swollen in there, it went away, and now this week I have the same thing on the other side!  At first, I thought it was a pimple forming, that's the kind of pain it is, but that's not what it is.  This all is driving me nuts!

I'll let you know what my doc recommends.

Chris

I too have a salty fluid taste from these swollen salivary glands. My left side hardened up today at lunch, but now is fine.

I had RAI 11/06, and around 4/07 i had terrible pain in my salivary glands (cheeks and behind/below the ears). i also had a salty dicharge that i could taste, especially when i massaged my cheeks. it lasted for several weeks but eventually went away. i still have a little bit of tenderness, but it is nothing like it first was. i did see an ENT who told me that it is a direct result of my RAI. unfortunately i have to have another treatment in the beginning of 08, so i am worried that it will get even worse. i hope yours is getting better. use warm compresses on your glands and massage them. also, the dr. recommended eating sour foods - anything that gets your glands going. i bought a huge bag of sour patch kids...it was painful to eat them but eventually it got better.

forgot to mention that it started on the right side, then a week later was on the left side, then both. eventually the pain subsided so don't give up hope.

hi there,

i had rai back in september of 2007, and in february 2008 i began experiencing the salivary gland issues.  i did have an immediate reaction to the treatment, but it went away after a few days.  the symptoms began flaring up again... it began in my right gland, and a week later spread to my left.  it was painful at first, but now i just occasionally feel pressure and stiffness below my ears and around the jaw area.  does anyone know if this eventually goes away, or will this be a permanent condition that i will be forced to live with?  another question is why did it take FIVE MONTHS to occur?  the salty taste is horrible.

thanks! 

 

 

 

Hi There!  I just found this website.  I too have undergone RAI after total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma.  I have had a couple of RAI treatments and have noticed that a few months after each treatment, my salivary glands get "stopped" up.  For me, it hits one side of my face and then the next making it's way through the different glands in my mouth. My last treatment was in February 2008 and my painful gland didn't start until yesterday....My endo tells me to massage it and eat sour candies.  It hurts to eat the candies but it gets your mouth producing saliva.  What my doc told me the reason it gets that way when you're eating or about to eat is that your mouth is getting ready for the digestive process and saliva is part of the process.  Apparentally something is stopping up the little tube that allows the saliva to be excreted so the saliva that you have produced to eat stays in the gland and isn't let free, so it get's really hard and painful.  It eventually does go away but just takes some time.  Good Luck!