Blocked parotid gland - any experiences?

[moggerhanger]

My parotid salivary gland on the left side keeps blocking for some reason. Mostly it sorts itself out but at the moment it's refusing to do so. It's stupidly painful and is stopping me from eating! And I look like I have one-sided mumps (it's definitely not mumps though, I'm ancient enough to have actually caught that when I was a kid).

The GP has prescribed antibiotics as he thinks it's infected, but wants to see me again when the swelling has gone down. He is suspicious that I have a stone or something in there.

Has anyone else had this? How did it resolve?

If the duct is blocked..... Lemon sherbet sweets.
Chewing gum (not as effective).
Anything to promote salivary production.

I get salivary stones occasionally tgat make me looklike I have mumps. Chewing gum is my go to.

Sucking lemons cleared mine... but not great for your teeth. However, I have since been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome so you might want to keep an eye out for other symptoms.

I’ve had three small salivary stones which caused swelling and pain every time I ate!! They were in/around my submandibular gland and I would swell under my tongue. I had a scan and x ray where they couldn’t see anything and was advised to drink lots/suck lemons/sour sweets. The first stone either settled or passed. When it happened again, every time I swelled I poked about where I could see the opening under my tongue swell. I could see the stone at the opening and I managed to apply pressure with a pin and it popped out! It was only about 2 mm. I managed to do this again 6 months later. Not advised but it did sort the issue!
is yours def the parotid? Do you swell inside your mouth anywhere? You have my sympathies, it’s horrible.

Tried those, they just cause huge pain and more chipmunk face!

I haven't tried that - though at the moment I can't actually chew, the swelling has kind of pushed my jaws out of proper alignment. I'll try it when things have calmed down. Thanks for the tip!

Definitely the parotid (according to the GP anyway). No swelling internally, just on the side of my face/neck. Not attractive 😆

Has your GP referred you to Oral/ MaxilloFacial ? Sounds like you need a referral if not.

@Underscore21 I think that's next tbh. It's all been going on since 2019!

OP I suffer with this too. No stones in mine as I've had the scan done.
Chewing gum makes mine worse.
As soon as I feel the pain and swelling I massage the area whilst slowly opening and closing my jaw.

@catandcoffee does yours come on suddenly at the start of eating something? Or does it happen at other times?

@moggerhanger Yes normally just as I start to chew. Immediately feel the pain and beginning of the lump.

So I stop chewing and start the massage . I've even squirted lemon juice directly in the mouth,aimed at the side where the gland is.

ENT recommended citrus. Regular oj to increase saliva productivity as a preventative measure though rather than treatment.

Does this cause coughing and a feeling of your throat being slightly obstructed? A few weeks ago, I woke up with a blinding headache and my neck was slightly swollen under my jaw. The headache receded a bit but didn’t really go for days, and the side of my face/scalp felt tender. It was really odd and the blocked gland was something I thought it might be.

Its not painful now, but I am finding myself constantly coughing, throat clearing and it feels like there’s a bit of a constriction in the side of my throat.

I already take omeprazole.