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parotid gland and lupus

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Posted 9/26/2009 9:54 PM (GMT -5)
new to the group, I was told I had lupus about 20 years ago and then was told I didnt about 4 years ago.  I continue to have symtoms but have stopped seeing a rhem.

I have been to the ENT dr lately because of a growing lump right under my right ear.  First they thought I had a parotid tumor. I went for second opintion and FNB. It is a reactive lymph node. A quick search on the subject mentioned a connection between the swollen lymph node and lupus.

Does anyone have the same issue and have any feedback for me on this subject, parotid gland.  Thank you.

Posted 9/27/2009 11:51 AM (GMT -5)
Hi there,

 

Welcome to the forum.  I know that swollen glands are definitely part of Lupus, but it can be part of just about any kind of disease.  I don't have any knowledge on the Parotid gland, unfortunately.  Hopefully someone here can help you out more.

 

Ginny

Posted 9/27/2009 1:04 PM (GMT -5)

Hi and welcome to the forum.  The parotid glands can swell with Sjogren's disease.  It can happen on one or both sides.  If you research sjogren's you should be able to find info and photos.  There is an increased risk of lymphoma with Sjogren's - I hope you will go back to a rheumatologist.  There will probably be others here with more info on the connection between Sjogren's and Lupus - but I know the parotid gland problems are specific to Sjogren's.  Good luck to you!

Lucy

Posted 9/27/2009 8:55 PM (GMT -5)
Sandy's mom--
I have had right and left sialendectomies of the submandibular and part of the sublingual salivary glands and surrounding lymph nodes due to sjogrens they think, though I have some other lymph nodes under my arms and in my groin that showed up take no a pet scan.

My parotid glands are troubling me know alot, and I've begun to have some hearnig/ear problems. I am looking at a guided needle biopsy in my case. The parotid glands are harder to remove than the others, so getting afull biopsy is difficult, and needle biopsies aren't conclusive.

The most effective thing I've tried is massaging them lightly, sometimes the swelling will go down some. The problem could be the parotid, a lymph node, or the eustachion tube (an ear infection). So I'd see an ear nose and throat, sometimes they will try some antibiotics. Zithromax was very helpful in shrinknig mine, especially the liquid, but after I go off, they swell back up. Oddly, steroids don't help.

Brushing really well and often and using good mouthwash and rinsing really well can also really help. In my experience, one they get like this consistently, they are shot and will usually not work right, not drain right, and be a pain unless they are removed. My doc can't cut my neck much more so removal will only be in the case of cancer. My lymph nodes against the jugular vein are swollen and sometimes press agains the vein and make me dizzy. I've got lymphadenitis so bad now, in chest, under arms and all and its painful (not likely cancer, lymphoma is supposed to be painless) that I got to get into the ENT and get some progress. If you do get a biopsy, make sure they test for all kinds of infectious disease, all kinds. And going to the dentist and seeking his opinion and dental xrays are good, sometimes its from infection from teeth.

I've been through the ringer with my salivary glands and lymph nodes.
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