Salivary Gland Stones (Salivary Calculi)

[trof]

Ever heard of this?
Me neither, until last night.
Halfway through dinner I noticed a slight ache below my right ear when I chewed.
I felt it and it felt swollen.
Looked in the mirror and sure enough.

Called my retired doctor friend down the street and described my symptoms.
"Sounds like a salivary gland stone."
(She is VERY sharp.)
I went down and she looked at it.
Yep, that's what it was.

What are salivary gland stones?

Some people form a small stone in a salivary gland. This is more common in men and in people over 40. The reason why a stone forms is not known. Most salivary stones are mainly made of calcium. However, there is no abnormality of the blood calcium level or any other problem with calcium in the body. Salivary gland stones are not usually associated with any other disease.
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069166/

[Lars39]

1. Somehow,

"Got stones?", just doesn't have the same ring. Might perk up that billboard campaign, though. :D

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. I had a whopper a few months ago...

I had an ache under the jawline, then the swelling started. It got so bad I couldn't turn my head properly! The doc prescribed a round of antibiotics, loads of water, and as many sour candies as I could down. It took a week, but it finally resolved.

I had never heard of these stones before this, but I now recognize the ache under the jaw as something I have had before and in the very same spot.

It was a bit uncomfortable, but nothing compared to kidney stones! :scared:

[trof]

6. Did it come out?

[Connonym]

3. Not all that uncommon

Best bet is lemon drops (to increase saliva flow) and lots and lots of fluids. Hope it goes away soon.

[trof]

8. I am now 'The Lemon Drop Kid'.

You should see me swell.

[Bunny]

4. trof, that sounds dreadful!

Ouch. ;( I've never heard of this before - I hope you get some relief soon!

Only five more smiley-free days - think you'll make it? ;)

[trof]

7. Mildly uncomfortable when I eat.

Kind of like a sock in the jaw.
Goes down in an hour or so.

Yeah, I can DO it.
But I do kinda miss 'em.
You don't realize how much you use them as 'punctuation' and to show mood, intent.

[trof]

5. Update:

No improvement since Monday night so I saw my doc today.
I actually conducted about a 15 minute seminar for the nurses, who had never heard of SGS (a term I just coined).

I, of course, googled it and am now the 'resident expert'.

My doc ( a lovely lady) knew all about it.
Had one patient who passed one the size of a tooth.
She set me up with an ENT guy in a week or so.
In the meantime, try the lemon drop therapy and if it passes, cancel the appointment with the ENT.
Durn.

Now I'm worried about an infection setting in before the appointment.
Gonna call the ENT for advice tomorrow.

[trof]

9. Oh yeah. The good part. Scotch has NO effect.

<hee>
Lucky me.

[Bullwinkle925]

10. Yup - unfortunately - anywhere you have a 'duct' that involves bodily fluids,

and which ones don't?? - you can develop a stone. Sad, but true.