Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I am on the Dr merry go round re this severe facial pain I have been having on the left side of my face ever since I had a parotid gland infection.
The antibiotics are done, the redness and swelling and firmness are gone but the pain is not gone. I still have a continuous clear squirty fluid on the left inside of my mouth that tastes like salt a few times mixed with other nasty flavors.
I saw my PCP the first 3 times for it then she sent me to an ENT. Because the redness etc were gone by the time I saw the ENT he wasn't really impressed - said to finish the antibiotics, see my dentist to make sure it is not a tooth / gum issue, come back in 2-3 weeks. He also did the talk that your pain could be from this or that. I reminded him that I have never had facial pain until the infection.
Saw the dentist - no abcess , teeth and gums look okay , and the xray of the Lt lower teeth and gums fine. He did show me were there is wear on my teeth from grinding and clenching probably at night. The left side is significantly worse. I will be getting a dental device to help with that and luckily the insurance pays for most of it. I have one lower left tooth that hurts on and off and he said that tooth has a big filling and when there is a big filling you cant see all of the tooth on a xray - possible solution a crown might help might not (the facial pain too)- my share of the cost almost 600.00. He also did the your face pain could be from this or that and used air quotes when referring to the parotid infection. I also reminded him my face never hurt until the parotid gland infection. The dentist wanted to refer me to an oral surgeon - I said what the heck for and he thinks they know about parotid glands - I don't think that is correct - their extensive web site mentions nothing about that being what they do - so I feel like it is let just send her on to the next Dr kind of thing.
I am so frustrated and sick of this Left sided facial pain and the constant salty drainage into the left side of my mouth. I am not expecting any of you to try to diagnose me - we are not Drs - I am starting to wonder if Drs are really Drs.
So here is my plan - I have an appt to see my medical Dr again Tues re this - bottom line I am not seeing any more Drs about this until there are some pictures, scans done of the left side of my face. Is it unrealistic to say this to my Dr ?
The antibiotics are done, the redness and swelling and firmness are gone but the pain is not gone. I still have a continuous clear squirty fluid on the left inside of my mouth that tastes like salt a few times mixed with other nasty flavors.
I saw my PCP the first 3 times for it then she sent me to an ENT. Because the redness etc were gone by the time I saw the ENT he wasn't really impressed - said to finish the antibiotics, see my dentist to make sure it is not a tooth / gum issue, come back in 2-3 weeks. He also did the talk that your pain could be from this or that. I reminded him that I have never had facial pain until the infection.
Saw the dentist - no abcess , teeth and gums look okay , and the xray of the Lt lower teeth and gums fine. He did show me were there is wear on my teeth from grinding and clenching probably at night. The left side is significantly worse. I will be getting a dental device to help with that and luckily the insurance pays for most of it. I have one lower left tooth that hurts on and off and he said that tooth has a big filling and when there is a big filling you cant see all of the tooth on a xray - possible solution a crown might help might not (the facial pain too)- my share of the cost almost 600.00. He also did the your face pain could be from this or that and used air quotes when referring to the parotid infection. I also reminded him my face never hurt until the parotid gland infection. The dentist wanted to refer me to an oral surgeon - I said what the heck for and he thinks they know about parotid glands - I don't think that is correct - their extensive web site mentions nothing about that being what they do - so I feel like it is let just send her on to the next Dr kind of thing.
I am so frustrated and sick of this Left sided facial pain and the constant salty drainage into the left side of my mouth. I am not expecting any of you to try to diagnose me - we are not Drs - I am starting to wonder if Drs are really Drs.
So here is my plan - I have an appt to see my medical Dr again Tues re this - bottom line I am not seeing any more Drs about this until there are some pictures, scans done of the left side of my face. Is it unrealistic to say this to my Dr ?
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I have severe tmj and wear a bite guard. If I don't wear mine, I suffer for days. My teeth are like yours, worn down. I would get a guard asap. I also take a muscle relaxer at night to help with clenching. I hope you can get some relief.
And, I'd very seriously consider getting that tooth crowned. Better you catch it now before you need a root canal which is more money and discomfort. It sounds like there is already decay under that filling if it is bothering you. That could be what you are tasting. There might be a crack or something that is not showing on the xray. Been there and done that.
I know you are in a lot of discomfort and frustrated. I wouldn't blame all of it on the parotid gland infection. It sounds like you have had a couple of other issues going on for a while that haven't been addressed until now.
Take care and feel better.
The pain sounds awful, so sorry you are going through this. Have you tried ice rather than heat to see if it might help?
I found this under home care - might help - wont hurt.
Hope you get some answers soon.
Home treatments include:
drinking eight to 10 glasses of water daily with lemon to stimulate saliva and keep glands clear
massaging the affected gland
applying warm compresses to the affected gland
rinsing your mouth with warm salt water
sucking on sour lemons or sugar-free lemon candy to encourage saliva flow and reduce swelling
Fantod - Yeah I decided to get the crown. I think I have more than one thing going on too. The tooth that hurts on and off starting hurting again 2 weeks into the infection. I think it is a separate issue.
Angel - The Drs have not done any tests of my face - an issue I am going to press at my Drs appt tomorrow. I can tell the nasty tastes are coming from my salivary gland it is continuous and when I put heat on it and then massage it really drains - yet the pain never goes away.
I have been on the same meds for years. Just before this parotid infection, I was very ill for 2 months with my stomach problems with extreme nausea, not able to eat much, and some vomiting, some dehydration and taking 2 kinds of nausea meds several times a day. Less saliva flow from less eating and an increase in dry mouth from the nausea meds etc. I have been drinking lots of water the last 3 weeks - I only drink water and one hot green tea a day.
I think it is the nurse in me and also trying to be proactive but I research the heck out of problems/symptoms I have - I almost get obsessed and make myself get off the computer sometimes. I also don't have a lot of faith in Drs in general - I have been burned too many times. I really like my newer medical Dr - she is good to me so far.
Skinnybinny - I don't think it is unrealistic to ask for the tests either - the only way to rule things out is to actually do something to rule them out. It is not like the Drs have to pay for any of it. I alternate between heat and ice. Heat helps the gland drain but does nothing for the pain. The ice will numb the pain for a little awhile if I am lucky.
Peace I have been doing the things you listed for 3 weeks except the salt water - the Drs didn't say to do that but I tried it anyway - I cant stand the extra salty taste with the drainage taste and it didn't help .
Thanks for your replies and support.
I am to take a pain pill for my face and a heat application and hopefully I don't have to turn to ice after that - I need a nap .
Take a pain pill and hopefully it will work and make you comfortable until your test tomorrow.
Hugs
I have read this whole thread and I wish you well at your MRI appointment tomorrow.
And I hope whatever the problem you have gets resolved soon and you feel better soon.
Anything to do with the mouth, teeth and gums is miserable to have and I'm sorry to hear you are having pain and problems.
I hate having teeth problems. I'm not a fan of dentists either. ;)
I periodically get throbbing teeth, gums and jaw. It's not all the time so not such an issue but it's terrible when it does occur. My Dentist has found nothing that could be the cause.
I had a root canal a couple of years back and it took months to calm down. It is still slightly sensitive.
My mouth is sore and achy for a day or two even after a regular check up and cleaning.
Maybe us fibromites have more teeth and mouth issues than other people and take longer to recover from any dental work we get done.