Parotid/salivary gland swelling and pain

I have had Long COVID for over 3 years. I have Sjogren's Syndrome that causes the symptoms you stated about your glands and facial swelling. In addition to pain and swelling my teeth started falling out. I had to have 2 oral surgeries last month. I suggest that you have a biopsy of your salivary glands to get tested for Sjogren's Syndrome. I would not recommend relying on the blood test for accurate results. Sjogren's can impact other areas of your body. Johns Hopkins is seeing their long COVID patients with POTS also being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome. I have POTS. No idea why we are getting both. Good Luck. Take care of yourself and err on the side of caution when you start having any new symptoms.

Hi and thank you. It happens every single time I eat. It eventually goes back down but it's just weird because it started happening out of the blue. There's no pain but **something** has to be causing it. I only noticed it because I happened to look in the mirror one day and I was like WHOA! WHAT IS THAT?!!
I do have a tooth that's kind of located right above the gland that had a root canal & I lost the cap/crown so maybe that has infection in it. I need a dentist but can't afford a replacement crown.
I don't know. What are your thoughts? Thanks again for welcoming me, your quick response and reading all of my ramblings.
Sincerely.

I have many symptoms of adverse effects of the sars-cov-2 vaccine. This one that you have mentioned just started 10 days ago. My symptoms started with severe pruritus then hairloss after my second vaccination. April 2021 started and still having many crazy illnesses. I have been diagnosed with many autoimmune diseases Lupus,Psoriatic arthritis, palmer planter pustulosis, connective tissue disease, Betchet disease, rhumatory arthritis....many different symptoms-tinnitus, necrosis of the ear,adrenal gland tumor and lesions, sores on my scalp and body,carpal and cubital tunnel, gallbladder removed...im so depressed I was healthy before the vaccine now I'm continually get a new symptoms. If you do find any treatment please share.

@mikkimcc, I'm wondering how you are doing? Are you still getting the swelling everytime you eat? I understand how the expense of dental work can prevent access to treatment, however, if you suspect the tooth is causing this, I think you should get it looked at. You might need an antibiotic for infection. And maybe can work out a deal for a possible temporary covering to protect the area until a more permanent fix is possible.

Another possibility is to contact the doctor who ordeded the ultrasound and report what you are experiencing when you eat. Is this a possibility for you?

@heather8568, I want to extend a Welcome to Connect. I can see that you have diagnoses for a wide range of medical complications. And I can understand why you are feeling depressed, as you have shared. I don't share your experiences, and I am definitely not familiar with your diagnoses, but I can understand how miserable you must be feeling. I do hope that find some comfort for all of this.

Heather, Who has diagnosed you with these conditions that you have listed? Are you currently under the care of any medical provider?

I have many doctors at Ohio State University Wexner medical center. At first I seen my Dr's atleast every 2 weeks and messaged them on my chart when my symptoms were at its worst. I am also enrolled in the Yale (Listen) study on long covid and adverse effects of sars-cov-2 vaccine.

I have many symptoms of adverse effects of the sars-cov-2 vaccine. This one that you have mentioned just started 10 days ago. My symptoms started with severe pruritus then hairloss after my second vaccination. April 2021 started and still having many crazy illnesses. I have been diagnosed with many autoimmune diseases Lupus,Psoriatic arthritis, palmer planter pustulosis, connective tissue disease, Betchet disease, rhumatory arthritis....many different symptoms-tinnitus, necrosis of the ear,adrenal gland tumor and lesions, sores on my scalp and body,carpal and cubital tunnel, gallbladder removed...im so depressed I was healthy before the vaccine now I'm continually get a new symptoms. If you do find any treatment please share.

I’m sorry you’re struggling with all the things you mentioned. You mentioned you have pruritus which is itching of the skin. Do you also have hives? Also, have you had your Thyroid levels checked? You could have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. I was diagnosed in November of 2022 with Hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s before catching Covid in December of 2022. Once I got Covid in December of 2022, I then started loosing my hair, gaining weight and lost my taste and smell and still don’t have it back. It is depressing and I’m working on regaining it. I also am now taking Synthroid for the Hypothyroidism. I’ve also been tested for food allergies and have stopped eating the foods that made me feel unwell, for 6 months now and have just begun to reincorporate those foods, 1 per week. I am feeling much better, have lost the weight and my hair is growing back. I do hope this helps you. If you decide to have your thyroid levels checked, it’s a blood test that checks your TSH, T3-Free, T4-Free and your thyroid antibodies. If your numbers are high, you probably need thyroid medications. Good luck!