Right Cheek Swelling

@gnandanpai, if you would like to find out if you can be seen by specialists at Mayo Clinic, I suggest you contact Mayo MN to inquire and request an appointment.

Mayo Clinic welcomes both new and existing patients for virtual and in-person care, including elective surgeries, in adherence with federal and state executive orders and guidance.

Video and phone visits also can be great options for appointments before, after or in place of face-to-face care. Appointment coordinators will recommend a virtual visit if it best fits your individual needs.

Here's the contact information to find out more and next steps: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I had a salivary gland infection (looking at the anatomy, you can see three glands along the jawline). I have had a cyst (salivary stone) or two come and go..For pain, try lemon drops to open up the Eustachian tubes, gently massage the area and use moist heat in the area. It is a strange thing, possibly related to dry mouth. Maybe something with sinus is going on with your cheek? Or, TMJ? Dentist told me to use ACT, or similar, xylitol mouthwash to take care of bacteria. These are just part of the weirdness of the disease. I look up the anatomy of the area so I can describe what is going on to the Dr and have been pretty successful with ice/heat, lidocaine patches, PT and other non-drug treatments. Of course, I am on the usual for MCTD and not much for supplements besides magnesium, D3 and B12 from the Dr.

@colleenyoung thank you for the tip. As I indicated in my previous message, my case is quite complicated and I do not know at this point which specialist/department I should approach at Mayo. I have been to a dentist, oral surgeon, head & neck, PCP, rheumatologist, allergist, dermatologist and ophthalmologist. I have doctor notes, well-maintained symptoms & history diary, CT scan reports, MRI reports and blood & urine work. I would need someone at Mayo to look at my records prior to making a recommendation of which specialist or group of specialists I need to see. How do I go about this?

@marye2 what is MCTD? Also, for your salivary stone, did you need surgery or some procedure to get them out?

Luckily, for me, no surgery was necessary as it turned out to be a bacterial infection in the three salivary glands (parotid). Usually the stones go away on their own; has to do with keeping the eustachian tubes open. MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) has overlapping conditions, like Sjogrens, that cause issues. This was my first hospitalization from the disease in 26 years. Here's more from webmd. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/salivary-gland-problems-infections-swelling

Hey!!! I have the same stuff, but I know what mine is. These are marks of Gelsolin, or also called Finnish Amyloidosis, perhaps with LGMDr23 (almost the same stuff.) GSN (Gelsolin) loosens up the actin web around each cell, and allows the skin to sag, slowly but steadily. Your methotrexate is keeping it at a slow pace. GSN is part of Amyloidosis, part of Myeloma, with is a cancer. There are only a few hundred of us showing this now. My lumps are under my jawbone on the right, and under my right lip corner, and under my right eye. I also have blepharoptosis in the right eye and making my eyelids swell. Also on my cheek bones. Also swollen pancreas, heart walls, easy bruising, painful teeth, etc. Martha Grogan at Mayo Rochester is one of the best in the world at knowing what this is and how to deal with it. Watch her webinar presentations, especially the diagnosis one. oldkarl

Oh gosh, @gnandanpai, I see that I didn't respond to your question. Apologies.

You pose a valid question. If you don't know what department to start with, how do you apply. Luckily, Mayo Clinic will help guide you through the process. @artscaping can tell you about her experience using the online form. The form has 4 section and the first one asks about your main concern. You do not have to designate which department you'd like to be seen by.

If your request just doesn't fit into the boxes of the form well or you don't like forms, feel free to call Mayo Clinic at the location of your choice (AZ, FL or MN). The schedulers will walk you through the process.

Here's the link again to both the online form and contact phone numbers: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Good evening @gnandanpai and thank you @colleenyoung for the introduction. Colleen is correct. I have just completed an online application for Mayo Clinic that was quite successful. Of greatest importance was that it didn't take very long to complete and there were no additional documents required. You have a chance and 300 words to tell the admission folks about yourself, your hopes for help from Mayo, and the last section which is called "Wrap up". There you have 300 words to say anything you want to about your desire to be a Mayo patient.

The lines are not all run together like a paper application. There is plenty of room to write and plenty of time to think. You can read your answer back, edit it and change it. The subject areas are specific and easy to understand.

From the information you submit, an admissions staff member, calls you to review, clarify and discuss your situation. Fortunately, I received my acceptance after the interview and went on to be registered for my first appointment.

I think you will find everyone in every department at Mayo to be helpful, kind, and empathetic.
It appears that you are a great organizer of your health records. Should you be able to be accepted and scheduled right away, the information on your application is sufficient to get the wheels moving.

As Colleen has mentioned, the admission team will make a decision about your starting point based on the information you provide. They are quite good at that and I found that I was in a perfect home for my health needs.

Good luck to you. And please let us know the result.
Chris

I really appreciate your detailed answer @artscaping I filled out the form yesterday. I selected a time slot for them to call for today, but I did not get a call. Does it mean I have been rejected? I put in as much info as possible in the 300-word limit I had and did my best. My doctors in NY (NYU Langone and Mt Sinai) have given up on my case and so Mayo is my only hope!

Good afternoon @gnandanpai, Great! I think it says a return call can be within 3 days. This now requires positive thinking and patience. I am actually on my way to Mayo this afternoon for another appointment so I will check in this evening.

May you have comfort and ease.
Chris