What do I have if it's not my salivary gland?

Posted by deniseyoungblood @deniseyoungblood, Nov 11, 2025

What is wrong with me if I have chronic pain in my neck and my neck swells occasionally? It is not my salivary gland, my dentist verified.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

@deniseyoungblood This may take some sleuthing. Frustrating, I know. But unfortunately we don’t come with a ‘how-to manual’ for troubleshooting. 😉
If you don’t mind, I’m going to ask more questions… where is the pain located. Is it just on one side? Is it noticeable all the time or just when you turn your head a certain way such as towards the painful side. Is the discomfort more pronounced if you turn your head towards the painful side?

When you notice the swelling, where is it? Is it always near the painful area of your neck? Is it located near a lymph gland? You can find lymph gland/node charts online which could help you pinpoint the location.
Do you have other lymph nodes that are swollen?

Jump to this post

@loribmt
It hurts on one side lately. It has hurt a few times on the same spot on the other side. The pain isn't everyday but sometimes can be a few days in a row. It's not more noticable when I turn my head. The swelling is down my neck just at or below the pain.

REPLY
Profile picture for slarson14 @slarson14

@loribmt

Good post.

@deniseyoungblood may also want to book and appointment with an ENT; it may take months to get in?

Jump to this post

@slarson14
I have had an appt. with the ENT. Thats the dr. that suggested salivary gland issue. Told me to suck on sour candy.

REPLY
Profile picture for deniseyoungblood @deniseyoungblood

@nannybb
This has been going on for several months. This summer it hurt several times. Enough pain for me to take Ibuprofen. My dentist had done a panoramic a several months ago but didn't notice anything. He said my lymph nodes feel tender and swollen. He ruled out dental problems.

Jump to this post

@deniseyoungblood Did the dentist give you any other suggestions as to what you might do next? ENT?

REPLY
Profile picture for nannybb @nannybb

@deniseyoungblood Did the dentist give you any other suggestions as to what you might do next? ENT?

Jump to this post

Has anyone done bloodwork on you? Elevated white count would indicate an infection I'm thinking.... that's usually what swollen lymph notes connotate. And the infection can come from somewhere else in your body. I'm sure you know that.

REPLY
In reply to @deniseyoungblood "@nannybb No not really" + (show)
Profile picture for deniseyoungblood @deniseyoungblood

@deniseyoungbl I did part of my rotation when I was in school 100 years ago, for an eye specialist.
That was the speciality I was working for when I saw the plug shoot out of the saliva gland. Also your tear duct can get plugged causing severe pain. I watched the remedy for that as well with a good outcome.

REPLY
Profile picture for nannybb @nannybb

@deniseyoungbl I did part of my rotation when I was in school 100 years ago, for an eye specialist.
That was the speciality I was working for when I saw the plug shoot out of the saliva gland. Also your tear duct can get plugged causing severe pain. I watched the remedy for that as well with a good outcome.

Jump to this post

@nannybb
Oh wow! Interesting!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.