Salivary gland biopsy today

flutterby

Fly away!
First, I have to say that I've never had an anesthesiologist as good as the one I had today. I had ZERO nausea following the procedure. I was alert and up and ready to go within 30 minutes. Although, I am very tired and feeling loopy right now.

I had a salivary gland pop up in my lower lip, so they didn't have to cut into the parotid gland. We were all shocked and he asked me if I had eaten anything sour, and I had a sour hard candy on Monday. I mean, really, really sour. He said that's probably what did it.

So, he got the sample and sent it off and I should have the results by Monday. The doctor seems to really think it's Sjogren's, but we'll see.

The local anesthetic is wearing off and it's really starting to hurt. A lot. I have 3 small stitches on the inside of my lower lip. I have vicodin and took one and he also wrote me a script for Lortab. He knows I have the vicodin, but wanted to make sure I was covered.

Please cross some fingers, rattle some beads, do a nekkid chicken liver dance that this brings some answers.
 

klmno

Active Member
That still sounds painful to me!! But I'm keeping fingers crossed for you that this sheds some light on things.
 

Mattsmom277

Active Member
What has been going on with you? I have probably missed a post. What is the cause of the biopsy? I ask because my parotid gland? Went beserk. Critical care for a while. Caused massive infection of all my facial nerves (which can spread to the brain) along with complete deafness for near to 2 months. It is still giving me problems, but to much less degree. I know I need to go see the specialist again. But I have no clue what kind of problems create these issues. Wondering if its something similar to you.
I'm glad the anesthesiologist was a good one and you arne't sick to your stomache now. Hope your results come back non serious!
 

gcvmom

Here we go again!
Hope you get some answers from this finally!!! What a blessing that you had that candy so they didn't have to go into the more involved area! :)
 

flutterby

Fly away!
Thank you. I really hope this brings answers.

The doctor told that anesthesiologist that it was to rule out Sjogren's, but then asked my mom, "Do you have Sjogren's, too?" After the procedure, he talked with my mom and he doesn't see an explanation for my symptoms plus lack of salivary glands except for Sjogren's. But, I've heard that before for X, Y, or Z. I'm trying not to get hopeful, but am keeping my fingers crossed.

Matt's Mom - I've been sick for a long time. I've been tested for everything under the sun and then some. The blood work for Sjogren's is only 20-60% accurate. The gold standard for dxing Sjogren's is to biopsy a salivary gland. The problem was, I didn't have any salivary glands on either my lower or upper lip, so they had to go in surgically. He thought he was going to have to make an incision by my ear to get to the parotid gland. I got lucky and a salivary gland popped up in my lower lip. It's risky to cut into the parotid gland because the main facial nerve runs through it, and if it doesn't go right there could be lifelong issues.

If you look in the mirror at the inside of your lower and upper lips, you see bumps. Those are salivary glands. I don't have any bumps. Except for the one that popped up recently. The sour candy probably stimulated the gland.
 

Mattsmom277

Active Member
Thanks for the info.
Wow, no salivary glands. How bizarre!!! I hope they figure things out and whatever your ongoing problems have been can be properly addressed.
The main facial nerve from the parotid gland was the nerve that became infected when I was hospitalized, leading to deafness for so long and to the worst swelling (I'm talking disfiguring, epic proportion swelling) of my life. Not to mention the pain? OMG. I was told if the problem persists, I might have to consider having the parotid gland operated on, somehow severing it from the facial nerve?? To prevent further infection spread via the nerves. Yikes. I was also told if that is the case and surgical intervention is required, I will have no movement in the left half of my face, mouth etc from then on. Umm, don't think so!!!
 
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