Results Were Good From Neck CT Scan - 10/27/08

I heard back today from Dr. Sacks' office regarding my neck CT scan and the results were good. He said that there were no problems found on the scan and they came back normal. I spoke with him on the phone and told him that I have been massaging my glands every day and hydrating extensively and my salivary glands were getting better. He said to keep doing what I have been doing. There is no need to schedule a follow up appointment now but call him if I am still having problems in the future. He wants to avoid surgery - as do I.

Follow Up Thyroid Ultrasound Scheduled and Dr. Heller Follow Up

I scheduled my 6 month follow up thyroid ultrasound at NYU for Dec 15th at 8AM. Go to the 2nd Floor using the G elevator.

I am scheduled to see Dr. Heller again on April 2, 2009 at 1PM

Neck CT Scan and Salivary Gland Update

I went for a neck CT scan on Friday 10/24 at 8:20AM. It only took about 10 minutes or so and I should hear back regarding the results on Monday or Tuesday.

Regarding my salivary glands (especially the left one), they have been feeling much better over the last couple of days. I am massaging the left gland whenever I can and I am drinking water all day long. It seems to be working. My gland is much softer and does not really get enlarged throughout the day. I do notice that it gets enlarged in the morning but I am guessing that is due to the fact that my apartment is pretty hot and dry, and I am dehydrated when I wake up. It takes about 20 minutes or so for the gland to get soft and then I massage it down. Hopefully this is a sign that I've turned the corner with this. I'm hoping that the CT scan comes back with good results and no blockage. Even if there was a stone found, it seems to be working itself out so far.

CT Was Changed

I got a message this morning from Dr. Sacks' office that they spoke with Dr. F regarding my CT scan and they decided to change it from "with contrast" to "WITHOUT CONTRAST". This is done to avoid jeopardizing my total body scan next year.

I have been keeping up with the fluids, gum and massaging. While the left side has remained "calm" so far, I do notice that even when it is not hard, large and painful, it is always feeling firm to me. Dr. Sacks noticed this yesterday as well.

Visited the ENT Doctor Today - Neck CT Scheduled

I went back to Dr. S for a follow up visit after I saw Dr. Greene at the end of September due to my inflamed sub mandibular salivary glands. I let Dr. S know that I had my good days and bad days, but my left gland still swells up and gets painful on a regular basis. He felt the glands on either side of my neck and concurred that my left one felt firm, while my right one was definitely softer. While he told me that this can still resolve itself, which is what he prefers, he wanted to get a better look at my salivary glands to see what is causing the blockage (if anything). Therefore, he scheduled for me to get a CT of my neck. I am going to get it on 10/24/08 at 8:20AM at East River Medical Imaging (519 E 72nd Street, Suite 103 between York and FDR drive).







He told me to remain hydrated, massage the glands, and suck on sour candies/chew gum as often as I can. He let me know of the surgical options if there is a blockage or stone, but he doesn't prefer those options at this point.

UPDATE:

I spoke with Dr. F after my appointment at the ENT doctor and she said that if I am having a CT scan of my neck that includes a contrast, that could interfere with my total body scan in June. She said that she would discuss this with Dr. S and then come up with the best solution.

This was a good day regarding my neck. Although my glands were somewhat firm in the morning when I went to the ENT, they were not as large as the day before. I spent the entire day hydrating (and going to the bathroom) and chewing as much gum as possible. My left gland stayed small and felt good when eating. Also, my saliva production throughout the day was good (much more than usual). I took advantage of the points of the day when my mouth was not huring and chewed gum. This seemed to help alot. Hopefully, this is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. I will make sure to vigorously keep up the hydrating and gum chewing. I want this to go away as soon as possible.

Salivary Update - 10/20/08

The pain and discomfort on my left side fluctuates day by day. Yesterday, other than some firmness in the morning when I woke up, I was relatively pain/swelling free for most of the day and I ate with relative ease. On other days, including today, the swelling lasts almost all day and is quite painful, when I am eating and when I am not eating. The gland can get as large as a large marble (or golf ball) and it is visible when looking at my neck. I massage the gland, which helps only when the swelling has gone down a bit. Unfortunately, it is usually uncomfortable to chew gum or suck on sour candies due to the swelling of the gland and the "tugging" and pain inside of my mouth under my tongue.

I am going back to the ENT doctor tomorrow morning for a follow up. Since my gland does feel good on some days, I assume he'll say that this is just a normal phase for the salivary gland to go through. When I had the pain/discomfort behind my ear, it took several weeks for it to finally go away. The swelling started right after Reach the Beach but the pain and discomfort has only been for a few weeks. Hopefully, this will work itself soon because eating is becoming very uncomfortable. As long as this is normal and there is no underlying condition, I will have to put up with it for as long as it takes.

Salivary Gland Update - More Discomfort on the Left Side

Since I went to the ENT doctor at the end of September, the swollen submandibular gland hasn't really gotten any better. It doesn't really bother me that much but I did not notice the swelling getting smaller in the morning when it is usually the largest and firmest. I noticed today that when the gland gets swollen and firm, I get a burning/painful sensation underneath my tongue on the left side, directly above where the gland is. It is very uncomfortable and difficult to eat. The pain gets worse when I move my tongue back and forth. I noticed that when I press on the gland, it seems directly corrollated to the pain and burning in my mouth. It calms down a bit when I stop eating and drink more. Luckily, I am going back to the ENT doctor for a follow up on Oct 21st. Let's see what he has to say.