salivary stone

RN-PA, RN · Sep 15, 2003

My grandmother had a blocked salivary gland and the doctor told her to suck on lemon drops. I did a Google Search by typing in "salivary stone, lemon" and came up with 407 results. Many mention the lemon drop, and here's one of the first few sites that addressed your problem:

http://www.aos-jax.com/glands.htm

If you're trying to avoid surgery, try getting one or two other opinions from ENT's if possible.

RN~in~CT · Sep 15, 2003

A former coworker of mine was diagnosed with salivary stones. Her cheek on the affected side would swell, and it would be quite painful.

Anyhow, her MD advised that she use Altoids lemon drops ~ they come in a silver round tin. He had said that this particular brand was especially tart.

I agree about a 2nd opinion, and perhaps inquire about the lemon drop theory.

Good luck to you.

SLORRN · Sep 15, 2003

As a surgical nurse I can tell you that the surgical procedure for removing salivary stones is generally very simple. In some cases the stone was expressed through a duct or very small incision. Ask the ENT Doc to explain how the surgery is done & you might change your mind & decide to go for it.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2003

I had a co-worker once who got salivary stones all the time. They would work their way out on their own. He'd pull them out of his mouth from time to time. Knowing I was going to nursing school, he'd make a point to show me. (Thanks...)

I've got no idea if this is typical...

kids · Sep 15, 2003

Ouch.

I had a parotid stone a couple of years ago. Every time I ate something I would get this huge swelling below my ear. The first time it happened I thought it was an allergic reaction (I was eatting peanutbutter Ritz Bits at the time). After a day or 2 I figured I couldn't suddenly be allergic to everything I ate.

I scheduled a doctors appointment on the way to the appointment I bought and ate a bagel, I was starving having had only liquids for 2 days. Darned if it didn't pass on the way there.

The doctor did say that once you have one you are more likely to get another, and mouth breathers are more prone.

Good luck with yours.

Jay-Jay, RN · Sep 16, 2003

I had the duct under my tongue block up when I was in nursing school. My GP managed to get me an emergency appt. with an ENT surgeon. He plopped me down in his chair, and went in after it with a pair of tweezers and a scalpel. :eek: When I started to holler, he said, "Hmm....maybe we'd better use a bit of Novocaine??"

I nodded my head vigorously, he gave me a small shot of the stuff, waited a few minutes, then went back in and popped the stone out! Haven't had any problems since. My mouth was a little sore for a day or so, but certainly, it was nowhere near as bad as having a filling done. I still made it to class that day, though I was a little late. (He actually gave me a note to explain my absence!)

Agnus · Sep 16, 2003

Originally posted by Jay-Jay
He plopped me down in his chair, and went in after it with a pair of tweezers and a scalpel. When I started to holler, he said, "Hmm....maybe we'd better use a bit of Novocaine??"

I nodded my head vigorously, he gave me a small shot of the stuff, waited a few minutes, then went back in and popped the stone out!)

Sounds like a good movie scene. :chuckle

Not being unsympathetic here. Just visualizing this and thinking, "smart girl" What was that doc thinking?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2003

I had a cyst on the salivary gland under my tounge. It was the size of a small jelly bean. It was easy to remove and no big deal. He used novacaine. He even offered conscious sedation which I refused and an Ativan which I did take prior because he said he wanted me calm while he was doing the procedure. It lasted about 30 minutes.

It did however grow back a time or two, but burst on it's own and I haven't had any problems for several months.

lateblumer · Sep 16, 2003

My friend used Lemonheads and Warheads. If those two don't make you pucker, have the surgery!