intermittant parotic swelling 1 year post RAI

[walkmore]

Hi Dr. Lupo,

I had a TT last June for a small papillary thyroid cancer (~0.9 cm) with follow-up RAI in September.  My mouth was slightly dry after that, but I didn't notice any real problems with my salivary glands.  In the last 2 weeks or so, my parotid gland on one side has been intermittantly swelling (visibly) and has been painful to touch.  This mostly occurs late in the day.  I've been trying to drink more water and to suck on sour candy when it acts up and that seems to help somewhat.  Is this something I need to have checked out?  I will be having a 1 year follow-up scan in a few months.

Thanks for you input.

[nissah46]

That problem did resolve after a couple of months. At first my GP thought it was the mumps because we did not make the association with RAI right away. I would be swollen and sore then there would be a release in the duct with a very metalic taste.  My problem now is not enough saliva production, so eating dry foods is harder.  I just try to always have water nearby. The saliva problem can also cause more problems with dental health, so now I go every 4 months instead of 6, for a cleaning.  I also sucked on the sour candy after RAI, and now read that it is better not to.  Dr. Ain, on another forum says the saliva glands will come around on their own. Who knows!
Trish

[walkmore]

Did it resolve on it's own, or do you still have a problem Trish?

[nissah46]

I also had swelling of saliva glands.  It was worse at mealtime and would take a couple of hours to go down. After RAI the ducts can become blocked. My problem did not start until 6 months after RAI.
Trish