Anybody experience any problems with swollen lymph node under the jaw?

[orphanedhawk]

About a week ago, my gum by my back bottom molar started bothering me. Thinking it was canker sores again, I treated it as such.
By the weekend, I knew it was something else, and decided to call a dentist once the holiday was over.

That whole week, my energy was lower than usual, my back was sore, and I was convinced my wbc were really low again.

Tuesday, I make an appointment for today to see the dentist to get an Xray.
After doing my labs, I was surprised that my wbc are better than they've been for weeks.

Last night after dinner, my upper belly swells some and I get a splitting headache.
My husband wants to take me to the ER but I don't have a fever.
I email my hepatologist  asking if I should take an antibiotic which  I have on hand.
Wonderboy, my doc, responds, sure take it, let him know after my dental appointment.

So,( sorry, I'm so long winded) today I see the dentist who takes x-rays and declares, " it isn't dental."
She sees no sign of infection.
As I show her where it hurts, we both blurt out, " maybe its a lymph node."

Now, my doc is busy at the hospital and I'm waiting to hear from him.
Tonight I take my interferon.  

Does this sound like something anyone has experienced? Any advice gang?
I'm lost and given up on playing Sherlock.

[Dee1956]

Hi I am having "issues" with hurting glands in the jaw, I am sorry to say that I have blamed it on sx from the drugs.  Have had fever blisters, cracks at the corner of my mouth etc since the beginning of October.

I am really glad you have such a good doctor and hope you feel better soon.
Please keep us posted
Dee

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks for the information. I'll look into it.

[DoubleDose]

Swelling of sub-mandibular glands, and parotid glands (on side of face in front of ear)  is common when using interfeorn.  Its a similar effect as seen in Sjogren's Syndrome and often in Lupus....it is the immune system inflaming and attacking sensitive areas in the body...the glands being a frequent target.  I had on and off Parotid swelling when on tx, and after tx ended it has remained to a less extreme degree.  The mild swelling is always there, but from time to time one or both Parotids will go through an 'acute' phase for a few days or week, swelling out greatly, and feeling very painful and inflamed.  I think the after effects of the tx can cause this 'auto-immune' type process to go on for long periods of time, and cause symptoms similar to when on tx.  I know I have experienced this phenomenon.  Research and read a bit about Sjogren's Syndrome and gland swelling, mouth sores, rashes, etc. and that will give you an informal parallel to what interferon often can do to an individual when treating, and even after tx is finished.  Likely an auto-immune inflammatory sort of attack.

DoubleDose

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks, that's what I thought at first.
I used the tiramcinolone dental paste prescribed for  mouth sores.
It always worked before but not this time.
Now, I'm on amoxicillian.
So far, it hasn't made a difference but its only been 2 days.

One more thought about mouth ulcers. There's a natural product called lysine which helps to prevent them. Its found in parsley.
I put it in everything!

[his3707]

parotid gland on me was swollen for a week.  very painful.  I did go to the minute clinic and that is how I found out what it was.  I also vomited while what was going on and you wouldnt  believe the amount of saliva that came gushing out.   "gross"   right now my glands are a little swollen on either side of my jaw.  has been for 2 days.  chalked up to just another thing....

[micheall]

Antibiotics worked for me.But finding a doctor is difficult to find to get it.My hep c doctor gave me amoxicillan the first time but refused the 2nd.Went to primary care physician and got amoxicillan the next two outbreaks of oral ulcers but refused the 4th time.I had a total of 4 outbreaks in the 11 month of the 2 drug program.After 6 months I have hep c again and start 3 drug program Dec,2011nNot looking forward to a repeat of oral ulcers.They are drug induced as a side affect.Wikipedia helped in information on this.

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks.
I don't even know if it is a lymph node! Its not swollen, its just sore in that area.
I don't know why I called it swollen other than interferon is making me crazy!
However, I'm beyond the panic phase. There's no fever and I blame it all on sx of tx.

BTW: I admire how well you  are taking care of you husband.
Mine almost went nuts taking care of me, last time around.

[Advocate1955]

I'm glad you're seeing your NP next week.  I've been thinking about your swollen lymph node.  I definitely think it's something to follow up on as soon as possible.  It might not be something local in your mouth, I wonder if it could be something more related to the lymph system.
Advocate1955

[orphanedhawk]

oops, that should have read, ENT not TNM.
Hello brain, where'd ya go?

[orphanedhawk]

Right, low anc, that's another odd one.
I was certain my anc were going to be really low, as I felt so crappy. Instead they were 1000 and my wbc were 1.7.
( The week before they were 500 and 1.3)
That's when I thought I had to have an infection.

Feeling tired and fuzzy headed, when I saw the dentist, I kept pointing to where it hurts, said I needed an X-ray and never mentioned how sensitive it is right at the gum line.

The really good news here is my implants and bone look good,.

Honestly, I'm clueless.
I'll take the antibiotics for at least another day. Monday morning I already have my scheduled visit with  my nurse practitioner.
I already have a list of questions  so I don't have to rely on my barely  functioning mental capacities.

And Wonderboy already suggested a TNM guy but thought I should wait on it for now.
Knowing he is always available via email, is a great relief.

Have you tried using tea tree oil for your tooth? Dip a toothpick into it and try to get it under the bridge, as deep as possible.
Good luck to both of us in resolving our mouthy issues.

[frijole]

Orphanhawk -  don't you run low ANC all the time?  I wonder if it is related to that. I would have been pretty worried if I ate and ended up with a swollen betty and a headache.  If the antibiotic doesn't help get it checked out.  What curiouslady said makes sense too.

I am afraid I have an issue with a tooth.  For the last 3 days it has been hot sensitive and I seem to recall that this is worse than cold sensitive.  Problem is it is under a 4-tooth bridge.  I have been trying to keep it really clean and see if it goes away.  If I end up having to redo that bridge, we are talking mega bucks!

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks for the replies.

toby and suezee:
Silly me, never thought it was yet another sx of interferon but that's a possibility. I'll try warm compresses, good idea.

Curiouslady:
No, I'm not sure at all.
First I was concerned it could be bone loss as its near my dental implants.
Then I became convinced it was an infection.
Lymph nodes are an idea. Salivary glands hadn't occurred to me.
It's sore~ not very painful but who knows?

Wonderboy, my youthful liver doc, emailed back, said it was okay to continue antibiotics for a few days and put off seeing an ENT for now.
I already have an appointment Monday with the nurse practitioner.
( They like to see me monthly, alternating between the two.)

Now, on to shot 14. Ten more, and I'm done!

[suezeeque]

Enlarged lymph glands is listed under "common side effects" for SOC in the trial documents I received.

[curiouslady1]

Are you sure it is a swollen lymph node?  Could it be a salivary gland?   I have had impacted salivary stones that caused infection and swelling in that area.  Very painful.  ENT removed the gland.  

[toby47]

Its always something ain't it. I've had swollen lymph nodes for over 2 months, under jaw and at base of head  in the back. I went to ENT to eliminate any other than possibility of Meds.Seems to bother me more for the first 5 days after Inf shot but doesn't go away at all.Gives me a very stiff neck and extra dry mouth. Putting warm compresses on them seem to make them recede temporarily.I've got one more shot hope that  will be the end of it.   .Have also developed in last few weeks earaches and sore and swollen lips. Don't know if there related or not. But I think my body is telling me Its time to stop, and luckily I will.Do have them checked out though just in case its something else. Hang in there and good luck. Toby