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happymama Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 05 2007 Location: N/A
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Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 9:04am | IP Logged
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Ladies,
The past 5 days I've had a very sore & swollen gland beneath my left ear. The ache is constant and distracting. I've never experienced a gland getting so large. Because I am not having any cold or sore throat symptoms, I did go to the doctor yesterday and she was not concerned - but ordered a variety of tests just in case. She said she'd call next week to discuss the results, or she'd call me earlier if anything was unusual, and she hasn't called.
So I'm looking for suggestions on what I should do to hurry this painful situation along. I've been taking tylenol, resting when I can, drinking plenty of water & chicken stock. If you have any other ideas or herbal suggestions, fire away! I've been trying to get my household back to "normal" for 3 years and keep getting knocked back on my feet. tia.
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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pineapple.. or bromelain capsule.. it helps with reducing swelling and might help releive some of the pressure.
if you make a smoothie with the pineapple with ice or ice cream in it.. the cold might also feel good while drinking it.
for that matter.. maybe a cold pack on the sore area?
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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mum2five Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 05 2010 Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline Posts: 10
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Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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An essential oil mix of Lavender and Tee Tree in a carrier oil and massaged around the area can often help. Both these oils are anti viral and anti bacterial. I usually go with 5ml of carrier oil and 3 drops of tee tree and 2 of lavender.
Also echinacea tincture is brilliant as is elderberry syrup and big doses of vitamin C I regularly take upwards of 3 grammes daily.
I've been plagued on and off over the years with gland problems and I know how debilitating it can be, hope your health picks up soon.
God Bless, San
__________________ Wife to Dave, Mother to Emma and Kathryn 23, Sara 20, Benedict 6 and Philippa 14 months.
Our blog is: Laborare Est Orare at http://san-leo.typepad.com
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Marcia Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 20 2007 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Feb 25 2010 at 10:22pm | IP Logged
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any chance you can get some breast milk in that ear? Sounds like a bit of cold...and your body is already making antibodies so use them if you can tolerate the idea of using your own breastmilk.....
Feel better. we had horrid colds here last month with bad ear aches that lasted days. Heating pads to the ears worked some charm, but alas no breastmilk was to be found in this house.
__________________ Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
Homeschooling 10th, 7th, 5th, 2nd, PreK and a toddler in tow.
I wonder why
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happymama Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 05 2007 Location: N/A
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Posted: Feb 26 2010 at 10:21am | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the suggestions, I will try them all.
(Marcia, my little one is weaned. Hope you all are feeling better now!)
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Feb 26 2010 at 10:24am | IP Logged
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If it's the ear.. you can get herbal (garlic) oils at the health food store specifically for use in the ear.. they work really well too.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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melanie Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2007
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Posted: Feb 26 2010 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
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Well, I'm not a good person to answer I guess, but I will anyway. I don't want to try and scare you, that's not what I'm trying to do, I promise. I've had a gland be swollen for a period before and it did go away on its own. But anyway,,,a friend of mine has the same thing, I don't know for sure if it is the same exact gland, there are several in the neck, but anyway, she is going to have to have surgery because it is a tumor. They said it is very likely benign, but they are still recommending that she have it removed just in case. So, there's that, sorry to be bearer of grim news. Five days is not long, it could still be just about anything, but if it doesn't go away, do insist on getting it checked further. She ended up going to an ear, nose, and throat doctor to get it checked out.
__________________ Melanie
homeschooling Maria (13yo), Kain (10yo), Jack (5yo), Tess (2yo), and our newest blessing, Henry Robert, born 4/23!
slightlycrunchycatholic.blogspot.com
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happymama Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 05 2007 Location: N/A
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Posted: Feb 26 2010 at 7:08pm | IP Logged
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thanks, Melanie - I did research it a lot on-line, as a swollen gland can be one of the first signs of cancer, particularly Hodgkin's lymphoma. But only 1% of people who go to the doctor for this problem actually have cancer, and those swollen glands usually develop gradually over time, and are not painful. My doctor did order a CBC and other blood tests to rule out signs of cancer.
My ears, nose, & throat are fine. The gland is just super swollen, so that the pain radiates into my jaw & lower ear. Today was not any worse, though, so maybe it's already peaked.
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