<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I had asked the list about the prevalence of salivary gland cysts occurring
with sjogren's syndrome and received about a dozen responses. Here is what
I found out. I don't know what it means, if anything, but does it seem like
a lot of salivary gland problems, whether they have been diagnosed with
sjogren's and/or celiac or not.

One person pointed me to a very informative website:
http://www.sjogrens.com/syndrome/

Several people mentioned salivary gland stones, which sound painful.
- Started with lump on the outside of cheek.......the next day a lump on
the inside.  After going to my dentist (as tooth in back was hurting) he
did not know what the problem was and sent me to oral surgeon that
afternoon.  Oral surgeon had a time finding out that it was a salivary
stone (not cyst) causing the problem.

Several mentioned salivary gland infections, which cleared up with
antibiotics

Several people mentioned similar problems:
- My cousin's little girl had this exact same thing happen to her and we
are finding that CD and DH are extremely prevalent in our family. I would
be interested to know if this is a related condition

- I have the exact same thing (cyst on my inside cheek), but dentist just
said it was a salivary gland... I do have CD though, but do not believe I
have Sjogren's.

- I've had one of these cysts since 1998.  It is annoying, but I live with
it. It seems to swell with food allergens, but I really haven't seen alot
of correlation between its swelling and foods or anything else. I've never
had it diagnosed, though a few doctors/dentists have looked at it and not
been concerned. I know that dry mouth is a major symptom of Sjogrens
Syndrome, and I have never had that. I've had some people tell me it might
be related to candida, and it definitely did seem to be more sensitive when
I was battling that.

- I also had a salivary gland cyst when I was 30 yrs old, now I am
47. My lump was behind my ear. Everything turned out ok, I had it operated
on.

- I had a Warthins Tumor (had lump on cheek in front of the ear). The
parotid gland was removed.

- I have Sjogren's Syndrome and several years before it was diagnosed, a
strange ulcer  formed on my cheek, leaving quite a crater.  In retrospect,
it was believed to be a salivary gland problem, most likely a stone working
its way out through my cheek.

- I can understand your concern about Sjogren's Syndrome, given your son's
proclivity to autoimmune issues. I would caution you about attributing a
cyst (which is really just a cyst, at the face of it) to Sjogren's right
away. Sjogren's is a lifetime illness, and would only be a reasonable
diagnosis after after a significant period of time with hallmark symptoms
and bloodwork and all the rest. I have known folks to develop cysts without
any mention of Sjogren's.

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