Anyone had mumps?

[Vette73ds]

Not sure if i'm posting in the right place but i'm sure one of the moderators will kindly relocate the post.

Has anyone here ever had mumps that could tell me what it feels like? The reason i'm asking is that I presently think I could have it.

I never had a mumps vaccine as a child and there has recently been a mumps epidemic in the UK with the worst areas being the midlands.

Over the past two days I have developed a really sore, painful tender spot just at the front of the earlobe (between the earlobe & jaw) and have had low grade fever for two to three weeks previous plus really severe headaches in the past couple of days, which weren't helped by painkillers. I originally put it down to a freak heatwave while I was on holiday but now i'm not so sure.

The right hand side of my face (the parotid gland area) is killing me and it hurts to talk or eat too and I feel like a hamster on one side (although there doesn't appear to be a great deal of swelling yet). I've rung NHS direct who have said that whilst they can't diagnose over the phone, they feel I should go straight to my GP before going to work tomorrow as there are some symptoms that are connected.

I know it definitely isn't an ear infection as i've had several of those in the past and it isn't any way similar, it also unlikely to be wisdom tooth movement, as there aren't any to come on the right hand side (according to dental xrays).

To be fair, i'm really worried for my husband and am wondering that if it is diagnosed whether he will need to 'be quarantined', which he is very concerned about. This has made me feel really guilty and very low.

Sorry if i'm rambling but I'm feeling pretty downbeat..

[alobreto]

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful. :(

I never had mumps and got the vaccine around age 30, so I can't say how it feels to have it. What you describe sounds like it COULD be mumps, but as you were told, you really need to see the doc to find out for sure.

It's hard not to feel guilty when one of OUR ailments adversely affects the activities of someone we care about. Even so, I don't think ANYONE ELSE would hold us responsible for a situation that is outside our control. You wouldn't be angry with hubby for being sick, would you?

I hope whatever-it-is you have goes away quickly and without incident. Sending gentle hugs your way. :hugbetter:
Angela :flowers:

[weedhopper]

Hi. I'd agree to get checked out with your Doc. I had mumps when I was 12. What you described could be. I remember it being very sore, not like a sore throat swallowing, but when I tried to eat....and like chomping into a lemon sensation but more painful. I also had swelling in the glands quite large on one side of my face, but strangely not the side that was the most painful. My family jokes now that I didn't have the mumps,.... but "the mump" as a child. :wacko: I'm not sure how contagious it is, but I'm sure your hubby wouldn't hold it against you, if in fact it is. Just one of those things, you know?....No one else in my family got it from me....and we first noticed it at, of all things, our family's Thanksgiving dinner ( I was unable to eat anything for the pain.) with all the aunts, uncles, and at least a dozen cousins. The following day the doctor confirmed it. So I wouldn't worry too much about passing it on to hubby either way, and I also hope that whatever it is, its soon to be over for you. :flowers:

[Lily]

Hi,

I dont know much about mumps but I would get it checked out because it 'could' be parotid gland swelling related to Sjogrens that's another possibility.

It would give you peace of mind and also if it is that then there's no chance your husband will be affected which I'm sure would ease your mind some :flowers: If it is mumps then its not your fault hun, these things are unavoidable ((((((hugs))))).

love
Lily

[flowergarden]

I remember very clearly having mumps over 40 years ago. My parotids hurt more than I could have ever imagined. My eyes were light sensitive and I had a headache and fever.

I would agree that you should see a doc first thing Monday. I might even avoid kissing your hubby until then. :cry:

I tend to joke now about having a permanent case of mumps (with my Sjogren's), but I know my parotids are not nearly as painful right now.

Take care of yourself, stay in bed, and please let us know what the doc says. :flowers: :hugbetter:

[chantal]

i would have it checked out for sure but im thinking its probably from Sjogrens i used to get that all the time when i was younger, at least once every year.. luckily i havent gotten it in years, at first they thought it was mumps too but then they found out it had something to do with the glands. I also got bad fevers from it?. Does it seem to hurt more when u eat something sour .. or seem to get bigger ?
feel beter !!
love chantal

[Vette73ds]

Thank you all for your replies.

I went to the doc yesterday (not my usual GP) but because there is no facial swelling (only extremely tender parotid gland) or a high temp at the mo she isn't sure so is treating it as possible mumps. I've been signed off work for a week and I have to go back next Tues for a saliva swab from the mouth to determine whether it was actually mumps (which apparently takes six weeks to come back). She has said if it isn't mumps perhaps it is a problem with my jaw :wacko:

I wasn't aware that the parotid glands could swell with Sjogrens but I wouldn't mention that to her anyway as she didn't even check my records to see what was currently going on. I haven't tried eating or drinking sour things and am living mainly on porridge, soft breakfast cereals and soup. I'm also only drinking tea, coffee and lemonade.

The way I will probably play it is if the test comes back neg, then I will make appt with normal GP to get his opinion and have it put in notes formally. I will also add it to the list for my appt at Tommies when I get one.

Although i'm not really feverish now it was really bad the past two weeks when everything would be soaking wet, bedclothes, blouses, trousers and not even deo would stop it.

Haven't kissed hubby for a week either :( , but we've been practising the eskimo kiss and the cheek to cheek kiss, hopefully he'll be ok.

[Karen_L]

Hi remember I am not a doc!

I had mumps at 23, i was off work for 4 weeks. firstly I had it on one side then on the other (not both sides together). 20 years on and I still remember it, I had the worst headache, couldn't lift my head off the pillow, I was vomiting and had a fever. Did my courting over the phone (he is now my hubby). Over the next few years I kept getting the swelling back in the gland at the side of my face, tortorous pain with it especially on bending my head forward (to get something out of a low cupboard, or something off the floor).

It turned out that I wasn't getting repeated Mumps but that the mumps had left a cavity in the gland and it kept getting infected. Only a very strong antibiotic would work to clear up. If it isn't mumps, could it be an infection. If it keeps coming back get you GP to refer you to an orthordontist!!

Love Karen xx

[suzynador]

Hi,

I've just read your post & had to reply. I've been diagnosed with Sjogren's and for the last few days I've had the same symptoms as you. My first thought was mumps for exactly the same reasons as you because I know there is an epidemic here in the UK. I guess my symptoms are probably linked to the SJs which I'm having quite a bit of trouble with at present. Like you I'll be seeing my GP anyway to make sure.

Susie
Cornwall UK :jump:

[Vette73ds]

Hi All :wave:

Just thought I would post a quick update.

Have now received the results of my test and it was confirmed as positive - I had mumps!!

I've now got to fill in a form answering lots of questions on where I had been, who had I been in contact with etc., to send of to the UK Surveillance Team. So much for the doc who said she thought it was unlikely (too old, only one sided, no swelling, no temp)....aaahh, smug satisfaction :halo:

More fuel also for my trip to London (which should be by the end of Aug) to show that I don't always present with the main problems and symptoms caused by certain illnesses...(my family is predisposed to not having normal symptoms). :lol:

[nicole7]

Awwww Vette...hugs
Sorry to hear that you now have to have this to top off your already "colourful" medical story. I don't want mumps... :P I hope your hubby and family are ok.
Nicole

[confused1]

Hey,

Just saw this thread. I had mumps when I was 12. Two weeks of high fever, swollen solid from ears to waist. Nasty, nasty stuff. I hope your husband doesn't get it. If I recall right, mumps in post-puberty aged males can cause infertility. I have made darned sure my kids keep all their shots up to date. I had mumps, measles, rubella ..... all that childhood nasty stuff. Thank goodness the only one they've had is chickenpox and now there's a shot for that.

Well, glad you are over your mumps and that you didn't get too horribly sick. Modern day outbreaks and epidemics of preventable diseases always perplex me.

Sunny