Persistent Parotid Swelling: Causes, Relief & Expert Advice

Question
I am a 26 year old female and for the past 3 years I have been living with swelling of the parotid glands on both sides of my face.  I have been to several ENT doctors and none of which can help me find a a reason for this.  The swelling is so painful that I fear waking up in the morning knowing my face will swell.  My face feels like it's breaking and my ears feel like they are popping out of my head. I have no stones visible and I have been trying to drink plenty of fluids to push through the thick white mucus through my cheeks.  This is a all day process and I am worn out from the pain and the anxiety it causes me.  I was offered surgery to remove both glands yet the risks outweighed the good.  I am in desperate need of a doctor who can help me to atleast give me a diagnosis.  Please someone help me- Ashley  

Answer
That is a tough one outside my level of expertise... have you been evaluated for a cystic fibrosis subtype?  Prolonged antibiotics for possible infection; probing of the glands by ENT.... I would recommend going to a tertiary care ENT referral center.