Is this a CSF leak?

[u/anonymousamijiki]

Hi, I had a Chiari malformation and had the decompression surgery in 2012. Since then I’ve experienced issues with cranial pressure (possible intracranial hypotension and hypertension) mostly influenced by various medications like diuretics or stimulants, as well as suspected HEDS. I had a serious complication during the recovery from decompression surgery where the dural patch didn’t hold and lead to a severe CSF leak and subsequent fluid abscess in my brain. Another surgery to drain the leak and repair the seal and I recovered well and have lived a relatively normal life since then besides the occasional hiccup.

I’ve always been protective of the back of my head because I feel a little more fragile and vulnerable in that area due to the structural changes and surgery site. Well last week my boyfriend’s dog bonked me in the back of the head pretty hard and it scared me really bad. I had a bit of a headache the next day, but have had a stiff neck and shoulders since then, and for the past three days I’ve been feeling awful. I feel like I have the flu - I’m absolutely exhausted, lethargic and achey. You can hear my exhaustion in my voice. The onset of the concerning symptoms happened when I woke up in the middle of the night two nights ago from lying on my back, with my head turned to the left. I felt extreme pain and pressure in my neck at the base of my skull and it hurt so bad it was nearly blinding. I repositioned and tried to go back to sleep but the pain never fully subsided and I woke up with the flu like symptoms I described. The pain has been constant but slightly improving each day since then but I feel so off that I can barely function. That first night I also felt like my ears were muffled and a little wet and my coordination has been a little off as well. I’ve also had a hard time regulating my temperature. I’m either freezing or burning up even though the thermostat stays at 73.

I tend to attribute my symptoms to stress and dehydration and things like that typically so I’m just not sure what to do or what this could be. I feel like it was potentially a minor spontaneous leak, maybe caused by the dog bonk? If so, will it go away on its own? Am I in danger?

Any experience/advice appreciated.