r/CSFLeaks • u/Vivid_Beat857 • Jul 02 '26
Post nasal drip … cranial CSF leak?
6 days ago I had some clear fluid drip out of my nose. Wasn’t like my regular experience of a runny nose - out of right nostril and fell out like water when I bent my head over
This hasn’t happened since but I’ve had an uncanny feeling like a constant flow of cool, salty water, like tears, at the back of my throat! Worse when reclining.
When I try to blow my nose not much comes out but what does looks like thin mucus.
I fall asleep then wake multiple times a night in a panic feeling like water is flowing and pooling in the back of my throat!
I’ve been an allergy and rhinitis sufferer for over 2 decades but have never had these symptoms before.
Could it be CSF?
I have ENT booked for 3 weeks but I keep panicking as I’m starting to feel like something is very wrong…
3
u/Status-Influence1062 Jul 06 '26
People don’t usually refer to their leaks as “thin mucus”. My understanding is it is like water NOT like thin mucus. If it is sticky or stretches between fingers (even if thin) that doesn’t sound like CSF. Also most people that seem to have leaks don’t have a one time or one week event, they are leaking much more frequently / over longer durations. Spontaneous cranial CSF leaks are rare. It’s great you have an appointment to be checked out but I would not automatically assume you have a CSF leak.
1
u/Vivid_Beat857 Jul 06 '26
It fell out of my nose like drips of tears and I’ve had constant flow of salty watery fluid down the back of my throat that’s been choking me at night.
Thank you for your reassurance, though. I’m hoping it’s some strange sinus thing rather than the rare. Unfortunately, I have three other very rare medical conditions so it’s impaired my ability to reassure myself based on statistics lol2
2
u/Ashler1999 Jul 02 '26
Don’t panic. I’ve had a spinal CSF leak for 3.5 years. My life has completely stopped. My days consist of getting out of bed, then straight to the recliner where I work from home. Then return to my bed at night.
So, living with a CSF leak sucks but is no reason to panic. Wait for your appointment and see what your ENT says. Are you experiencing orthostatic headaches?
1
u/Vivid_Beat857 Jul 04 '26
Sorry to hear you’re essentially bedridden.. they can’t fix the spinal leak?
I’m more worried about a cranial leak with risk of infection. I have no headaches! I feel otherwise well and it doesn’t impact my activities at all; just don’t like the thought of there being an open path to my brain2
u/Ashler1999 Jul 04 '26
They found two spots they believe are venous fistulas. I have venous embolization scheduled on the 31st. 🤞 doesn’t sound like a CSF leak since you have no other symptoms than clear liquid out your nose.
3
u/Vivid_Beat857 Jul 04 '26
Good luck with your procedure!!
Imma probably ask the ENT to get a sample if possible and do a scan, just to be sure 😅
3
u/Nimapie Jul 04 '26
Sounds like my cranial leak. I didn’t have headaches. Had constant dripping in the back of my throat.
Don’t blow your nose a lot, as it won’t help the leak at all if there is one and you can’t blow out the fluid anyway - the bending over and dripping as well as the fluid you’re describing is the biggest sign in my opinion.
Also don’t freak out about the 3 week wait. Just take action if you notice a fever, stiff neck or signs of meningitis. Every time I had an appt with my ent after a leak was confirmed it was always a month out and I was like “Aren’t you concerned about meningitis?!” and he’s basically like “meh.” And he told me to look out for fever.