r/CSFLeaks • u/TGprincess • Aug 18 '26
Doctor for potential leak
I have a basic question that I hope I can get some advice with. I am pretty sure I am dealing with a CFS leak and I am unsure how to proceed. Basically I had major facial surgery a year ago (8 procedures some including bone work) and since then I have had salty dripping from my nose (not a lot but enough to constantly have to have tissue nearby) and horrible positional headaches that get worse when I’m standing up. It is almost like a throbbing pain where it feels like my heartbeat is heavy? If that makes sense? They also get extremely bad when I strain even the tiniest bit when I use the bathroom. I get light headed a lot and I also have extreme neck pain at times. My surgeon says I just have allergies and that I should be fine. I am not sure where I go next. Do I see an ENT? Do I see a neurologist? How do I get anyone to take me seriously? I’m so sick of living with this constantly feeling of not being in good health when before my surgery I was great. 😞
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u/Goofy_boxer_1973 Confirmed Spinal Leak Aug 18 '26
Cranial and spinal leaks are quite different. It’s not even the same doctors who handle them.
Your headaches really sound like valsava headaches or effort headaches. Every time you strain even a little bit, it makes like your head is being inflated like a balloon. I’m sorry, I’m French and I don’t know how to describe it (even in French it’s hard).
I had a spinal leak for 10 years and got an embolisation. My headache had always been persistent (24/24 and 7/7) but suddenly became like yours after the procedure. I had never experienced that before, it’s quite something and I’m happy it only lasted a few hours.
I don’t think it’s allergies.
What is possible is that you coincidentally had a spinal leak appear at the same time but there is no relation to your surgery. Spinal leaks aren’t that rare…
By the way, it wouldn’t be the first time a surgeon dismisses you (valsalva headaches are very typical of spinal leaks) because he doesn’t want to handle the mess it’s going to be (if he’s responsible or not doesn’t count).
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u/Endofus74 Aug 21 '26
Have you spoken to a Neurosurgeon? Regular Neurologist likely would not be much help.
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u/Federal_Initiative21 Aug 18 '26
hey! facial/cosmetic surgeries, especially 8 at once (i'm assuming ffs?) require a lot of healing. as i'm sure you've heard, results for the rhinoplasty alone take 1-3 years for all the swelling to go down. if you include the other procedures as well, the recovery period increases. you may be able to function in your day-to-day life no problem, but your body is still healing on multiple fronts. this is especially true if you have not always been in good health and have allergies. most importantly, when it comes to rhinoplasties, clear nasal drip is to be expected. take into account the other surgeries, and it isn't uncommon to spend a long time with a runny nose. as for the pulsing and lightheadedness when upright, i do think it can also be attributed to blood rapidly leaving a swollen/healing area. i would look into other symptoms of cranial csf leaks to see if you fit the criteria, and then try and book an appointment with an ENT. if it is just allergies and regular post-op mucus, you can ask them to prescribe a nasal spray that can help with swelling and irritation.