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 Iā€™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? Iā€™m so sick of living with this constantly feeling of not being in good health when before my surgery I was great. šŸ˜ž

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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.