CSF Leak?

[kaitysmom]

I've heard folks on here talk about CSF leaks anywhere from a few days after surgery to years.  Not sure if this is a leak or a "freak occurence".  I'm 8 weeks post surgery and while eating my lunch I began to choke/cough so hard that my head felt like it was going to explode then the bloody nose started.  This has never happened before.  I was told in the hospital that if I had a continual runny nose or fluid leaking from my ear that was a CSF leak.  I've had a runny nose periodically but only since I started back to work after the new year.  Then I chalked it up to coming back into an office environment where everyone seemed to have a cold. 

Has anyone had this before?  I have called the doctor just to be sure I'm not going crazy.  I am hoping it's more of a freak incident rather than a leak. 

Jody

[Cheryl R]

Hi Jody,     Doubtful it is a leak.       You possibly have a very dry nose which can happen in winter and the irritation of the cough set the bleeding off.         One can have a runny nose but it isn't a leak.             My surgeon states a leak as when you bend over for a time the fluid comes as a drip out of the nose and can catch some like a drip of water coming from a faucet,then is a leak.     I did have a leak in 2006 2 weeks post op and it did act this way.               I do get a  runny nose on one side from eating and the other if get too warm when active but it doesn't drip.    I recently had a cold and  one side ran once I was over it for a few days  and of course made me nervous but no drip.   it has quit now.                      One should ask your dr if continues or feels like things are not right.          I personally never had any salty taste or headache when I did have the leak.      Some do with it.
                                                           Cheryl R

[Mark241]

Hi Jody, I kinda doubt its' csf also, I would try a salin/water mix to mostin the nasal passages, you can pick it up at any Walgreen's. I am still in a battle with csf leaks, mine never came out of my nose, only out of the incision site. I also use musinex to deal with bad sinus. Hope it helps

[Jim Scott]

Jody ~

Although I'm not a nurse like Cheryl or had to deal with stubborn CSF leaks like Mark, my inexpert opinion is that what you experienced is probably not a CSF leak.  I assume your doctor will confirm that supposition.  I also hope that the runny/bloody nose situation can be easily remedied.  Please let us know how this all works out for you.  Thanks.

Jim

[kiwi]

Hi Jody

I agree with Cheryl and Mark, my CSF leak was a constant drip and when I use to bend in the slightest it trickled out. It was the same texture as water and had a salty taste like tears.  It was also constant and not periodic. I also had some really painful headaches as well that was caused by the pressure changes in my head and I had never had ones that bad before.

Hope this helps a little

Jacqui

[yosemitesam]

Hi,
I had a leak after my first surgery in 2007. It was a small leak from my nose and was noticed when I would bend over to tie my shoes.
I went in to my doctor and was sent home with sinus meds. a few days later I developed mengentitus.
I also developed a new leak a month ago and had surgery to stop the leak. It didn't work and the leak was inside my ear and my ear swelled up.
So, I had to have a shunt install and all is well not. I hope
Your doctor should be able to take a sample of the fluid and send it to the lab. Mine did the second time.
Good luck.