I realise this sounds absolutely bonkers. I should start off by saying that I am not a fan of Dr Google. I have some existing health issues, some symptoms aren’t fully explained by the diagnoses I have, but I have never once thought I have some rare disease or anything sinister.
About a year ago I was playing with a play tent and tunnel with my twins and a stream of clear fluid fell out of my left nostril as I bent over. I thought well that’s bloody weird, and then didn’t think much more about it to be honest.
About a month ago, the same thing happened while bending over tidying up. This time I tried to wipe it away when it happened but it felt like a fair amount. It was just clear fluid, slightly thicker than water, not like snot or mucus at all. I then had a nasty chemical taste in my mouth for the rest of the day. It happened a few more times that day in smaller quantities and then stopped. I felt a bit nauseous but otherwise fine. I thought maybe it was a sinus issue, then forgot all about it as it stopped.
It’s just happened again, while unloading the dishwasher - this time it happened so quickly that it just dripped out in big drips on the open dishwasher door. There were about four or five large drips in quick succession. Again it didn’t feel like mucus when I wiped my nose, the consistency is different.
So I googled it and found that very rarely such symptoms can be caused by a spinal fluid leak. One thing that stood out to me is that you can have it for years and patients are often misdiagnosed with ME or fibromyalgia - I’m diagnosed with both but the symptoms don’t necessarily seem to fit. Also it’s always the same nostril only which is another possible indicator.
It seems odd that there are long spells where it doesn’t happen. And I don’t have a terrible headache so I think it can’t possibly be that. I haven’t had any head injuries etc, just a spinal for c section 3.5 years ago but that was quite disastrous (7 attempts to get it in). I can’t see how a spinal could cause a leak in your head though.
Even if it is spinal fluid, there’s no imminent emergency - it seems it goes undetected for years, it can lead to infections but I have no sign of one.
I would feel like an absolute pillock saying to a doctor I think I might be leaking CSF out of my nose - I mean, that sounds crazy. And I wouldn’t necessarily be able to produce a sample to test on demand.
Has anyone had anything like this? I keep thinking there must be a rational explanation that isn’t this, but I can’t find anything - surely if it was allergies or sinus issues I’d have other symptoms and it wouldn’t just be one side of my nose?
This was about an hour ago and there’s been none since. Last time it happened if I waited a couple of hours and then leaned forward, I’d get a few more drops so maybe I should see if it happens again and try to catch a sample if it does? I have a urine sample pot in the cupboard.
There are new corona cases in our county so healthcare providers are completely overwhelmed and obviously I would rather not take up an emergency appointment when it’s not an emergency. Right now I’m not immediately concerned because I feel okay. But obviously if that’s what it is I need to get checked out and possibly treated to prevent an infection happening.
I can’t tell if I’ve fallen victim to Dr Google or if I should be concerned. Have I gone completely mad? (Very possible!)