# CSF leak in my ear. What to do?

**URL:** <https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818>\
**Category:** General TN & GPN (Old Site)\
**Created:** [November 27, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818 "2012-11-27T20:25:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ihold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ihold](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/ihold)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818/1 "2012-11-27T20:25:38Z")

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I am 3 weeks post MVD on the left side. I had a CSF leak after surgery from my lumbar drain. I ended up having to stay in the hospital for 7 days. That has sealed. Since surgery, I have been having trouble hearing from my left ear. It's very muffled. I was told that that was from the surgery itself and that it would get better on its own. The "muffledness" has changed and it feels more like swimmer's ear. I still can't hear correctly and now my balance is off. Last week my ear leaked on 2 occasions, once in my sleep and once when I was on the couch. I was clear fluid. Also, I feel best lying down. I saw the PA from the neurosurgeon's office last week and she told me that they believe I have a CSF leak in my ear. She said that it would get better with time and that I should lay down as much as possible, not lift anything and not drive (which I haven't done anyway because I don't feel it would be safe yet).

Has anyone else had a CSF leak in the ear? How long did it last? What else can I do to make it go away quicker? I would appreciate any comments or advise. -I

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**Author:** ![MimiF](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/mimif/32/5948_2.png) [@MimiF](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/MimiF)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818/2 "2012-11-27T21:35:02Z")

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((( ihold ))), I’m sorry I don’t have advice for you, but I did want you to know that I’m thinking of you and hope this resolves soon. What about a call into your surgeon again? Did the pa give you a time frame, do these leaks heal/repair themselves? Wish I knew more …  
Sending positive thoughts! Mimi

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**Author:** ![ihold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ihold](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/ihold)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818/3 "2012-11-28T00:33:09Z")

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Thanks Mimi. They told me it _should_ resolve on its own and that it can take a couple of weeks. But I wasn't given any tips on what to do to make things move along besides not lifting. I'm hoping someone has a trick up their sleeve 'cause just lying here for weeks is getting old.

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**Author:** ![Kc\_Dancer\_Kc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@Kc\_Dancer\_Kc](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Kc_Dancer_Kc)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/csf-leak-in-my-ear-what-to-do/3818/4 "2012-11-28T02:11:58Z")

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Can you send a message to Red? I think most people go to the ER !