Is is possible to hear spinal fluid going down your neck?

Question

I have experienced this since I was a teenager, at least. It doesn't happen all the time, sometimes I can go several months to a year without noticing it at all.
But sometimes I feel like I can hear fluid coming down the back of my neck. I never told a doctor, and it doesn't really bother me, but it's strange. It sounds kind of like water going down a drain pipe.
I have some medical background, a degree in Health Information Administration and a year of nursing school, but I never heard anyone talk about anything like this.
Has anyone here in Yahoo Answers ever experienced that, or have you ever heard of it?

Answer 1

I emailed this question to myself because I was curious if anyone would have a good explanation after a couple of hours...no such luck. Here's what I have to say... I had a similar experience. I had an emergency surgery and was put under in a hurry. When I woke I was very groggy but fine. After a little while (hours perhaps or a day) if I tilted my head I could hear fluid running down into my neck. It was like I could turn a faucet in my head off and on by the position of my neck. I freaked out and made my husband put his ear on my ear to see if he could hear it. No luck. When the surgeon checked on me I mentioned it several times over several days and got no response what so ever (except maybe a note in my chart that Physc may need to be called). It was so strange and no one would even listen to what I was trying to tell them. The sensation and sound went away but it still makes me wonder to this day. I believe it was similar to the experience you had. I am sure I have not helped you on your quest for knowledge...but at least you know you are not alone! It's just me and you, kid!

Answer 2

I just had a discussion the other day with my husband asking him if he has ever heard a noise in the center of the back of his skull where it attaches to the neck (Atlas) and he said he has never felt it or heard it but he has had other people ask him if it could be spinal fluid. He is a Physician Assistant. What I hear is a bubbling sound which is fast like if you had a very thin straw and you were blowing through it to make bubbles in a glass of water. Sometimes its more like a rainstick sound and it feels like moving liquid being emptied. It can happen at any time of day or night and only lasts for a brief couple of seconds. 1-2 seconds. It doesnt matter if my head is still or moving or if I am looking up or down. It just happens randomly and I cant seem to find a cause for it. I also can not make it happen ie by going from laying to sitting up quickly or sitting to standing rapidly etc.,. Whatever it is, It doesnt seem to be a sinus issue and it really feels like fluid draining from within my skull down into my neck. I have had it happen and had a weird smell which I can not describe, but that smell lasts for only a second then its gone. It's a bleach like/salty/blood smell. That doesnt happen very often but maybe once a month. (That made me wonder if it wasnt a sinus issue but I never have sinus problems at all) I've assumed for years that it must be spinal fluid draining from my head. I saw this and thought I would let you know that other people have heard it too. No clue if it is spinal fluid but I tend to think it has to be.

Answer 3

I have it happen to me, not a lot but I hear trickling water sounds like it comes from my neck spinal area. It's spinal fluid only few people can actually hear this....we're special :)

Answer 4

I can understand your concern. I have experienced somthing like you mentioned. The cause of my situation is as I describe to you- I have chronic pain, for treatment I had injections of botox in the area around my head and neck and could hear the liquid medicine going in and after the injections I could hear the circulated blood afterwards. Sometimes, I can feel the blood circulating, not hearing it . I really would sugest that you discuss this with your attending doctor. I'll bet that you have told your patients about the problems or concerns that they may have encounted. This may be a major symptom or it may not be. Ask questions if you want the answer from someone, Please ask the doctor.

Answer 5

I have the same issue. I hear water like pipes in the back of my neck and I feel it only when I am in starvation mode. And I don't starve myself dangerously it's just the anatomical term for mild hunger. Try to find out when it happens and what triggers it. I have and I noticed it's hunger. People find it weird when I explain it but I've gotten so used to it now it's kinda cool.

Answer 6

This happen to me all the time, every day. I feel a flowing sensation. I have major spinal pain linked to fibro-myalga. I don't know if other fibro-myalga sufferers feel this. I also can hear the flowing but the feeling is more disturbing than the hearing of it.

Answer 7

I know what you're talking about, and occasionally I have experienced it. Blood is flowing through your body. You happened to be able to hear it at a rare moment. The next time you hear it, see if it doesn't remind you of the sounds you hear when you put a seashell to your ear.

Answer 8

I just heard it and came looking for answers. I'm just laying in bed getting ready to start my day and it was like a faucet turned on. Not only could i hear it I felt it....strange!

Answer 9

I don't think that's possible. Maybe you have a tendency to get fluid in your ears and it sounds like it's coming from a certain direction. That's my best guess.

Answer 10

I Agree with Zara, I also feel it only when I am in starvation mode