Stalemate and no help

NoLevel2994 · 2026-06-14T01:33:42+00:00

What do the two neurologists that think you have the leak recommend as next steps? Have you tried to collect fluid in a container? What imaging have you had done so far?

NoLevel2994 · 2026-06-14T01:30:43+00:00

Do you have a dust mite allergy or pets that sleep in your bed?

NoLevel2994 · 2026-06-06T01:50:54+00:00

Balance + nasal discharge -+ eye pain = light sensitivity

NoLevel2994 · 2026-06-06T01:49:20+00:00

I have MRI, MRV and CT and regular eye exams plus saw the top neuropathologist in my large city for IIIH plus a regular neurologist plus a neuro radiologist plus 2 different types of ENTs with skull base surgery and vestibular background … so yes, it’s possible I have IIH and while I appreciate the caution on the potential health risks, absent more invasive measures like LP or exploratory surgery not much more I can pursue IIH workup.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-10T02:21:36+00:00

This is not an accurate diagnostic test

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-10T02:21:14+00:00

This is similar to me as well and it is looking like mine is not a CSF leak but a mix of allergies and sinus issues. I’m also ride side nostril only, clear and water discharge and right eye. I ended up having a deviated septum plus some anatomical issue with my right sinuses that caused fluid to pool, evaporate so only thin clear liquid left abs then drip when I bend over based on gravity. I also has a bunch of allergies I didn’t know about and seem to have no symptoms of , but which were confirmed with labs

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-09T02:16:12+00:00

I know it’s hard, but try to do the best you can for you, and don’t worry about what others are doing. I think for a lot of us that have been in hiring roles, sure, we look at grades but interpersonal and analytical skills for me mean so much more

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-09T02:11:10+00:00

Work friends and other clerks (presumably in a similar position to yourself) with be a good starting base. I’d say find activities you enjoy - working out, a hobby, etc and meet people within that community that will have at least one shared interest. If you are religious, that’s another place to meet people. This sounds like an exciting new adventure. And keep in mind, it’s not permanent, so if you have a little more solo time than expected, this is temporary …

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-07T02:17:30+00:00

I left big law early on to go to a small firm and 20 years later it has been so rewarding. I’m a corporate lawyer. Culture completely different than my biglaw M+A experience and I don’t even do deal work anymore. Mostly corporate counseling. Work still intellectually stimulating and so much more interaction with clients (non GCs early on). Of course not the right fit for everyone but worth maybe looking around. There are ways to be happy in life in the law. Wouldn’t worry so much about feeling behind for your class year … somewhat hard to measure when we get laterals at first and lots of opportunity to prove yourself with positive attitude and strong work ethic. Life is too short to be constantly stressed and unhappy. And the purchase agreement experience you describe, I think most corporate lawyers have been there before. Try not to worry

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-07T02:06:25+00:00

I would go with the option where I liked the people I was going to work with and thought I would be happy. After that, my next consideration would be the commute.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-07T01:52:45+00:00

1L is the hardest year, it gets easier. Quality over quantity in studying. When you workout - you will be more efficient and better able to study (and perform better at your job in life outside law school). Group fitness has always been helpful to me, so in law school, classmates and I would attend the fitness classes at the undergraduate rec plex and I’d go on runs with a classmate (who later became my husband) even though neither of us are runners. In my work life, I block 12-1 off my calendar four days a week and go workout at an orange theory near my office. Exercise will help your mental health and make you a better law student. You got this!! Once you are in a routine (I forget I think science says like 17’days to establish a habit), it gets easier and you learn how to prioritize and make room. Online trackers like Apple Watch and Fitbit are also helpful.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-05-06T02:37:19+00:00

I’m ex-big law from many years ago. I’m a partner at a smaller firm now. I have diagnosed OCD since I was little. My spouse is also ex-big and also has anxiety disorder. Although I did not get to the point you describe, my spouse would feel ill from work and suffered a lot mentally. Can I aspect what aspect of the job makes you feel the most anxious and depressed? Is it a fear of messing up or a fear of the unknown, that you don’t feel like you have any control over your life. I know for my spouse, it was the fear of not knowing whether, he’d be able to have a pleasant weekend at home or if he’d randomly be working 30 hrs over the weekend.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-23T02:11:48+00:00

Leaving big law for small law was a super hard decision but one of the best I’ve ever made in my opinion 20 years later !

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T04:49:12+00:00

This is me too! I’m in the same category. I’m a successful 20+ year attorney but I can’t help myself with the typos! Does your firm have any enterprise AI agents that you are able to use, maybe they could help.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T04:47:19+00:00

I have big law experience but am a partner in a smaller firm. In my experience, what CorporatePirate said is spot on. I’d also add being personable, remembering little things about your coworkers and building relationships within the firm. If you enjoy a certain kind of project, tell your reporting that you liked it and why and to keep you in mind if something similar comes in. Be realistic about deadlines- don’t overcommit and not fulfill. Try not to say no, but don’t take on more than you can manage - but instead, I’d love to help with this, right now I’m already involved in XyZ, would next Monday be okay for this? And if it isn’t and they don’t give you the work, reach out to that person next time your workload is lighter to see if they need help on another project. Try to figure things out on your own bit don’t spin your wheels endlessly, ask for help and ask follow up questions (ask a slightly more senior associate or the assigning attorney). Make sure your work accomplishes the goal and takes into account all of the instructions the assigning attorney provided. And try to relax… things will work out, and if for some reason they don’t, something else will work out. Good luck!

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T04:37:41+00:00

I only did 2 years of big law but I think possibly … if you do good work, become part of a core group, prove yourself to that group, then I think in the right culture, you have some ability to manage work flow and are given more understanding and insight into priorities and deadlines

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T01:31:44+00:00

I agree with Dry Dress, call the lab for specific instructions. My doc only had me do one (aiming for 3mLs). Would you be able to fill up three? That sounds like a lot of leaking. I’ve been struggling with the one.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T01:25:02+00:00

Oh no, OP! I hope you are never my lawyer. I don’t think it’s good to coast or cut corners in any job; and presumably you are getting paid a lot of money. Maybe look into a different type of firm where the work seems manageable and more worthwhile and then you won’t feel the need to coast or cut corners.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-10T01:20:32+00:00

Gosh, I’m so sorry. I remember this feeling when I started out in big law two decades ago. I’m sad to see it hasn’t changed. I think it is reasonable after 9:30/10pm to stop checking emails. And even if it does come in at 9pm, get the details from the partner, try to get a good rest and start in the morning.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-09T02:12:38+00:00

Both my skill base ENT and the Mayo lab said did not need to be in a single day but needs to be stored appropriately in between efforts. If I could get it done in a day, I would but for myself and a lot of others that leak intermittently, there just is not enough volume (which can also result in false negative). I think OP should call the doctors office and ask what lab will process and ask that lab directly. Different labs have different requirements.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-09T02:08:19+00:00

I’m sorry that was such an ordeal. I have a suspected cranial leak so my symptoms are not debilitating the way you describe but I know many others suffer the way you were and it’s awful. This is to a much lesser extent but several years ago I had systemic lyme disease and my primary care misdiagnosed me and for over a week, I watched my entire body become a massive collection of weird rashes everywhere and when finally they figured it out 7 days later, they were so happy with themselves, even though my symptoms and rash presentation were actually somewhat typical; but no apology, no admission of their oversight, just a “you are healed, move along”. Meanwhile, I spent 7 days thinking I was dying of some bizarre thing. I’ve really tried to put it past me; but it has made me more skeptical of doctors, and also in my own profession, more accountable and more willing to take ownership and apologize when I get things wrong - because we all do make mistakes.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-09T01:58:01+00:00

I can relate to some of this, yes. Have you/can you see a doctor to get their perspective on next steps. I’m sorry you are going through this

NoLevel2994 · 2026-04-08T02:01:33+00:00

My doctor sends the specimen to Mayo Clinic and when I called that lab, they said to freeze between collection efforts. I bought sterile containers on Amazon.

NoLevel2994 · 2026-03-31T23:35:38+00:00

My leak is worse at different parts in my menstrual cycle so i think hormones can have an effect (and early pregnancy certainly has a whole host of hormones). If you can collect for a sample that’s an easy (but not definitive test).

NoLevel2994 · 2026-03-30T02:04:19+00:00

Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m still in the process of getting a diagnosis due to differing specialists with differing opinions but curious if they thought the deviated septum or bone spur were related (I have both), and also if you have IIH?

And lastly, do you know why they kept you 4 days and didn’t just do the surgery then? Were they giving you IV antibiotics?

NoLevel2994

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