What is 'brain sag' as experienced by Dr. Hard?

'Brain sag' is a term for intracranial hypotension, where a cerebrospinal fluid leak causes the brain to slump within the skull, leading to severe head pain.

How common is a CSF leak like Dr. Hard's?

Spontaneous CSF leaks affect approximately 3.8 per 100,000 people in the UK annually, with women aged 30-40 being particularly at risk.

What are the symptoms of a CSF leak?

Key symptoms include excruciating headaches, neck pain, blurred vision, nausea, and cognitive impairment, often worsening when upright.

Home / Health / Brain Sag! Doctor's Grueling Battle with Rare Condition

Brain Sag! Doctor's Grueling Battle with Rare Condition

28 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Doctor suffered excruciating head pain due to a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
She spent a month hospitalized in Malta before returning home.
Early detection and specialized surgery were crucial for her recovery.

Brain Sag! Doctor's Grueling Battle with Rare Condition

Dr. Bernadette Hard, a 53-year-old doctor, endured a year of severe headaches and cognitive impairment due to a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The condition, often termed 'brain sag,' occurs when the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord leaks, causing intracranial hypotension.

While attending a medical conference in Malta in 2022, Dr. Hard experienced a sudden, excruciating headache that led to her hospitalization for a month. Upon returning to the UK, she encountered difficulties in diagnosis, as the rare condition was unfamiliar to her GP and required a long wait for specialist consultation.

Eventually, she was treated by a specialist CSF leak team at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. After undergoing complex surgery in August 2023 to repair a hole in her spine, Dr. Hard experienced a remarkable recovery. She is now dedicated to raising awareness and improving access to diagnosis and treatment for others suffering from CSF leaks.