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(Message started by: nextup on Oct 2nd, 2005, 3:53pm)

Title: light sensitivity
Post by nextup on Oct 2nd, 2005, 3:53pm
Hi,

I have a long history of migraines and now get to add clusters to the mix.  Based on what I now know to be a cluster symptom, I have had episodic though infrequent clusters but they weren't the headbangers that they are now. I have always had light sensitivty with migraines but now am EXTREMELY light sensitive ALL the time and am virtually confined to staying inside with shades pulled.  Any light sets off a cluster.  I haven't seen much documentation on this.  

I'm 3 weeks into this.  On verapamil 120 sr and imitrex inj.  I know I need to go up on the verapamil and I'm going to insist on 02 with this weeks Dr. visit.  But I'm curious if the light sensitivity is more common than it seems.  Also, while the imitrex does cut the pain significantly, I still have quite an uncomfortable level of pain for many, many hours afterwards.  Is this common as well?

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by alienspacebabe on Oct 2nd, 2005, 4:03pm

on 10/02/05 at 15:53:37, nextup wrote:
I have always had light sensitivty with migraines but now am EXTREMELY light sensitive ALL the time and am virtually confined to staying inside with shades pulled.  Any light sets off a cluster.  I haven't seen much documentation on this.  



Hi. Welcome.
I have had some stretches of two to three weeks at the height of my cycles where my CH have been ultra-sensitive to light or sound, even to the point where certain sound pitches (think Irish Tin Whistle) set them off.
Lizzie

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Oct 2nd, 2005, 7:07pm
Sorry, can't relate to the light sensitivity.  Never had it, though when a CHA hits, I prefer to be pacing and ranting in a dark room as opposed to a brightly lit one.

The only triggers I have are 9:00 PM and 2:00 PM.

Sorry I'm no help!

Kris

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by nani on Oct 2nd, 2005, 9:29pm
I've considered becoming a vampire.  ;)
Sunlight is my biggest trigger. I wear very dark glasses all year. During periods of intense activity it's much worse. Even when I'm out of cycle, sunlight hurts.
I don't suffer from migraines, just CH.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by Sean_C on Oct 2nd, 2005, 9:39pm
I'm sensitive to light too, some are some aren't.  The higher the kip the worse it gets :(

Sean...................

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by jcmquix on Oct 2nd, 2005, 9:44pm
Well I posted this once before, but its been a little while so...

When I am in cycle, my CH can be set off by many things... I noticed that Bright or Flashing Lights, certain sounds, when I am in full cycle, I swear that I can hear the cats walking across thr floor.. the real kicker is the smell of things... We were in a Walmart store and walked in the Garden section of the store, I just about passed out from the intense CH instantly, my wife had to walk me out of the store, the Chemical smells in there hit me like a Hammer.

When I am out of cycle I have no problem with any of these.. I work in a plastic molding company, the smell there never bothers me, but in cycle I can barely stand it.

Thats the one thing I have noticed about CH is that everyone has a few simple Triggers, then there are some triggers that you can have that no one has. My Nero Dr even confirmed it for me, She said CH is the only afflection that has so many different symptoms.

Even now, this is the first time that I have gotton Shadows from the weather here in Fla., and thats only on certain days... I go days with no Shadows then I have days go by where it feels like I am walking on my head, and the Light hurts my eyes so bad I wear my sun Glasses 24/7 Outdoors and Indoors.

I try to keep a journel and have rarely found things the same from cycle to cycle.

Thanks for letting me add this confusion, sorry about jacking this thread....

Have a nice day

God Bless and PFDAN's
Charlie

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 2nd, 2005, 9:58pm
Light sensitivity bothered my eyes during attacks for years during night hits, even the alarm clock digitals were painful.  
 Somehow it has bothered me less the last few years when hit at night, light is no longer the kryptonite it used to be but I prefer darkness out of habit when woken, as long as the oxygen is positioned ready nearby or trex n/s in place on the nightstand.

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 2nd, 2005, 10:33pm
I'm very sensitive to light as well. I prefer to be in a dark room when a cluster hits. The Imitrex injections work 100% for me though. No lingering pain afterwards.

PF Wishes
UNsolved

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by Rebel_Python on Nov 13th, 2005, 3:03pm
Ditto on the light. I had to designate a room in the house that stays pitch black during the day as a refuge during an attack.

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by CHTom on Nov 14th, 2005, 11:59pm
I'm light sensitive, especially to flouresent (sp?) lights, which makes working in an office environment hell.  The computer gets me as well, as do oncoming auto headlights (not to mention the sun). When my neuro used to shine that little light into my cluster eye I literally jumped off the table-he has since stopped doing that.  I often wear sunglasses in the office-people know of my conditon, so I don't get any smart remarks-and I always wear them when going outdoors.  Now that it is dark when I go to work, those oncoming headlights really kill me-if I don't have a CH attack going when I leave the house, I'll start getting one after about 5 minutes of driving and it will ramp up to a 10 very quickly-thank god for Actiq!  I wish I were a vampire!  Good luck and wear those shades! 8)

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by MJ on Nov 16th, 2005, 11:13am
For me its a quick changing of light types.
such as soft flourescent to incandecent,
shadows to bright sun
intense glaring lights, like the docs eye inspection, lasers, indicator lights on machines and appliances.
bright reflections of light are the worst.
Television sets.

Suprisingly the flat screen comp. monitor has no effect. and actually has a soothing effect for the shadows.

Its all in our heads.

Lights have no effect out of cycle.






Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by bnfreeman on Nov 16th, 2005, 10:50pm
I have been triggered twice by an ambulance light on TV. And once from the reflection of the sun beaming on a metal sign when driving down the road. So yes, it can be a trigger for me.

Title: Re: light sensitivity
Post by Kate in Oz on Nov 17th, 2005, 5:39am
Mmmm yes,  I had an eye/vision test during my last cycle  :o OUCH when he shined that bright light in my eye.

Any kind of light hurts me during a cycle, even if I'm just shadowing.  I'm also very sensitive to smells and NOISE, these can all bring on an attack.  



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