Hi all.
I may be going mad here, but has anybody had any experience with light therapy? The reason I ask is that I've been doing some studio type photography with some very bright, 125w (625w eq), 5000k (blue end of the spectrum) photographic bulbs. I noticed yesterday that both the 5pm and 9pm headaches didn't happen, (I can't set my watch by them but they normally happen around this sort of time). It could be a bit of a coincidence or has anybody else experienced the same?

High energy and short wavelength of blue (around 450nm) fits argon.  Not common to work with, but light therapy in general can be associated with trendy terms and claims.  See how it continues to work for you.

Hi Kevin.
Good lord, I'm not claiming anything. As I said it could have just been a coincidence..............

Hi,

There's no insinuation you claimed anything, you inquired if it was coincidental.  Light therapy in general was mentioned to be associated with claims that could be considered trendy.  If wondering about being coincidental, further experience was mentioned simply as an opinion.

I'm going to set up one of my photographic lights in my office and see how it goes. Maybe something or it may be nothing. It'll be bright for sure. If it works I'll report back that I've had a huge string of coincidences that needs to be verified.

I'm sorry If I got misinterpreted your reply, no sleep, that's the problem.

Understandable, no problem.  You're kinda new here, I can be a round-about, general idea communicator, mostly due to abbreviated and and sloppy notetaking type writing.  The dictionary's a damn three steps away, it's got dust on it.   Only sometimes even I know what I'm talking about.   ;)

I'm curious whether the right application of some sort of light therapy might have some effect on episodic CH.  (Could be good or bad.)  Not just the duration and intensity of light, but the wavelength as well. 

After all--a good percentage of us seem to have cycles that cluster around both equinoxes. 

It's long been speculated that photoperiod has something to do with it, but there are seasonal changes in the wavelengths of sunlight as well.

It may have no effect whatsoever, of course.

Best,

George

If we accept that episodic CH is at least partially associated with circadian and/or circannual cycles, light therapy seems like a reasonable additional preventative.  It can't hurt anything (except for the pocketbook if you get one of those fancy full-spectrum light units sold for Seasonal Affective Disorder.)  You can get full-spectrum light bulbs at Home Depot.  Sit in front of bright lights in the early morning and evening see if it helps.

That being said, my cycles tend to start right after the spring equinox, when days start to get longer here in the northern hemisphere.  I think that, at least in part, I absolutely love Autumn -- the days get shorter!  Everyone's cycles fall their own rhythms, though. 

Jim

Since you already have the equipment your experimentation makes a lot more sense than someone going out and buying expensive lighting equipment to give it a try.  If it works for you I might be willing to try it later.  As Kevin said, it is one of those trendy things that come along every now and then for a variety of issues.  Very often the issue being addressed is the pocket book of the one selling the equipment.

Jerry

I believe I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Never been formally diagnosed but I can deeply feel the change in light and its impact on my overall mood. I have tried light therapy for mood and it does seem to have a positive effect. But its the type of thing you have to stick with for it to really work.

Have no idea of its potential for CH.

Jim L wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 11:21am:

If we accept that episodic CH is at least partially associated with circadian and/or circannual cycles, light therapy seems like a reasonable additional preventative.  It can't hurt anything

Yes, it can. I went to a chiro at the insistence of a friend who said this guy could CHs in an instant, using light therapy with pattern response triggers. I went three times and got a bad hit every time. And this guy insisted CHs were the same as migraines, no matter how much I argued with him or brought him articles to read. He was all about pioneering this great new technique. For me, it was a colossal waste of time and money. But hey, maybe there's something new on the horizon here? One can only hope. lance