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Light therapy (concern about new symptoms)

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Posted 11/21/2009 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
On another post, there was some talk about light therapy. I have tried looking into this before but get nowhere. If someone has experience with this, could you let me know what exactly you use? What is the difference between the boxes and a regular full spectrum light bulb?  Do you have to use a special lamp or can you just use a lamp with a full spectrm bulb? There are so many things on the market, how do you know what is best? I can't afford one of those really expensive light boxes, so has anyone had good experience with a more reasonable option? Also, my eyes are very very sensitive to light. Do you have to get the light through your eyes or can you wear sun glasses?  Thanks. Sorry for the rambling.  My brain is on vacation I think... (I wish my body could follow it)

Shar

Posted 11/21/2009 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shar,

I used a light box many years ago until it got broken. But the light is white, not bright like a lightbulb. I dont' think it should bother your eyes. I was told to look at it every so often. I just sat by it while reading or watching tv and drinking my coffee in the morning for about 30-45 min. I am not sure of prices, my insurance paid for it. I am sure there are different ones, but I think mine ran around 100.00 or so. But that was close to 20 years ago. I take vitamin D3 now and it does just as good as the light box for me. It makes me feel good. But I am sure that the box can't hurt.

I hope that this helps you. Best wishes in finding one that is good but reasonable.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/21/2009 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shar!

Nice to meet you. I'm assuming you're talking about using light for SAD? I've never used one but here's what I found doing some research...

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/light-therapy/MY00195/method=print&DSECTION=all

Here's a tidbit from the article:

"During light therapy sessions, you sit or work near a light therapy box. To be effective, the light from the light box must enter your eyes indirectly. You can't get the same effect merely by exposing your skin to the light. While your eyes must be open, don't look directly at the light box because the light can damage your eyes.

Light therapy sessions are generally done each morning after you awake. Some light therapy boxes, however, are dawn simulators — they turn on in the morning while you're still asleep and gradually get brighter until you wake up. "

I did find a huge range of prices out there and some sure do seem expensive. Here are a couple of links where you can price compare. I have no financial connection to any of these locations. I'm just picking places that should be safe if you want to buy or compare online.

www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sad+light&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3286356701&ref=pd_sl_36cs4h6o40_b

health-beauty.pricegrabber.com/mobility-aids/Zadro-Sunlight-365-SAD-Therapy-Light/m65844853.html/search=sad+light+box/st=query

Hope this helps,
Chutz
Posted 11/21/2009 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information. I started taking 5htp and vitamin D a few months ago becaused I was feeling low and recently started to have some issues with my head. I'm not sure what is going on but I looked it up and found that maybe I was having a reaction to too much serotonin? I stopped taking everything a couple of days ago. I am having heart palpatations and irritable and my mind is buzzing terribly. Heaviness in my forehead region with numbing sensations and trembling. At night when I've taken my benedryl to sleep, I have been having some strange hallucination type dreaming. Bright colors and movement behind my closed eyes. It is similar to some drug experiences I had when I was a troubled teen. This is the same kind of reaction I had to the neurontin and I have not dealt well with anti-depressants. I am wondering if maybe they are having the same affect on me. I was thinking that the light box is more natural and that you can get a lot of sunlight without side effects but you can actually have problems on too many vitamin suppliments. I am a little confused but plan on talking to rheum at my appt. which is still 2 weeks away. I tried calling to see if there were any cancellations but there have not been. Has anyone else had anything like this? It is weird and it scares me. Didn't sleep last night because of it and now I feel like a truck hit me. Sorry for the rambling. Thanks.
Shar
Posted 11/22/2009 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
I actually had to give up my light box because the light does have to enter your eyes. I live where it's dark and very cold, so have been taking a lot of vitamin D every day and am getting the same benefit. I knew something (fibro) was happening a year & 1/2 ago when the light began to really hurt my eyes, and I've been using a lightbox for about 10 years. If your eyes are very sensitive to light see if you can find an alternate source of full spectrum light. One of my friends goes to an indoor botanical garden every weekend in winter because the lights for growing plants gives her the same affect without the overwhelming brightness.
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