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1637739 tn?1371688706

Does fluorescent lighting bother you?

I'm just curious if I'm the only odd one here that is bothered by fluorescent lights.  When I go to the mall or especially Walmart, I walk in feeling fine and by the time I'm finished I can't wait to get out.  I feel like I'm a battery being drained and kinda loopy the longer I'm in there.  It doesn't always happen but when I feel my MS acting up a little I definitely notice.  Do any of you experience this?  

Jeny
12 Responses
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Avatar universal
I knew this topic sounded familiar, so I did some rootling around on the forum. Here are two good threads on lighting, florescent and otherwise--

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/fluorescent-lights/show/1236984

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Disoriented--queasy-in-stores-busy-places--is-this-a-cognitive-symptom/show/1376557

ess
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Avatar universal
No you are not alone, Ed's found you some good support
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1637739 tn?1371688706
Thank you for the threads.  It's so interesting.  Wish there was a way to deal it with this better.  I get kinda panicked and it scares me.  I have some fluorescent lighting in my home that doesn't seem to other me.  I'm guessing its a combination of lights, long rows, and crowds causing this reaction.  Well as of now I tolerate it.  It will be a sad day if it stops me from shopping!  My husband might not agree with that though!  Lol

Thanks ladies,
Jeny
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987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you sure its because of the lighting, couldn't the alternative thought be mental and physical fatigue from being in those types of environment, too?

I think it doesn't take long before I'm reaching sensory overload, these places are a cacophony of sights and sound. Its also more mentally and physically exhausting dealing with my balance and visual issues in these types of environments. There is no brake from it because of having to maintain focus on the ever changing floor surfaces, stuff that's on the floors, crowds of people, shopping carts, prams etc I loose my balance or fall if i stop thinking about staying on my feet.

On Saturday i was at a big sale, i was happily looking at usually expensive bed linen that was %60 off, lol i got distracted for a moment because i love love love nice linen and i stopped thinking about staying on my feet, took a step and promptly found my self on the floor, still clutching the linen too. lol

These places are exhausting, just getting from the car to the front door and then the shopping starts. What energy i've got in the beginning , continually diminishes the longer i'm navigating through these places, lol I walk in looking pretty normal but usually leave walking the puppet walk, and no longer caring if I actually ended up getting what i went there for in the first place.

In different, less stimulating environments but with the same fluro lighting, my energy etc seems to last a lot longer, so from my perspective, its more about a combination of energy zapping things, than the lighting on its own.

Cheers......JJ  

    
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4943237 tn?1428991095
Since whatever neurological is going on with me started, I'm a complete drunk with fluoro lights, can't string a sentence together to save myself or think in the least bit straight. It also seems to be much worse when I'm in the middle of one of my 'events'.

Researching it, I've found it can occur if you've had optic neuritis with subsequent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in light reaching different parts of the brain at different times.  It's worse with the old type fluorescent lights due to the flicker but the newer ones are better because they have an electronic start and don't flicker the same.

The way I found to manage it is brown coloured polarised sunglasses.  I work in classrooms with fluoro lights and had I not been able to find a solution, it would have cost me my job.  

Poppy
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Avatar universal
jen,
try sunglasses the next time you shop and see if that helps.  I wear them all the time due to extreme light sensitivity and in some cases it helps, depends on how many there are!
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634733 tn?1316625992
I've had ON a few times and the overhead lights were one of the reasons that led to my early retirement as a lecturer.

Although I hasten to add it was not the main reason. I really struggle in any bright environment and need tinted glasses most of the time.

But also shopping malls, supermarkets, airports, I need someone to hang on too and spend as little time as possible there.

My Opthamologist says yes defo MS!
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Avatar universal
thank you poppy, you described the feelings I get far better than I could or did.  I tried in my brain to relate it to cognitive fog, but it does occur more when exposed to lights, etc., and even tho I wear prescription glasses which are tinted 24/7 or when I am awake, am finding I may need eye cover at night as my eye doctor says she thinks I don't completely close my eyes at night (never heard that but.....she picked up on my MS first) and yes, as eyesnlegs says,you need to hang on to something,  I hang onto shopping carts since am often alone.

I did not thoroughy read poppy's post or it appeared after I posted, they often cross while we are posting.
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Avatar universal
I also have had difficulty with fluorescent lights my entire life, slight vertigo, headache, light headed, fatigue, etc. With the popularity of CFLs and LEDs, my symptoms are many times worse. I can hardly go in any store that has switched to LEDs and I can’t drive on the local streets that have switched to LED street lamps. My neurologist thinks it is photophobia and migraine related. I only experience these symptoms when I’m exposed to CFLs and LEDs, I can handle all incandescent light bulbs and old school fluorescent lights bother me somewhat, the new CFLs and LEDs cause me severe problems. I think there are other people like me, but not many.
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2 Comments
You and I are in the same boat. Lights are my nemeses.
You and I are in the same boat. Lights are my nemeses.
Avatar universal
I HATE fluorescent lights. You’re not alone on this one. These lights change my respiration, pulse, vision and more. They make my entire body feel scattered, uncoordinated and buzzy. It all goes back to normal the minute I leave Walmart or work or the mall .or anywhere else w fluorescent lights. You’re not crazy and you’re not alone.

FL42 sunglasses (Rx from optometrist) help a lot. Anything that shields you’re eyes from the light and reflections of the light will help. White floors reflects the light. That’s why Walmart is hard to deal with. I get it.

Good luck!
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1 Comments
Thanks for commenting, the descriptions of your symptoms are just like mine. I have the FL42 sunglasses and I think they might help me a little but overall I don’t see much of a difference. When I can avoid LEDs and CFLs, and stay in natural light, my symptoms sort of disappear, not entirely but I feel better when I can go a day without exposure to lights that have a high flicker rate. I have 14 different kinds of sunglasses and while some help with glare, the flicker rate seems to cut right through all glasses but I’m not sure since the flicker rate of LEDs is so fast the human eye can’t detect it, but I believe it effects my neurological system. I appreciate knowing there are other people who are also bothered by those types of lights, I’m pretty much blocked out of all stores, I have about a 15 min max threshold at Walmart and all stores that use LED.  
Avatar universal
I have a horrible time w them. And for some reason Walmart and TJmax are the worst. I feel nauseated and disoriented. My research indicates that in a nutshell they flash so quickly it's not seen by the naked eye but your brain interprets it. I have to wear sunglasses in those stores now.
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1 Comments
I also have to stay from all stores that have LED or CFL lights. Migraine symptoms, and I have tried about 15 different type of sunglasses that help some with the glare but the flicker rate is my problem, the glasses don’t help me a great deal.  My only solution has been avoidance. And my local street lamps have switched to LEDs which severely limits my nighttime activity. I wish you luck!
Avatar universal
You're not the only one Jen.

I'm 21 and have been wearing Bluelight glasses pretty much everywhere I go including at home. LED lights along with electronic screens give off a high dose of Bluelight that can damage the eyes. Being a person that has had MS for 10 years now my eyes have become very sensitive. I recommend getting a pair of Bluelight glasses for anyone but especially for people with light sensitivity. The cost is pretty low and you can add them to your prescription lenses.


Below I provided links to some research on LED lights and sensitivity/ Blue light and the effect on your health / lastly, some personal accounts of wearing them.

https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/led-light-sensitivity-and-migraine/

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health#:~:text=Blue%20light%20from%20electronics%20is,what%20you%20need%20to%20know.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a20707076/blue-light-glasses/


I hope this helps!

PW,
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