Migraine

I've discovered over the last few years, that I probably from having a million, to absolutely no triggers at all. Anything from caffeine, exercise to something as simple as getting up in the morning has set off migraines for me.

Unfortunately, I've found that going into the sunlight without very dark sunglasses is one of my Surest triggers! I'm absolutely petrified to let the sunlight hit me in the eye. (I've also found TV, and Computer glare a problem also.) This is (Thankfully) usually avoidable, unless I'm overly excited and run out the door without thinking.

I wonder if there's anyone else as frightened of all things bright as I am...

Hi there,

Triggers can be tough to manage. Have you ever tried keeping a Migraine diary? This may help you narrow some down, see what other things may be triggering an attack and what medications may or may not be working to stop and or prevent your Migraines. You can down load our free Migraine diary HERE

I hope this helps.

Quite a few of us around here aren't on the friendliest of terms with the sun. For me, though, it's being wired for sound that's my downfall. I can be so sensitive sometimes it will agitate me, particularly if it's noise directly behind me, or if there's a whining or buzzing quality to it. The other day my Gram was folding a piece of newspaper up, standing a couple of feet behind me. I nearly went through the roof and got all skin crawly. It felt like she was folding it and it was rustling and crackling right in my ear canal. I feel it as well as hear it. It can be really unnerving.

Something that helps me with strong sunlight and other glare is polarizing sunglasses. They don't have to be very dark, as the polarizing plastic cuts more glare than the UV filtering plastics do for me.
Polarizing filters also help me with fluorescent lights, computer monitors, TV's, and other such lights.
I buy the polarizing clip-ons at Wal-Mart for about $10 a pair. I've found inexpensive polarizing film online.
Wearing a hat outdoors helps, too.
Rebecca, The Island Mama

Yep, I hate sunlight too. I live in the dark as well. One of my major triggers is going out into the daylight. As soon as the light hits the eye, my eyes ache, and from there it's over.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one so sensitive. Living in the dark, I tend to feel quite alone.

I'm definitely going to do the diary thing again. I'm Loving the idea of the polarizing film for my sunglasses also!

Thank you all!!

quote:

Originally posted by Leeloo:
Yep, I hate sunlight too. I live in the dark as well. One of my major triggers is going out into the daylight. As soon as the light hits the eye, my eyes ache, and from there it's over.

It's good to know I'm not the only one living in the dark. I've avoided the direct sunlight for years, but I do accidentally get hit once in a while, and like you said, it's all over then. Especially if the sun hits me in the eye...

Good Morning,

Sunlight isn't as big of a problem for me as glare. Though un-natural light during and after a migraine is a huge problem.

I do find with computers that if I use a regular monitor (not a laptop) I can adjust the contrast and brightness. That has helped me alot when I need to continue to work after a migraine.

I'm blond and blue eyed and have had to wear sunglasses year round forever due to glare. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are lifesaves. I particularly like styles that wrap around the sides to keep the light and/or glare from slipping in.

Take care,
Cindy

I hate the sun. I am thinking about becoming a vampire, but until then it is sunglasses the moment I step outside. I am extremely sensative to light and just going outside can make a migraine worse or trigger one. But I also need my specks because when I have aura snow, with all the billions of sparkles, without my sunglasses it is rather hard to see, all grainy and sunglasses help dim the sparkles. Since I am a hermit, it is hardly suprising my house resembles a cave... as little light as possible, and what there is is indirect lighting.... now only if I can get work to set up to my specified requirements I would be set.

I also hate the sun, and I've been asked whether I'm a vampire! And it's true, I did live for two years in a bedroom with no mirror. . . .

It sometimes seems to me that any kind of weather triggers a migraine for me. Heat and sun are migraine triggers for me, and so are electrical storms and sudden drops in barometric pressure.

The hard thing for me is saying "no" to outdoor picnics and meetings. But my health is at stake, and I have to do what I have to do.

Initially I also thought that the sun triggered me, it seemes especially potent in the afternoon when I'm in my car, heading home after a day at the office and the afternoon sun hits me full in the face. I soon realised that this wasn't entirely true, as it also happened while driving at night. My issue with sun is more related to my poor eyesight. I usually drive with my glasses, but when I'm in the passenger seat I'll tend not to wear my glasses. The blur of cars and traffic lights (glare at night!) triggers me immediately. Maybe because I then squint too much to get things into focus. The sun then only exacerbates the problem to the point where I get car sick, and have a migraine later on.

It does get very hot here in Johannesburg during the summer though, and I have found that intense heat makes me nauseous and can trigger a migraine too. So as I result I always wear my glasses (or contact lenses) when I travel in a car, and I stay out of the sun if I think it's too hot outside.

It's working so far!

Anything bright is a huge problem for me. Sun is not my friend. I've always been pretty photophobic and sun sensitive (I'm Irish with pale skin and very light eyes) I don't go out between 10am and 4pm pretty much ever, and in summer that goes to 6pm.

If I do go outside, I have Oxblood red sunglasses that I got at the optometrist. Huge J-Lo size shades. I have considered getting cataract glasses and stick on rhinestones tho! I also have a huge sun hat and a parasol. Yup, parasol. (You can buy really cute ones on eBay! LOL. I have a leopard print one and a black and white polka dot one with ruffles ) Even still, I have to limit being outside in the summer as much as possible b/c if the sun doesn't get me the heat will!

Florescents are a big problem for me as well. I work from home so it isn't a problem unless I'm in the office for some reason. I'm well known for wearing my shades in the office if the light starts to bother me.

As for my apartment, black blinds and dark purple thick brocade curtains, both of which are always drawn. I have one 45 watt lightbulb. Thats it. I live in a cave

LOL on all the vampire comments! I get that all the time! Esp since I'm a goth girl running around in black with a parasol all the time

Btw, Cornflake girl.... Tori Amos reference, right? I Tori.

@ Katinthecorner:

Florescent lights are a major problem for me too. Unfortunately I'm office-based and can't do much about it, however, I have asked to be moved to a desk that isn't directly underneath one of these lights.

My colleagues and superiors are very supportive of me and luckily it's not an issue. I've been very fortunate and in a good year I'll only have to leave the office three or four times due to a migraine attack and then only if I can't control the symptoms with my medication. A colleague of mine is also a migraine sufferer, and we usually drive each other home in case of a migraine. And she always understands, so I don't feel like I need to explain myself or how bad I feel. If it's particularly bad my husband will fetch me and we'll go to the hospital's emergency unit, which is fortunately only two blocks from my office.

Tori Amos is fantastic. "Fantabulous" as we say down here

Hi Cornflakegirl,

I don't know if I've welcomed you to MyMigraineConnection yet, Welcome!

We have an article on managing Migraines and Lighting at work that may be helpful for you: Migraines at Work? Check the Lighting.

I hope this helps, and we hope to hear more from you.