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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Sunlight as trigger
        
(Message started by: kimmeesue on Jun 28^th, 2005, 5:36pm)

Title: Sunlight as trigger
Post by kimmeesue on Jun 28^th, 2005, 5:36pm

In addition to CH, I have lupus and am EXTREMELY photophobic (intolerant of the sun).
We live in a small town which necessitates we do our shopping in the closest city which is about 30 miles away, which obviously means driving, and one trip or the other is into the sun.
My pcp observed several months ago that almost every time I ended up in the ER was after a trip to Salina, eg. prolonged sun exposure.
Now, my hubby would like to believe that it is, in fact, a reaction to shopping :), and I will have to go cold turkey.
Not happenin'. :P.
But seriously, has anyone ever heard of sunlight triggering CH? I wear dark glasses and use all the precautions but doesn't seem to be enough.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by unsolved1 on Jun 28^th, 2005, 8:11pm

Sure, sunlight can trigger a CH attack for me. During an attack I am photophobic and phonophobic.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by cheNY on Jun 28^th, 2005, 8:47pm

sure, sunlight has triggered them and definitely makes them worst.
Also here in NY its extremely humid, and its sure making it worst.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 28^th, 2005, 9:16pm

I find that when I absorb a lot of reflective sun - (i.e., fishing or boating) it can trigger some seriously abusive attacks. These typically occur when I begin to relax after getting home rather than when driving home.

Tom

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 28^th, 2005, 9:36pm

It's a new one on me. However, it might explain why I would get mid-day clusters (unusual for me) last summer when I was in cycle. They always came on when I was gardening. I thought it was the heat that was triggering - maybe it was the bright sun.

Wow! But, whatever you do ... don't let go of the shopping!

Kris

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Sean_C on Jun 28^th, 2005, 10:23pm

My wife has MCTD, which includes Lupus among other illnesses, she has the same problem.

Sunlight intensifies a cluster for me, but I'm not convinced its a trigger.

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

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by BlueMeanie on Jun 28^th, 2005, 10:33pm

Sunlight is a trigger for me. I wear sunglasses all the time. Especially in cycle. I swear I must have albino eyelids. [smiley=laugh.gif], the sun pops right through them blinding me. In cycle, look out, the beast will find it's way to get me if I don't get inside fast. Gotta have those cheap sunglasses. :o

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by TxBasslady on Jun 28^th, 2005, 10:40pm

Not a trigger for me.

When I fish tournaments, I spend 9 hours in the hot Texas sun....never had a problem. I get my hits at night...always 1 1/2 hours after going to bed. However, if the sun was a factor for me, I would think I would get hit in the daytime....and I really don't wanna go there! LOL

Whatever you do......don't give up the shopping! ;;D

PF vibes...

Jean

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by bnfreeman on Jun 28^th, 2005, 10:51pm

Me too, when I'm in the car and look at a sign where the sun is reflecting off of it then it can trigger it. And if I have one, it will make it worse.

BF

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by kcopelin on Jun 29^th, 2005, 12:43am

Sunlight does not seem to be a trigger for me-when I'm getting hit, however, it does piss me off.
kathy

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Sunil Gururaj on Jun 29^th, 2005, 2:58am

This cycle, I had a couple of mid-day CH attacks.
And in this part of the world, the Sun is really piercing.
Now I guess, this is a trigger for me.

Sunil

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by yikes-another-one on Jun 29^th, 2005, 8:13am

8)

Any type of flashing lights can start one for me.

I try to avoid driving when there are "strong shadows"
you know, tree shadows across the road,
becasue as the sun flashes between the trees and bounces on the dashboard....within one hour I can have a CH.

I also had to give up temping at a bank back in 1997.
Some people who made copies wuld not close the lid while I waited behind them....and the ligth form that would have me sore within 2 hours.

I hate that the TV news even shows ambulance lights flashing at some "Breaking NEws" scenes.
They used to be wary of doing that because
flashing lights were thought to cause
Seizures....but now it seems they don't care
about that anymore, at least 2ce a day you'll see
it on ABC's newcast...some accident somewhere....

There are days when the sunglasses won't cut it...
and i am startign to feel like a cave dweller
or a vampire, because i do avoid the sun.

but you know, ya get CH whenever, so IT may be only in our minds that is is a coincidence....nothing about this
disease makes any sense anyway.

I hope you don't have to give up shopping.
That would be a nightmare in itself... ;)

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Karla on Jun 29^th, 2005, 9:48am

I think it is more the heat and humidity that trigger me. if I go oiutside to garden or have any fun in the sun I am doomed! I get hit badly and have to escape quickly.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Gena on Jun 29^th, 2005, 10:15am

The sun is a trigger for me, as well as things like stroblights. I have light shades for overcast days & dark ones for bright days. If I am in cycle I will wear a hat as well.

I went and saw the new starwars movie - everytime there was a fight with the Lightsabers I thought I was going to get hit - and I am not even in cycle.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by nani on Jun 29^th, 2005, 10:20am

Yup....direct sunlight and any kind of strobe type light.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by giffy76 on Jun 29^th, 2005, 10:25am

Oncoming headlights while driving at night have triggered a few for me, but never sunlight, thank God.

Title: Re: Sunlight as trigger
Post by Gator on Jun 30^th, 2005, 11:21am

Yup, sunlight (bright light in general, really) is a bad idea for me. I avoid driving, or riding for that matter, on sunny days and at night.