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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Computer Screens and CH
        
(Message started by: Limey on Jul 16^th, 2005, 1:36pm)

Title: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Limey on Jul 16^th, 2005, 1:36pm

Does anyone here find that staring too long at a PC screen, especially late at night can cause a bad CH later on in the night. It's happened to me a few times, especially when I do it long past my usual bedtime and especially when I'm beating tiredness to get something completed. I'd be intersted to see if it happens to others?

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 16^th, 2005, 1:43pm

Actually I think that getting to a computer screen and focusing on something helps me get through attacks much faster.

TOm

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by yikes-another-one on Jul 16^th, 2005, 2:56pm

:-X

don't say it.

You know I had to give up temping at a bank
because their computers were so old the screen
refreshed itself too slowly...

the flashing lights from their screens were cuasing severe headaches.

and I couldn't wait in line att he copier because if
the person ahead of me didn't hold the lid down tightly
enough, the lights from that would cause a ch within a half hour.

i cannot even drive on really sunny days
without having trouble later

AVOID flashing lights, sunlight all lights = baaad

I feel like the little Pet "Gizmo" from Gremlins.
"ahhhhh bright light, brightlight....noooooo"

Maybe having other lights on, reduces the glare
and flashing form the computer. Definitely avoid movies and games. Do more researching and chatting...
wink....

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Limey on Jul 16^th, 2005, 4:06pm

Crikey, I think Burnt-Toast must have very mild attacks as I can't even open my eye to focus on anything if I'm actually in the middle of an attack and I know from others posts I'm not alone. I'ver certainly noticed a lot of my KIP 10's are a few hours after a late night on the PC but it could possibly be coincidence. As for what I do in the middle of an attack the only thing I'm capable of is thumping the sofa with my eyes shut.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by hdido on Jul 16^th, 2005, 4:47pm

I often get bad hits after using a computer; I can be looking at the screen for up to an hour without any problems and then as soon as I stop, WHAM. Other times I cannot use the screen for more than 5 minutes or so, particularly if I am having an attack when I start. Can't figure out the reasons for this.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 16^th, 2005, 5:05pm

on 07/16/05 at 16:06:03, Limey wrote:

I wish I could make what you think my reality. During attacks I'm either movin' or focusin' on anything that will help me make em' go away. When I was unresponsive to Abortives, my second neuro gave me a light to stare into (focus on) - eventually I started using my PC monitor for the same purpose. Believe what you want but Spider Solitar helps by forcing me focus and concentrate on a lighted object. Its not easy but it helps by either shortening the duration or maybe forcing me to not concentrate on attacks.

Outside of the usual grimace - I am unable to close my eyes at any time during attacks. Paper towels take care of nose and eye drainage and hot cups of tea washed over my upper right teeth and gums somehow helps me get through em'

Tom

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Ueli on Jul 16^th, 2005, 9:34pm

Get a TFT monitor. They don't flicker like a CRT. :D

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by duerrs on Jul 17^th, 2005, 5:19am

i thought of the computer screen theory but dismissed it cause my attack are only for 6 weeks give or take a week, i'm pain free for 10 to 12 months after that. I would think that if the computer screens were to blame, my attacks would be chronic. I'm not a doctor so what do i know, then again, what do they know either

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 18^th, 2005, 7:18am

By the way - I am staring into a 19" flat plasma monitor. Maybe Ueli hit of something - the type of screen may make a difference - just sittng here and realizing that this screen looks like something backlit by a bright but soft white light.

Tom

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by maffumatt on Jul 18^th, 2005, 4:40pm

my O2 is set up by the computer, its a ritual for me to log on as I am getting hit, unless its a 9 or 10. I look at the posts and for some sick selfish reason I find comfort knowing I am not alone.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Margi on Jul 18^th, 2005, 4:59pm

Mike's o2 is by the computer too, in the cool basement. He never used to be able to be near the computer but we have a newer screen now too. Ueli's most likely right about the flickering. No way could Mike sit at the old computer during an attack. Once he's hooked up to the oxygen, he opens up Freecell and tries to get through a game. I think it has a lot to do with just forcing himself to stay calm through the attack. Freecell is just glorified solitaire, not exactly rocket science stuff that really involves a lot of concentration. Redirecting his mind from the pain, though, as Tom says in his posts here. I think there's a lot to that. Damn tough to do though, I know.

There are still times, though, if o2 doesn't abort for him that he pushes himself away from the computer and just sits as quiet as he can and slowly rocks back and forth until it passes. For Mike, it's all about staying as calm as possible during attacks. HUGE in his defense plan. Toughest lesson to learn too.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Topical on Jul 18^th, 2005, 9:13pm

Fluorescent lighting can also be a problem for some. I would move to a LCD screen. The prices have gone down greatly. Squnting may be a possible trigger. I usually don't get hit during the day but did get a bad one when I was at the beach.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by AussieBrian on Jul 19^th, 2005, 12:17am

I'd been PF for ages and one evening I was watching a TV program about Chaos Theory. At one stage they showed some whizz-bang computer imagery and it was like plunging through a muti-coloured cosmos and twisting slightly at the same time.

Whammo!! Straight out nowhere there's a kip9, lasted all of ten minutes, then PF again for months.

The identical thing happened some years later. Bright sunlit day and I was looking at a film of oil swirling in some water. Woompa! Gotcha again!!

Ah, well. There's no accounting for the beast.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 19^th, 2005, 9:02am

on 07/19/05 at 00:17:45, AussieBrian wrote:

Ah, well. There's no accounting for the beast.

Well put!

The more I read the more I realize how much this nightmare likes to mix things up.

Catching and holding a greased pig is no easy task.

Tom

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Jul 21^st, 2005, 10:28am

I sit in front of a computer 8 hours a day five days a week.

I don't think I've ever been triggered by it but CH is a weird beast and does things differently with everybody.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jul 22^nd, 2005, 5:03pm

it is pretty rare, but when i am already tired late at night, the computer screen seems to induce a CH. I use a flat panel at work, and they say that gives off much less harmful light than a regular CRT monitor, but i have a 19in CRT at home. Definately when i get attacked I can not look at the computer screen. Even if I could, i couldnt focus on the text or whatever.
PF wishes
BMonee

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Limey on Aug 6^th, 2005, 4:11pm

A slight mis-understanding! A couple of you saying that you often use a computer without probs and that accounts for me too. I wasn't suggesting that PC screens 'cause' CH's but that they can trigger them whilst already in a cycle or make a looming CH much worse than it would have been if I'd stayed off the computer. They certainly seem to mke a bad night worse.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by LeLimey on Aug 7^th, 2005, 4:59am

Hi Limey,
I can't say I've ever had problems with the PC but I use either a laptop or a tft screen at home now and as the others say it does help. I also find games such as spider solitaire "help"..
But if I try to watch TV.. yikes now THAT is a different story! TV can and does send me right off the edge of the sofa sometimes (not all the time I hasten to add)
One thing I do know though is that TV's in the US are different to here though (no I'm not being silly everyone!! ::) ) They use a different amount of lines per screen or something like that as I found it very difficult to look at the telly at all when in the US.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 7^th, 2005, 5:42am

Here is maybe something that can shed a bit of "light" on some of us clusterheads' heads. This may be relevant although this is for epilepsy. Some of us have used epilepsy meds, some are diabetic, some have epilepsy and ch and some of us have family histories of either diabetics or epilepsy.

http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/info/leaflets/photo.cfm

Amazing how many clusterheads play solitaire or spider solitaire!!! :o ;;D

Here is another alternative solitaire game that's just as addictive:

http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=ningpo&src=gamestack

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by floridian on Aug 7^th, 2005, 5:46pm

When I go around trouble-shooting on other people's computers, I am often amazed at the flicker. And ordinary mortals don't seem to see it - their brains operate at a lower frequency!! Most newer monitors can have the refresh rate bumped upwards - 65 cycles per second is brutal on my brain, but 85 Herz is ok.

To increase the refresh rate:
Right click on the desktop, choose 'properties' and then 'settings.' There is an 'advanced' button near the bottom of the settings page. Click advanced, then choose the 'monitor' tab. Push the refresh rate as high as that puppy will go. You might have to reduce the color depth, depending on your hardware, but unless you are looking at photos, this probably doesn't matter (ordinary programs work fine on a simpler color palette).

Hope it helps someone.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by brainfreeze on Aug 7^th, 2005, 8:13pm

When I was chronic, I noticed that looking at any illuminated screen was bothersome (television or computer). I can't say if it ever provoked an attack but looking at them did cause discomfort.

Title: Re: Computer Screens and CH
Post by aradon on Aug 12^th, 2005, 7:53pm

Ive found that computer screens bear no effect on how my attacks happen, i even cut out computers for 3 months (before, during and after "time") and still they came, was pleasantly relieved that it wasnt the computers as i work on them but gutted had to cross of another potential trigger :(