I saw an article today about light therapy used for Cluster headaches...a small study.  Has anyone tried this?  I don't remember ever seeing this on here.

Joni

I turn them off and that helps.

I'm with Don on this one: The less light the better!

During June and July - at the maximum of daylight duration - I had the worst period in my cluster experience, going through 2 - 3 oxygen tanks a week (each 4000 liters). Now, with daylight duration reduced to only about 10 hours, I'm back to my old routine, needing oxygen only 2 or 3 times a week.


Quote:

I saw an article today about light therapy used for Cluster headaches...a small study.

Joni, I'm sorry to say, your information is rather meager. Where did you see this article (link)? Who are the authors, a research institute with good name or the guys trying to sell some daylight lamps? What was the sample size, what the result and what the conclusion? Inquiring minds want to know ;)


                 [smiley=smokin.gif]

Is this mystery study in referance to circadian rhythm ?

There are references to the use of bright light therapy as a treatment for Cluster Headaches, unfortunately none of these references are very detailed.  A Dr. Lee Kudrow from the California Medical Clinic for Headache in Encino was doing some work back in the 90's.  This might provide a starting point for doing some research by those that are interested.

My experience...
I had a Neurologist (back in the 90's) loan me a bright light box (several lights muted by an opaque screen) that I used for about 90 days.  The device provided no relief. 

But... since it's common for everyone to experience different results from the plethora of treatments available, it might be worth it for some to take a shot.  Certainly a lot cheaper and safer than than the meds. we get to play with.

Joni, keep posting your questions/suggestions and maybe we'll stumble on something that works for all of us.   

burnt-toast
(Tom)   

i dont have a problem with normal light but a bright direct light is uncomfortable for me eg. car headlights in rear view mirror, looking directly into lamps at close distance etc but sitting in a room with the lights on doesnt bother me.
the Halo over my wifes head can be annoying and not because of the brightness  ;)

Mark (glad my wife doesnt read my comments)

burnt-toast wrote on Oct 18^th, 2009 at 10:37am:

There are references to the use of bright light therapy as a treatment for Cluster Headaches, unfortunately none of these references are very detailed.  A Dr. Lee Kudrow from the California Medical Clinic for Headache in Encino was doing some work back in the 90's.  This might provide a starting point for doing some research by those that are interested. My experience... I had a Neurologist (back in the 90's) loan me a bright light box (several lights muted by an opaque screen) that I used for about 90 days.  The device provided no relief.  But... since it's common for everyone to experience different results from the plethora of treatments available, it might be worth it for some to take a shot.  Certainly a lot cheaper and safer than than the meds. we get to play with. Joni, keep posting your questions/suggestions and maybe we'll stumble on something that works for all of us.    burnt-toast (Tom)

Thanks, Tom.  That is the study I was referring to.  My doctor had run across it and printed it out for me.  It is interesting and I thought if it really worked, someone here surely had tried it.  Just curious.  I have heard so many crazy things over the years that I am usually uninterested, but it is best to leave no stone unturned.  I sure do appreciate the medical doctors who care enough to do those studies!  I learned from teaching science that when your hypothesis doesn't match your conclusion , you have to choose another one and keep going.

Thanks again
Joni   

Here is a link to the article I read.  Sorry you have to copy and paste.

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Joni

I know Lenny, from this MB, sees Kudrow and to my knowledge he has never prescribed light therapy for him.  Kudrow must have given up on this idea.