Does anyone have issues with flourescent lights? I get really achy every day when I’m at work and I think it’s due to the lighting. I know it’s like artificial sunlight and I feel like I have the flu when I’m out in the actual sun.?Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.
You are not alone. I have the same problem. Even the grocery store is hard to shop at because of the lighting. Hugs to you !! Sandy
Hi Tiffany,
I know that my friend had trouble lights, as well as sunlight. Too much sunlight can cause flare ups so she use to where hats out sometimes, or she would not stay exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. We used soft bulbs in the house and when she was at work she would use one of those screens that you put over your computer monitor because this light was harmful as well. She would feel fatigued and have headaches and other pains (like joint) when exposed to lighting like this. Her first initial flare that led her to going to the hospital and being diagnosed was while she was at a football game. It is important that you note changes in your body at different times of the day, when in different environments, and how you feel after say eating or drinking certain beverages. If it's one thing I learned from her it was being self aware. This will help you to avoid some of the complications that can come with lupus. I hope that I have been of some help to you. BTW I speak about my friend the way I do because she is very healthy now. Her lupus is in remission due to a successful kidney transplant.
I also have the same problem with indoor lighting. I have talked to my dermatologist about the florescent lights at work. She suggested I get a light shield to go over the lights. I have requested the light shields but my manager will not get any for me, tells me to wear a cap to cover my face. I was diagnosed with lupus 1 month after I started working full time under these lights. I still believe the lights play a big role with my malar rash on my face. I also seem to get real itchy when I get hot at work also. I can’t go out into the sun without a hat and long sleeve shirt. I love the looks I get when it’s 90 outside and im wearing a longsleeve shirt. I used to love summer and tan all the time, not anymore. I also wear a tank top under my shirt when I go to work because I get rashes on my back and I believe it’s from the lights. Best wishes
Yes you clearly are not alone as fluorescent lights throw out same stuff bothers us from the sun. LED's are okay. Regular light bulbs that are old fashioned were okay as well but they are eliminating them.
Your work should supply the light shield but what i tried and it did work, was just not have my desk under the lights. Once i moved my desk so it was few feet away, plus wore sunscreen daily...back than most moisturizers did not have sun screen built in so i work moisturizer than sun screen daily. That did seem to help my face from getting the rash.
I will say this, that at my large employer ( thousand plus), they usually did supply health equipment some employees needed due to health reasons but was caused by their building...such as one woman had respiratory issues and they bought a filter to place near her desk to keep scents from bothering her as well as small paper particles.
BUT in the winter, if i cannot get out due to bad weather, i do have sun lamp which i will read under for a bit so i get Vit D naturally. It does not bother me but i use it only few hours at most per week even than.
So you are not alone, and if most people have sun sensitivity usually have the same from fluorescent lights. SOooo remember this also while out shopping...i often just have my hat on and keep it on since so many do have those in their stores.
So you can try keeping your hat on if okay at your job too! It normally is easy thing to fix and was well known by rheum even in 1980's! so good luck!!
Lights are a nightmare for me and I have not been diagnosed with lupus but have autoimmune disease plus lyme disease and immune deficiency. The computer affects me the most, hence, I am not on forums very much anymore. Overhead lighting, any lighting drains me, gives me headaches, swells my eyes and flares my pain. This happens in a matter of minutes.
Here's a few links regarding EMF. I have done as much as I know how to reduce it in my environment. I feel dramatically better when I stay off computer and TV alone.
http://www.organicbaby.co.nz/articles/ecoliving/emf.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamps_and_health
http://lupus.gameguythinks.com/fluorescent-light-bulbs-and-lupus/
Ally
Thank you all for responding! I thought I was going crazy for a minute. I will see if they can accommodate me at work. I hope so because I am beginning to flare more often and the pain is getting worse.