Hi all!
Does anyone else have sensitivity to light? It’s just been the last week that I can tell I’m having a flare mine always start with a sore throat and reoccurring pleurisy. But I’ve also got alot of eye pain this week. I’m very sensitive to light almost to the point it hurt to look at my screen at work. I had a great it was the hydroxychloroquine but I’ve only been on it about a month enough.
I think I have always had light sensitivity. There are times when my eyes hurt too. I don't think it is the medication as it takes 3 to 6 months to work. However it can affect your eyes after you have been on it for many years. You do need to have your eyes checked at the least once a year. I think the flare is making you extra sensitive.
Hi Jennifer,
Sensitivity to light was one of my first symptoms. I have become extremely sensitive to light, sun and fluorescent. My Rheumatologist informed me that along with the lupus, a lot of our medicines make the light sensitivity worse. He said to wear sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. This type of sunscreen forms a barrier on your skin. I use the Banana Boat Kids SPF50. I also wear UPF resistant clothing. The eye pain is also related to Lupus.
Feel better soon!
Creekbank
For your screen, you should check out f.lux (https://justgetflux.com). The color is easy to get used to, and has helped with my llight sensitivity, but I do I still find the lowest brightness on my macbook is still too bright for me (it's a 7yo laptop). There's also an app for android called twilight, which I adore. It lets you futher dim the screen in addition to changing the temperature/color of the light.
I'm also very sensitive to UV light, so being under commercial fluorescent lighting for a couple hours will trigger a rash on my face and chest unless I have sunscreen and a hat on. I look absolutely ridiculous when I go out; I usually wear some sort of bucket hat, dark sunglasses (made for climbing), long sleeves even when it's 90F outside, and I don't take the hat or sunglasses off even when I'm inside because I'll get a migraine and/or a flare. I'll admit, I look pretty funny doing that.
Do you find that the UPF clothing makes a significant difference? I've considered getting some, but they are a bit expensive...
Creekbank said:
Hi Jennifer,
Sensitivity to light was one of my first symptoms. I have become extremely sensitive to light, sun and fluorescent. My Rheumatologist informed me that along with the lupus, a lot of our medicines make the light sensitivity worse. He said to wear sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. This type of sunscreen forms a barrier on your skin. I use the Banana Boat Kids SPF50. I also wear UPF resistant clothing. The eye pain is also related to Lupus.
Feel better soon!
Creekbank
I wear shirts that have sun protection in them and they really work. I get them from Land's End and Solumbra.
I even can swim with the shirts on!
Sorry I hadn’t been on to see anyone’s replys! I went to an opthamologist just to make sure nothing was wrong the pain was so bad. Of course everything looked fine. So I will definitely be investing in some sun screen and large hats for summer.
Neutrogena makes some that works well and is gentle on skin. I react to some things used in lotions/soaps/etc but I've found that I can use Neutrogena sunscreen without any problems. They even have spray on -- I only use the lotion kind on my face because my hands just hurt way too much if I have to rub in a lotion, so I really recommend the spray if you're like me and will avoid putting sunscreen on because of pain.
Great to hear you're eyes are okay!
Jennifer said:
Sorry I hadn't been on to see anyone's replys! I went to an opthamologist just to make sure nothing was wrong the pain was so bad. Of course everything looked fine. So I will definitely be investing in some sun screen and large hats for summer.
I have found the UPF clothing to be very helpful to me. I have become so sensitive to lights, I have to wear them indoors. I am not a fan of the exercise style pants, so I went in search of UPF jeans. I found UPF 50 jeans on a website called REI.com. I purchased mine through the clearance section of the site. I normally get my shirts from Cabela's, as they have different styles. I am in search of a nicer hat to wear when I go places. My favorite hat is a large brim floppy hat for gardening, but I find it doesn't suit me for going out places. Your right, the clothing is very expensive. I usually keep looking until I find the sales on all the websites. Good luck to ya.
Creekbank
LMidg said:
Do you find that the UPF clothing makes a significant difference? I've considered getting some, but they are a bit expensive...
Creekbank said:Hi Jennifer,
Sensitivity to light was one of my first symptoms. I have become extremely sensitive to light, sun and fluorescent. My Rheumatologist informed me that along with the lupus, a lot of our medicines make the light sensitivity worse. He said to wear sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. This type of sunscreen forms a barrier on your skin. I use the Banana Boat Kids SPF50. I also wear UPF resistant clothing. The eye pain is also related to Lupus.
Feel better soon!
Creekbank
This week has been horrible for my light sensors! I live in SE Texas and while I'm glad it has stopped raining, the sunshine is gonna kill me!