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The Kitchen Table

Migraines caused by CFL's?

16 years ago

Has anyone experienced bad headaches caused by CFL's? I got an Ott light for Christmas to use when doing needlepoint or cross stitch. I started having headaches, but didn't put two and two together for awhile. The worse I felt, the more I sat around and cross stitched, LOL. And with my head about 12-16 inches from the lamp, I might add.

The headaches grew increasingly worse and after about a week, it was a full-blown migraine with nausea and dizziness. Then I recalled reading once that these types of bulbs cause headaches in some people, so I quit using the lamp about three days ago. The worst of the headaches went away and the nausea is pretty much gone, but I still have some headache and some dizziness/light-headedness. I'm hoping it will fade away in a few more days, but I'm surprised that it is taking so long to completely recover.

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Comments (7)

Toni S
16 years ago
I don't have a scientific answer but I do know I only use the warm CFL's because the blue lights make me feel bad. It's more the perception I'm sure but I always double check that I have the warm color to live under. DD has a lamp on her desk like yours. I can handle it for a while.
soxxxx
16 years ago
I do not know what a CFL light is, but my migraine headaches are light induced - too bright a light, light flashing in a mirror, sun reflecting off an automobile rear window when I am driving. So it is quite possible the cause. I hope you are much better by now. Let us M sufferers know if you prove the CFL is the cause.
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tami_ohio
16 years ago
DD can not use an Ott light for the same reason. I have a floor model that I had to quit using after a couple of years because there were days it would give me a headache. I also have a problem with flourescent lighting sometimes. It was especially bad when I was in school years ago. God forbid if I get stuck somewhere where one is flickering due to a bad tube!

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mariend
16 years ago
I am asuming that you are talking about the Ott Lights. I do have a small one and used it for several years while traveling in the trailer, but not for long periods. I have used it here, but again not for long periods. No problems, but if I did get headaches, was not aware of the connection. Will watch future activity.
joann23456
16 years ago
Well, I use CFL's in virtually every socket in my house and also suffer from migraines, so I wouldn't say mine are caused by CFL's. Like Soxxxx, mine are triggered by light, usually a flash of bright light or reflected sun. Is the Ott light brighter than you're used to? I would think *that* could trigger migraines, regardless of the source of light.
wildchild
16 years ago
I don't know if they cause migraines but if they flicker at all they can.

I don't get light induced migraines but years ago I remember that every single time DH and I went to a certain Sear's store I would get irritable and we would get into arguments. For a long time we joked the store was cursed.LOL It was only several years later after they remodeled I realized they had the older florescent lights with that weird color. Then I started noticing that I often felt "twitchy" in other places lit with florescent bulbs depending on the color. It's probably one reason I don't enjoy shopping like some people do.

Since restaurants have been putting CFLs in their pendant lights over the tables I notice I no longer want to linger especially when they are not shielded. I've entirely stopped going to one I used to go to all the time because of the lighting. I don't just pay for food but also ambiance, even in a diner. In restaurants with ceiling down lights I try to avoid sitting where they are in my direct line of vision. The flicker drives me nuts.

I just went out and picked up several more packages of incandescent Reveals on sale. Apparently they are phasing them out and introducing a "long life version". Same wattage but fewer lumens per watt and a higher price. I'm hoarding all the basics I can get my hands on.
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
I've used CFLs since they were introduced....never had a migraine or any other type of headache.

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