Disorientation From Fluorescent Lights, Computers, Televisions

[Webulos]

For the past three years I have been experiencing severe disorientation when using computer monitors and large HD televisions. I also experience this when entering a building that uses fluorescent lighting. When I am outdoors or even in my apartment and not using a computer or television, I feel absolutely fine and very clear headed, almost to the point of being overwhelmed by the clarity. I am a law student and therefore spend a great deal of time both on the computer and in a fluorescently lit classroom. The condition is affecting my academic capacity and, more importantly, my general quality of life. I can't write papers or take notes on a word processor, I can't go to the movie theater, I can't watch a basketball game without being so confused I can't even figure out the score! It's like my brain just freezes. This all started after I had a severe panic attack in 2008. My vision was choppy for days and though that eventually cleared up, I began getting really sick at work, which, sure enough, was a Barnes and Noble with fluorescent lighting. It took several months to realize what the triggers were, and I've just coped with things since, but enough is enough. Any thoughts on what the hell is going on?

[Chukfi_Tobi]

Hi Webulos!  I plan on following your progress in seeking a diagnosis and treatment.  I've posted the below in 2 areas of this community and have discovered that it seems the most people affected are in the multiple sclerosis forum.  Go there and read what people are sharing about the horrific effects of fluorescent lights on their lives.  Here's what I posted:

Is there any treatment for the effect of fluorescent lights on a person?  Since I was a pre-teen, if I'm in a place with fluorescent lights on the ceiling, I start to feel like I'm asleep and dreaming, I can't think straight, can't remember what I came in for, and can't remember how to get out.  I've tried to force myself to deal with it so I could shop in stores like WalMart, Macy's, etc., but the longer I'm there, the more disoriented I become, sometimes to the point where I feel like I'm tumbling forward, and sometimes I get tunnel vision and am close to losing consciousness.  When it gets to that point, I head for the door.  It's very frustrating and very scary.  As soon as I'm in natural light again, I'm fine. The pinkish fluorescent lights immediately send me into a barely conscious state, and the white ones hit me after just a couple of minutes.  I've wondered if it has something to do with the oscillating nature of the lights, combined with possibly some white noise creating a sensory overload.  Please give me any thoughts you have on this problem.  It negatively affects my daily living.  Thank you!

[FurballsMom]

I would certainly post the question with the neurology community.  I would also try doing a google search of all the major symptoms you experience and see if you can find some more information that way.

[Webulos]

I checked out the other symptoms from silent migraines, and I don't appear to have any of them beyond the confusion, thankfully. My symptoms are extreme disorientation, extremely dry eyes, flushing of the face, fatigue, and a headache. It's all situated around the ballpark of the head and brain, but I'm not sure if it would be classified as a migraine if I can control whether or not I get them by simply going outside. I'm under fluorescent lighting right now as I type this (ugh...), and I know that as soon as I get out of this class and get outside I'll feel great, no medicine needed. If I can just figure out why I get sick and confused under these particular conditions, I'll be home free. Thanks for the help; I plan on updating this entry routinely as I go to various doctors and get on the path to beating this, so feel free to throw in anything else that comes to mind.

[FurballsMom]

Yeah, and one other thing that I don't think you'll find the information anywhere:  The areas in the brain that are experiencing migraines are the same areas that seizure activity in epileptics is activated.  A friend of mine who has epilepsy has a daughter with migraine issues.  She has seen the brain scans of both herself and her daughter side by side.  The scans looked nearly identical.  She is the one who told me what her own neurologist said:  migraines are really like having a seizure inside of the brain without the visible outward signs of seizures like petite mals and grand mals.  Everyone with epilepsy or migraines who I have ever met say exactly what we both said about strobe lights.  And, yes, they can trigger seizures.  They definitely trigger migraines for me.  I avoid them like the plague, because I hate migraines.  I don't understand what the attraction is for strobe lights or other flashing lights myself.

Video games have been known to cause kids with unknown issues to have seizures, so it makes sense to me that a strobe light could cause a seizure, too, since those things really bother me as much as they do.  Especially when played for hours at a time like you mentioned having done in the past.  I find that if I'm traveling in a vehicle that is going past something that breaks up light, like a picket fence, on a sunny day and the sun is shining through this type of object that for me this creates the same kind of effect as a strobe light does.

[Webulos]

Thanks for the quick response. I'll do some research and report back. This was never a problem prior to that panic attack. I could watch movies and play video games all day and just feel the normal "tired eyes" sensation. Such a shame. And yes, strobe lights are infinitely worse, to the point of inducing seizures.

[FurballsMom]

Research "Silent Migraines" and see if the other symptoms affect you.  I don't deal well with certain types of fluorescent lighting either.  For me it sort of depends on the angle of the lighting and the floor plan of the store.  Warehouse style stores are the worst.  My own apartment sort of ***** in a way, because there is no other type of lighting available with the type of light fixtures the housing authority decided to use.  Incandescent doesn't do this, but is is being phased out to my own chagrin.  People aren't really being given a choice in the matter, even when there is a neurological issue such as this involved.

I would definitely advice flashing lights, such as strobe lights.  They're a thousand times worse or more.