Question: Can fluorescent lighting trigger Migraines?
Answer:
Full Question:
I have been on Topamax for a little over two
months now, and am up to my intended dose of 50 mg. in the a.m. and 50 mg in the p.m. I have not had a migraine since I began taking Topamax,
even in the titration period. I am still quite sensitive to the fluorescent
lighting at work, some days I get dizzy, have trouble speaking, walking, some
vision trouble (paper looks too white), have "brain fog" but now with the
Topamax there is no aura to go with these symptoms. I was hoping that the
Topamax would have taken care of this too. This was an issue before the Topamax
also, sometimes it would turn into migraines and sometimes not. Do the
fluorescent lights set off the migraines/seizures? or do the migraines make one
more sensitive to the fluorescent lights? This is just normal office lighting
with high ceilings, not lights flickering and burning out or anything. This has
been a problem with all the different office jobs I have had. Thank you for any
insight you may have. Anne
Answer:
Dear Anne;
You say you haven't had a Migraine, yet you're describing Migraine symptoms. It may be that the Topamax has reduced the severity of your Migraines, and you're still having some Migraines but in these, you are skipping the headache phase.
Yes, fluorescent lighting can be a Migraine trigger. Although it's not noticeable to you, fluorescent lighting does have a flicker, and it can trigger Migraines for some people. Here's an article you might want to take a look at:
Head
Pain at Work? Check the Lighting!
If you find that you have more headaches and Migraines while at work, it
may be the office lighting. Traditional office lighting generally presents
two potential headache and Migraine triggers: glare from overhead
incandescent lighting and flicker from fluorescent lighting tubes.
Good luck,
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz
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Published May 1, 2006
