Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 Has anyone tried light therapy with a lightbox? Experiences and procedures would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 Hi All, I tried lightbox therapy many years ago. I cannot say whether it helped me or not. My therapist had a kind of meditation room in his apartment. It had a rock garden with water flowing over them and the sound was very relaxing. He also had a light box installed. On the other hand, I feel that I have had SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) When the fall comes and the natural light exposure starts to decrease, I start to feel " low " . What seems to help is to be in very well lit rooms. I have used halogen floor lamps, where the light is reflected off the ceiling. I don't like glaring light. I once tried those " full spectrum " replacement incandescent lamps. I forget the name. I found that the light was uncomfortably glaring. Luckily, I was able to return it. It was about ten dollars for a hundred watt lamp. It's possible that if that lamp was used with some type of shade that it might have worked. We are all different and we have to be innovative and experiment. One word of caution. Halogen lamps are supposed to get very hot and often have to have heat shields, like a special glass cover. I would think that as long as the lamp has a UL label it would be ok. One should keep anything flammable away from the lamp like curtains and drapes as an example. I have seen special halogen lamps that are direct replacement for incandescent lamps. In that case one should be really careful that the socket and / or area can handle the heat. I think that the floor lamps are the safest. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 Yes..I use a lightbox starting in the fall and going to early spring. I think it helps with my moods and gives me a bit more energy, if you can call it that. There is some thought that it may improve immune function but I've only used it two years so I can't really say for sure yet.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2002 Report Share Posted July 3, 2002 I've used a lightbox from fall to late spring for several years. I used to have to increase my antidepressant dosage due to SAD, but got to the point where I couldn't handle the side effects of the higher dosages. The lightbox helps the SAD. I have no idea whether it helps with non-SAD fatigue or depression, but it wouldn't hurt to try it (unless you use it after about 3 pm, in which case it could easily disrupt your sleep cycle!). -- el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song that the morning brings... " " One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. " - Gail Godwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2002 Report Share Posted July 4, 2002 Thanks , For your experience with light boxes. Where did you get your from? Thanks A Re: Lightbox Therapy > I've used a lightbox from fall to late spring for several > years. I used to have to increase my antidepressant dosage > due to SAD, but got to the point where I couldn't handle the > side effects of the higher dosages. The lightbox helps the > SAD. I have no idea whether it helps with non-SAD fatigue > or depression, but it wouldn't hurt to try it (unless you > use it after about 3 pm, in which case it could easily > disrupt your sleep cycle!). > > -- > > el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA > " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song > that the morning brings... " > > " One is taught by experience to put a premium > on those few people who can appreciate you > for what you are. " - Gail Godwin > > > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2002 Report Share Posted July 4, 2002 Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry. I am inclined to try lightbox therapy once I clear it with my doctor (Dr. Lapp) and get specific instructions on what to do with it. My particular problem is not seasonal (I live in Los Angeles) but I have horrible sleep patterns and thus experience frequent radical time shifting. I thought the lightbox might be of some assisistance in regularizing my clock and also creating an improved mood (there was an article in the LA Times in the last few days on depression and lightbox therapy was favorably mentioned). For those interested, a company called Apollo (www.apollolight.com) claims to be the leading maker of lightboxes and of those used in research studies. It looks as though an adequate one can be purchased for $237 (I am not handy enough to make one nor do I have the confidence that I would be able to make one with the right therapeutic value). They also seem to offer the ability to return the item anytime prior to November 1 so it appears pretty risk free (although I am sure once I call them I will find out about some horrible restocking fee lol). Just thought I would let you know what I was planning. Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2002 Report Share Posted July 5, 2002 Adam Fields wrote: > Thanks , > > For your experience with light boxes. Where did you get your from? > > The one I'm using now I got from Alaska Northern Lights, off their website (do a Google search for it). There may be cheaper ones, but this one works for me. -- el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song that the morning brings... " " One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. " - Gail Godwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2002 Report Share Posted July 5, 2002 slappykk wrote: > Just thought I would let you know what I was planning. Any further > thoughts would be appreciated. > I don't know if you're in the same boat I am, but I get frequent migraines, so I have to be careful about looking into bright lights! What works for me is to set the light box on the floor about 4-6 feet in front of my rocking chair. (After I take my morning ENADA and thyroid, I put on music and do 30-80 minutes of my " rocking chair workout " every morning.) The diminished intensity (due to distance) and the change in angle of the light are compensated for by a longer exposure time. I can handle this setup on all days except when I am in the full throes of a raging migraine, in which case both the rocking and the light trigger nausea, and I give up, take my meds, and go back to bed :@( -- el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song that the morning brings... " " One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. " - Gail Godwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2002 Report Share Posted July 5, 2002 Here is something I saved from two years ago - might still be helpful! Subject: Light Box Suppliers Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 21:24:57 -0700 From: " D. Cumming " <pcumming1@...> Reply-egroups <egroups> If anyone on the list is interested in trying out bright light therapy to eliminate or stabilize their depressions, here is the information: Notes: 1) A tilt stand accessory is a must. 2) If the light box is not going to be moved, a carrying case is unnecessary. 3) 10,000 lux is the research standard strength that has been proven effective. 4) Most suppliers offer between 30 and 60 days to try the light out to see if it will stabilize your depression, if not, a full refund except for shipping is offered. 5) http://www.sltbr.org/ The Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms is a not-for-profit international organization founded in 1988, dedicated to fostering research, professional development and clinical applications in the fields of light therapy and biological rhythms. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seventeen suppliers of light therapy boxes: Alaska Northern Lights - Neil Wagner, P. O. Box 1801, Homer, AK 99603 (800) 880-6953 <http://www.akms.com/nlights/index.htm>http://www.akms.com/nlights/index.htm E-Mail: nlights@... --- Amjo Lights Corp., PO Box 1002, Saint , Illinois, 60174 877-BUY-AMJO (877-289-2656), 630-584-7117, Fax: 630-584-0335 <http://www.sadlight.com/>http://www.sadlight.com/ E-Mail: Support@... --- Apollo Light Systems, Inc., 352 West 1060 South, Orem, Utah 84058 (800) 545-966, (801) 226-2370 <http://www.apollolight.com/>http://www.apollolight.com/ E-Mail info@... --- Bio-Brite, Inc., 7315 Wisconsin Ave.Suite 1300 W., Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone:800-621-LITE (5483) Fax:301961-6407 <http://www.biobriteinc.com>http://www.biobriteinc.com E-Mail: info@... --- Blues Buster, 912 Linwood Avenue, St. , MN 55105 Toll-free 1-888-874-7373 <http://www.bluesbuster.com/>http://www.bluesbuster.com/ E-Mail: info@... --- Discovery Bay Lighting,L.L.C. 206-246-2996 Fax: 206-246-0848 <http://www.dblighting.com/resources.htm>http://www.dblighting.com/resources.htm E-Mail: sales@... --- Enviro-Med , 1600 S.E. 141st Ave., Vancouver, WA 98683 800-222-DAWN 800-222-3296 360-256-6989 <http://www.BIO-LIGHT.com/>http://www.BIO-LIGHT.com/ E-Mail:Bio-Light@... --- Lighting Technologies, 34 Yacht Club Dr., Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849 800-LIGHT-25 (544-4825) Technical Info 973-663-1214 Fax 973-663-3496 <http://www.hlt.com/>http://www.hlt.com/ E-Mail: prices@... --- Superlamp, Tom MacKay, 212 - 1990 - 152nd Street, White Rock, BC V4A 4N6 Fax : ( 604) 535 - 1531 <http://www.lifestyler.com/superlamp/>http://www.lifestyler.com/superlamp/ E-Mail: superlamp@... --- Lightbox Company of New England, PO Box 84, Newton, MA 02468 800-853-6456 (617) 965-6555 Fax (617) 527-1237 <http://www.lightboxco.com/>http://www.lightboxco.com/ E-Mail: llevin@... --- Morning StarLight, 18 Kinsley Road , West Acton, MA 01720 Telephone (978) 266-1500 FAX (978) 266-1500 <http://www.morningstarlight.com>http://www.morningstarlight.com E-Mail: mrnglite@... Note: this is only a 250 lux, sunglass type light. Light therapy needs to be 10,000 lux, research has shown, to be most effective. --- Northern Light Technologies, 8971, Henri-Bourassa West, MontrŽal (Qc) H4S 1P7, Canada 800 263-0066 514 335-1763 Fax : 514 335-7764 <http://www.northernlight-tech.com/eng/default.asp>http://www.northernlight-tech\ ..com/eng/default.asp E-Mail : info@... --- ParaLite Products, Full Spectrum Solutions , 1826 Horton Road , , MI 49203-5131 888-574-7014 Fax 517-796-8381 <http://www.paralite.com/>http://www.paralite.com/ E-Mail: sales@... --- PhoThera, PhotoTherapeutics, 3631 Overland Road, Boise, Idaho 83705 (800) 498-5975 (208) 343-2504 Fax: (208) 343-4993 or (208) 887-0892 <http://www.phothera.com/index.html>http://www.phothera.com/index.html E-Mail: sales@... --- SAD Light, P.O. Box 2604. Boise, Idaho 83701-2604 888-349-3725 (Enter PIN 1381) <http://allworld.clever.net/sadlight/>http://allworld.clever.net/sadlight/ --- SphereOne Inc., PO Box 1013, Silver Plume, CO 80476 212-208-4438 Fax 212-208-4438 <http://www.sphereone.com/>http://www.sphereone.com/ E-Mail: questions@... --- Sunbox Company 800-548-3968 <http://www.sunboxco.com/>http://www.sunboxco.com/ E-Mail: orders@... -- el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song that the morning brings... " " One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. " - Gail Godwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 I have irregular sleep cycles myself. For some unknown reason, the summer sunlight hasnt regulated my sleep cycle. I think I did better during the dark winter when I used full spectrum lighting in the morning to wake me up. However, I think the light has always made me feel more energetic. For sleeping, the doctor has given me Imovane. I havent started it as yet. I have been experimenting with some of my supplements to see which ones are better to take in the evening and which ones are better to take earlier. I noticed that some minerals can keep me awake at night if taken too late in the day, and others are helpful for sleeping if taken before sleeping. The reason i started looking down this avenue is that i noticed mainstream medicine recently has been looking into the efficacy of drugs taken at different times of the day. And yes, sleep is crucial. The body restores itself during the deeper phases after REM sleep. I took a sleep test and found that i hardly made it past the REM stage. Restorative sleep could help me recover significantly. Regards. Re: Lightbox Therapy Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry. I am inclined to try lightbox therapy once I clear it with my doctor (Dr. Lapp) and get specific instructions on what to do with it. My particular problem is not seasonal (I live in Los Angeles) but I have horrible sleep patterns and thus experience frequent radical time shifting. I thought the lightbox might be of some assisistance in regularizing my clock and also creating an improved mood (there was an article in the LA Times in the last few days on depression and lightbox therapy was favorably mentioned). .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2003 Report Share Posted January 30, 2003 Hi Doris... I tried a light box for the first time last November, I tried to begin by spending a few minutes in front of it and work up but even doing it very slowly I developed very bad headaches and felt quite " hyped up " ....I hadn't realised they could affect you like this when I bought it, but after having this reaction and then reading about it, it seems they can affect you in a similar way to anti- depressants as they increase serotonin. I tried to persevere but ended up sending it back. I don't know how common this is with patients with CFIDS but if you do go ahead please start off very very slowly. Of course you may be fine, alot of people benefit enormously but it is best to begin treatment at the onset of Winter also. Take care, Nell. > Hi > I wondered if anyone had tried lightbox therapy, and if it worked? I sat in > the sun for 15 minutes every day during the summer and it seemed to help > some. > Thanks, > Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2003 Report Share Posted January 30, 2003 Hi Doris I have used a light box and found It reduces depression in the dark winter months here in England. I never sit facing it as I am too light sensitive. I either have it at the side of me or I turn it up to face the ceiling and get the reflected light. As you probably know the theory is that the light produces more Serotonin in the brain and 5HT (or vice versa) similar to Prozac. I notice a definate lifting of spirits after about half an hour or so. Regards Dave x > Hi > I wondered if anyone had tried lightbox therapy, and if it worked? I sat in > the sun for 15 minutes every day during the summer and it seemed to help > some. > Thanks, > Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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