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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Pietermaritzburg, ZA

Does anyone find they get quite sensitive to light and if there is too many bright lights it causes migraines, blurry vision or dizziness.

I also find I stare blankly at something for a while at times and I am surprised no one has noticed I do it often or even said anything.

October 12, 2018
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Answer Summary

Members overwhelmingly related to experiencing heightened sensitivity to light and sound, with many describing it as sensory overload where... Read more

Members overwhelmingly related to experiencing heightened sensitivity to light and sound, with many describing it as sensory overload where bright lights, especially fluorescent lighting, trigger migraines, dizziness, and blurry vision. Several members shared practical strategies they use to cope, including wearing sunglasses year-round, using blackout curtains, dimming household lights, keeping sunglasses in the car, and turning off office lights to prevent painful flare-ups. A recurring theme was the shared experience of staring blankly without realizing it, along with the relief of knowing they are not alone in managing these intense and often misunderstood symptoms.

A MyFibroTeam Member

ALL the time. It's like all of my senses are turned up to the max. I'm super sensitive to sound as well.

October 12, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

yes , defiantly sensitive to light , in my home I have blackout curtains in my living room for that reason and I am so thankful that when I moved here they had a chandler that I could turn down the brightness lol. in my bedroom I have tinfoil on the windows and blackout curtains so no light gets in for when I have migraines. I also have very dark prescription glasses for outside. I wake up everyday with a headache sometimes it goes away sometimes it turns to a migraine
when I am in a office and the have florescent lights if I don't wear my sunglasses then I will get a migraine they are like a trigger for the migraines

October 13, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

Also, I am very sensitive to light. I can't stand very bright lights at all. I have to use dim lights. But in a flare I can't have any lights on at all

October 12, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

Fibromyalgia is generally characterized by chronic pain and fatigue as well as sensitivity or tenderness in the joints and muscle tissue. There have also been many links between fibromyalgia and other neurological disorders, although it is unclear if they are directly correlated. Regardless, many people with fibromyalgia (FM) report sensitivity to light, headaches and migraine attacks as symptoms or comorbidities of the condition. Here we explore the different ways that fibromyalgia can impact the mind and body.

Photophobia and Painful Light Sensitivity
One of the most common fibromyalgia-related issues is painful sensitivity to light, also known as photophobia. One study showed that bright light caused pain for patients with fibromyalgia at an astonishing rate of 70%, more than any other reported neurological symptom; this compared to only 6% for people without a chronic pain syndrome.(1) A primary reason for increasing levels of photophobia is likely due to the ongoing external sensitivities and lower pain threshold associated with the fibromyalgia; this has been previously described as “sensory overload.” Additionally, comorbid disorders such as dry eye and migraine—which are observed at higher rates in people with FM—include light sensitivity as a prominent side effect.

October 12, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

Oh most definitely!

October 12, 2018

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