Treatments, desensitization, pills, exercises - solutions

ryans

I'll start by saying that I have been reluctant to tell people what my Paxil dose is because I don't want to seem like I'm giving medical advice. But at this point it's too confusing to explain my situation without mentioning the dose. For anyone reading this, please discuss this with your doctor so she can prescribe what's best given your individual situation. This is my story; YMMV.

I started at 20 mg of Paxil and that fixed my insomnia (and seems to make me less stressed) and also significantly improved my symptoms related to LED exposure. Unfortunately, it made me very tired during the day.

I then cut my Paxil dose in half to 10 mg and that was basically like not being on Paxil at all. I stayed on that dose for 6 weeks to let my body adjust. My insomnia returned as did my symptoms from LED exposure. So then I split the difference and started taking 15 mg of Paxil and was only able to stay on that dose for about 2-3 weeks because my insomnia was so bad. For me, being at 15 mg was like not being on Paxil at all.

So about 3 weeks ago I went back to 20 mg and the insomnia is gone and my LED symptoms are significantly reduced. And unfortunately my daytime sleepiness is back. I'm trying to power through the daytime sleepiness with some caffeine and a few other things.

At the risk of repeating myself, here's a summary of my symptoms: I would get headaches, tinnitus, and nausea from monitors, phones, led lightbulbs, newer car dashboards, etc. In my own home, I was able to configure devices so that they did not bother me (e.g., 100% brightness, turn off intel power saving technology, etc.), but we live in a society where LEDs are everywhere and I would get symptoms from those LEDs. These symptoms would often last for days, even after a fairly brief exposure to LEDs.

When I'm on 20 mg of Paxil, I still have fairly mild symptoms while I'm exposed to LEDs, but the symptoms go away very shortly after my exposure goes away. So 90% cured, in my opinion.

I still haven't purposely exposed myself to some of my other monitors that used to cause issues for me. I need to get this daytime sleepiness sorted out first before I'm mentally ready to do some more experiments. But it is definitely something that I will do.

GregAtkinson Thanks for the update! Please don't forget about us ... there are only a few success stories on here and I feel much better reading each one. I'm also wondering what devices you use; I'm a computer programmer myself.

If you don't mind me asking, is the primary reason for your prescription for insomnia and the PWM sensitivity is just a happy benefit?

bkdo

Laptop: Dell i5567-0927 (can use as long as I want with no eyestrain at all)

• Brightness: always at 100% (I even went in to the Bios to make sure it was 100%)
• Night light: off
• Scale: 125%
• Layout: 1920x1080
• Intel HD Graphics 620 version 27.20.100.9964 (I used to have an old driver version, but Windows updated it for me in September. Thanks, Microsoft…)
• Power Plans: "Maximum Performance" for both "On Battery" and "Plugged In"
• I never use it below 25% battery level. I think some power-saving feature kicks in that gives me headaches.

Monitor: very old Asus VW228TLB-P that I always keep at 100% backlight

Phone: Moto e4 plus (it's OK for short periods. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.)

Lightbulbs: MaxLite Dimmable 2700k (60W, 75W and 100W) (I never put them in a dimmable switch)

GregAtkinson Thanks. That's very interesting. I've also found Intel HD Graphics 620 the most comfortable on my HP EliteBook 840 G6 using driver: 25.20.100.6793. It's the most comfortable modern device I've found!

I wonder if there's something special about the Intel HD Graphics 620.

Hi Everyone,

This topic is technical and vague at the same time, therefore, I will try to summarise my experiences and any potential solutions as best as I can, based on my research.

Approximately 6 yrs ago, I suddenly developed dizziness, migraines, eye strain, sometimes sea sickness symptoms. I discovered this was from flicker in led, energy saving, fluorescent lighting and digital displays and screens. Walking in supermarkets, using my old phone etc would trigger the issues.

I was seen by numerous opticians, a neuro ophthalmologist, two migraine specialists, (the latter recommended medication), in general I did not get far. I also spoke with professors, a screen manufacturer too for clues.

I tried software like f.lux, Truview overlay by crossbow education, monitor shields from the same company, some of these solutions worked for a short period only, till the issues occurred again.

I have read supplements may help, e.g. increasing magnesium, cayenne pepper, however have not tried these.

As a result of the above, and my research, I currently use a standard projector to watch TV on, use halogen lighting where possible, not energy efficient, however is easy on the eye.

I use Eizo EV2450 monitors, with the correct settings, which do not cause me eye strain. https://www.eizoglobal.com/products/flexscan/ev2450/index.html#tab01

I use a modern Amoled Xiaomi mobile phone which has an option to turn off flicker, this mode works well for me.

Lastly and most importantly I saw an optician who took my issues as a challenge, and between us, we came up with a specific green/yellow tint for glasses I currently wear, which help a great deal. I’m not saying this solution will work for everyone, (some specialists said coloured lenses have a low success rate, others recommended FL41 type pink tints), however, for the last 4 years or so, mine have made a massive difference. I can tolerate most environments and digital screens, (bar modern 4k monitors), which I’m working on. (I’ve tried 3 that are advertised as flicker free, one had DC dimming, however still no joy).

I also live a healthy lifestyle, getting to bed at a good time makes a difference too, along with consistent sleeping/waking patterns everyday.

Hope I can help with the above,

BTW, I’ve not put details of my optician, as I don’t want to be seen as advertising or promoting a service. However, if there is enough interest, I don’t mind sharing his details, he is UK based, in the North West.

Please bear with me too, if my replies are slow, or there are a lack of them.

I wonder if part of our issues is visual vertigo: https://dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/visual/visual_vertigo.html.

I found a possible treatment here called "optokinetic stimulation", with more details here.

They claim that:

Continually repeating the actions that bring on the symptoms of dizziness or vertigo will eventually accustom the body to those actions and strengthen neural pathways.

I haven't read the thread, but i'll share my 2 cents.

My screen strain was caused 2 years ago by a combination of:

• Huge doses of Aripiprazole and Escitalopram
• 5 days of taking Pregabalin
• Withdrawing too quickly from Aripiprazole (antipsychotic), Paroxetine (antidepressant), Biperiden (antiparkinsonian), Baclofen (muscle relaxant), Pregabalin (antiseizure) all at the same time. I didn't stop them cold turkey, but reduced the doses by like 90% down.

Only later did i learn that the medication withdrawal syndrome was the issue. See survivingantidepressants.org. That site has changed my life.

What helps my screen strain a lot:

• Vitamin C liquid form, drug grade, 1000mg
• Magnesium in any form. Currently am taking a mix of magnesium forms totalling about 550mg/day. I find that it's key to make the dose big, and to make sure it's a highly-bioavailable form (I take this one by Doctor's Best - 2 pills at breakfast and 2 at lunch)
• gently washing my closed eyes with running water, without touching them with my fingers
• A supplement called Acomodin

What makes my screen strain worse:

• The baclofen that i'm currently taking
• Wearing glasses that are too strong (-3.75D) for my eyes.

The best diagnoses I've been given are Spasm of Accomodation, and Dystonia.