Light therapy - Sleep Disorders Message Board

tiredpoet · 01-23-2008, 09:23 AM

While I wait to get a referral for a sleep study and try to figure out what the heck is wrong with me, I was thinking of trying either one of those light boxes or dawn simulators, or even some full spectrum light bulbs, to see if they help at all with my energy levels, inability to wake, terrible fatigue and all the symptoms that revolve around my probable sleep issues. I do everything else I can, follow the sleep hygiene tips religiously, but I am suffering from severe fatigue and my sleep patterns are crazy--I won't go into detail because I have already done so in other posts, but my main reason for this post is to ask:

Has anyone ever tried any forms of light therapy or products such as dawn simulators or special lamps, etc, and have you had any success with them? What about full spectrum bulbs? I know they're not specifically for S.A.D, but I don't have S.A.D anyway. Light therapy is not usually mentioned for excessive daytime sleepiness, etc, but I wonder if they might help somehow.

mkgbrook · 01-24-2008, 06:59 AM

I tried the sunshine thing naturally. The best thing that worked for me was getting out of my seat every 30 -45 minutes and walking the stairs for 5-10. The physical stimuli worked better for me than walking out in the sun and rain. My fatigue was sleep apnea and later determine Hashimoto's inspired secondary hypothyroidism. Whee! Won't go there on this board. Have you tried the hourly activity route? Light therapy will not hurt you either. So why not give it a try.

MG