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Sun Sensitive

Mon, 06/20/2005 - 17:15
I don't remember if my Neurologist told me this, or if I made it up in my head.. which is a possibility, but do epileptics tend to be more sensitive to the sun? I seem to have this problem and I was wondering if it was normal for someone with epilepsy or if there was some other cause. I mean, I can't go out in the sun with out sunglasses or I get a horrible head ache, and just being in the sun for a prolonged time will also give me a horrible headache!thanks for any help!!

Comments

RE: Sun Sensitive

Submitted by scorpio on Mon, 2005-06-20 - 14:20

I think you said recently that you are taking Lamictal/Lamotrigine: I do not know what your dosage is but an itchy skin rash is a common side-effect and over-exposure to the sun can set it off.  It sometimes happens to me (200mg/d).

Chris

I think you said recently that you are taking Lamictal/Lamotrigine: I do not know what your dosage is but an itchy skin rash is a common side-effect and over-exposure to the sun can set it off.  It sometimes happens to me (200mg/d).

Chris

RE: RE: Sun Sensitive

Submitted by mexican_fire on Mon, 2005-06-20 - 14:39

Aly~~

Yes, sun can cause problems with epileptics.  It can cause severe sun burn, headaches, muscles cramps, the endless nees to sleep, or seizures.

I have had seizures triggered by the sun or heat where I am at for 3 years now.

I live in Phoenix AZ in the Sonoran Desert and the summer-time temps soar to brutal highs of 112-118 or more.

THe sun is out more than 223+ days a year, shines so bright that it blinds you, and no one goes without sunglasses over here.

I have to be copepd up in the house 85% of the time, and go swimming at night.

I have JME and the Grand Mals and Myoclonics are the suseptible seizures.

Also certain AEDs can cause easier sun burns, severe rashes that need medical attention.

I take 1500 mgs of Dekote and 3600 mgs of Neurontin.

I have tried 8 other drugs--5 that weer all relaetd to Tegretol, and Topamax, Dilantin, and Ativan.

You are not alone with this heat thing.  Trust me.

God luck,

Nancy

Aly~~

Yes, sun can cause problems with epileptics.  It can cause severe sun burn, headaches, muscles cramps, the endless nees to sleep, or seizures.

I have had seizures triggered by the sun or heat where I am at for 3 years now.

I live in Phoenix AZ in the Sonoran Desert and the summer-time temps soar to brutal highs of 112-118 or more.

THe sun is out more than 223+ days a year, shines so bright that it blinds you, and no one goes without sunglasses over here.

I have to be copepd up in the house 85% of the time, and go swimming at night.

I have JME and the Grand Mals and Myoclonics are the suseptible seizures.

Also certain AEDs can cause easier sun burns, severe rashes that need medical attention.

I take 1500 mgs of Dekote and 3600 mgs of Neurontin.

I have tried 8 other drugs--5 that weer all relaetd to Tegretol, and Topamax, Dilantin, and Ativan.

You are not alone with this heat thing.  Trust me.

God luck,

Nancy

RE: Sun Sensitive

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Mon, 2005-06-20 - 15:23

I get horrible eye headaches from the sun too, but was told that it was due to different factors. I am very fair-skinned, have blue eyes, have very large pupils, and my eyes are set further apart than most. The first three factors make me more susceptable to sun headaches, the last makes it even more difficult because I can't wear normal sunglasses. Apparently, the sun protection is strongest in the center of the lense. With my eyes being farther apart, my eyes aren't getting good sun protection with normal sunglasses...so I get a headache after 5 minutes (if that!). My sunglasses have to be specially made, so, of course, they're expensive. I end up not wearing them, because it's too much of a pain...but I also don't spend a lot of time outside either.

Just another angle, if it applies. I've never heard the epilepsy thing though, I'll have to ask my neuro.

Heather :)

I get horrible eye headaches from the sun too, but was told that it was due to different factors. I am very fair-skinned, have blue eyes, have very large pupils, and my eyes are set further apart than most. The first three factors make me more susceptable to sun headaches, the last makes it even more difficult because I can't wear normal sunglasses. Apparently, the sun protection is strongest in the center of the lense. With my eyes being farther apart, my eyes aren't getting good sun protection with normal sunglasses...so I get a headache after 5 minutes (if that!). My sunglasses have to be specially made, so, of course, they're expensive. I end up not wearing them, because it's too much of a pain...but I also don't spend a lot of time outside either.

Just another angle, if it applies. I've never heard the epilepsy thing though, I'll have to ask my neuro.

Heather :)

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