Light Treatment -£37 Argos

[Helen82]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Light Treatment

CFS is a disabling long-term condition with distinct physical as well as psychological components. Symptoms persist on and off year round, yet a recent study showed that more than one-third of CFS patients experience distinct seasonal variation, with winters worse. Among that group, oversleeping, daytime fatigue, carbohydrate craving and eating were indistinguishable from patients with SAD. Furthermore, seasonal CFS patients were significantly more likely to have experienced a depressive episode in the past year, usually in winter. An implication is that they might respond to light therapy. Indeed, case studies at Columbia University Medical Center (New York) and University of British Columbia (Vancouver) have shown marked improvement. Patients improved mainly in the symptoms that typify SAD, but some also showed improvement in physical symptoms of CFS (such as joint pain) that are rarely seen in SAD.

<a href="http://depression.about.com/od/sad/a/beyondsad_2.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://depression.about.com/od/sad/a/beyondsad_2.htm</a>

You can buy a very basic lamp from Argos for £37
<a href="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4327318/Trail/searchtext%3ESAD+LAMP.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4327318/Trail/searchtext%3ESAD+LAMP.htm</a>

Apparently its best to use it for 20 mins- 1 hour up to 3 times a day. Switch it on and put it near you while you are watching TV, using the PC or resting. Each light box will have its own instructions.

[JR]

That's interesting- I hadn't heard of a comparison between CFS and SAD before. Mine came on in November and seemed much improved in the Summertime.

[Helen82]

Yeah, its interesting isnt it, my CFS came on in Oct 2 years ago and has always been worse in the winter. Im sure CFS is caused by viruses, but it make sense that with lower light levels in the winter serotonin drops and so the ability of the body to cope with illness gets a lot worse... hence worse symptoms and depression.

I think its definitely worth a go. I have had AWFUL depression this winter.

I have mine SAD lamp on now, shining away at me as I type. I think the idea is that the light shines into the back of the eyes and sends a signal to the brain that its day time and so the body sends out hormones and brain chemicals (including serotonin, the happy chemical)) that keep us going throughout the day and boost energy levels and the immune system. I am trying to use mine twice a day for half an hour, when I wake up about 10am and about 4pm. It has a timer on and switches off after half hour (thats the basic one from Argos)

[jimmygriff]

I've today been given one of these light boxes by a friend who sometimes suffers from SAD. It's sitting on my desk at work so I'll use it for a couple of hours each day and let you guys know if I notice any improvement over the next few weeks. Can't hurt to try, right?