Big Box Lighting and me last night--pre seizure activity?

[MaryK]

Late yesterday afternoon my husband drove me to Target to do light shopping. I was going pretty fast through the store and went down the aisle to get ice cream and reached down to the bottom shelf and there were really bright lights in there, then I walked down frozen food aisle and looked at the pizzas and as I was walking out of that BOOM my eyes started to bother me, I was dizzy, and new I left my phone in the car. I kept going but all the lights were making feel sick and it seemed like I would have a seizure any second, but made it through store and then outside. When I had my first seizure it was light flickering through the sun and this was the same feeling only with store lights. I have not had a seizure in years now and am scared that this quick trip to a store, could have thrown me into 'seizure mode'. It is almost fall, and this is when I would have problems years ago. Any insight would be appreciated. I know Target has recently updated their lighting to include the cold and frozen food items, I just have not been to that store physically, usually do a pickup. They are ultra bright to me anyway.
Thank you...

 

[Porkette]

Hi MaryK,

I had this problem for many yrs. until I had surgery to reduce my seizure. What is going on is that you are photosensitive
meaning flickering lights or very bright lights can trigger seizures. What you should do is call your neuro. and ask them to
do a special e.e.g. on you where they will flash different color lights one at a time and by doing that they can tell what colors
you are sensitive and can trigger seizures. When I had this done, I found out the colors florescent green, amber, and bright white
like when the sun shines on the snow will trigger seizures for me but what surprised me is after I had surgery all of that went away.

Also do ever remember if you had more seizures at certain times of the yr.? I always have more in the fall and winter compared
to the spring and summer and my Dr. calls them "seasonal seizures" I have more seizures in the fall and winter because there's
less serotonin this time of the yr. so my Dr. has told me to sit around brighter light and that has helped me.

I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You,

Sue

 

[MaryK]

Thank you so much Sue. The lights were so bright and looked like led extra extra bright. It was as if I was having some sort of pre seizure. Like you said, fall has always been a problem for me. Sun through trees flickering used to really bother me. In fact, my first tonic/clonic was in the fall years and years ago.

MaryK

 

[MaryK]

Also, I am glad you no longer have seizures. It has been years for me so I guess for some really dumb reason I thought if I stayed on meds I would never have anymore. I am retired now and think age is not in my favor. Did you have a seizure when the lights were flashing?

Thanks
MaryK

 

[Porkette]

Hi MaryK,

I still have seizures but the flashing light doesn't trigger them. When I had surgery it reduced my seizures. Just like you I am retired
and I have temporal lobe epilepsy and my Epileptologist told me that when a woman goes through their change it can sometimes
increase or decrease the seizures. What I do is take zinc 50 mg. twice a day and that has really helped me a lot plus it helps stop
the covid virus according to my cousin who is a Dr. and had dealt with it since it first broke out.
Just like you I'm still on meds but I also take 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with mother in it when I have breakfast.
I was doing it to lose weight but then I noticed my seizures decreased and I found out the mother is a good bacteria and
good protein so that is what has reduced my seizures even more after I had surgery.

If you haven't started a journal yet. Get a calendar and write down every time you have a seizure and write down the type
of seizure you had along with what time it happened, by doing this your neuro may see a pattern in your seizures. I would
always have them the 1st and the 3rd week of the month but that no longer happens. It more so happens when there's
a low pressure in the weather or if I am sick in any way.

Wishing You only the Bests and May God Bless You,

Sue

 

[MaryK]

Thank you for taking the time to not only help but reassure me.

MaryK