Exposure to Flickering Flourescent Lighting today

[Trinity]

Well, I have had increased epileptic activity during the photosensitive part of the EEG before, although not always. More often however, I do feel unwell when this component of the EEG is completed, even if it doesn't show up as anything abnormal.
Today however, I was exposed to flickering flourescent lights at school (i'm a teacher). If it were my classroom i'd just turn those lights off but i'm a support teacher and move from class to class. I didn't want to interrupt what was going on and I feel like a whinger because I know the flicker wasn't bad - indeed I don't think it was enough that anyone else would have noticed. They certainly didn't seem to.
So, I tried to shield one eye and to look away as much as possible. I felt nauseas and somewhat dizzy but it didn't progress to anything more than that. Do others experience these sort of symptoms as part of their PSE or does it always just progress to a seizure?
One would think that after 34years with E i'd know all there is to know, but i'm still learning.

 

[Trinity]

Also, this morning on the way to work I experienced something which has happened a lot before. As I was driving it was like it seemed that instead of my car moving past trees etc, it was as if the trees and everything were moving past me and I was sitting still in my car. Is this kind of like a spatial disortion???? I have mentioned it to my neuro before but he wasn't too concerned because whenever it happens I don't lose consciousness and whilst it feels like things are moving past me I am aware that they aren't. I'm wondering if this is a photosensitive issue as well (because of the pattern of the trees etc)?????

 

[huskymom]

I have had some of the same issues. If I am going to be in the car for awhile and it is sunny outside, I always make sure that I have my sunglasses for just the reason you stated. If we are going down a street with trees or a fence, I put on my wrap around sunglasses, and it helps a lot! I think it is because of the sunlight flashing between these other items. Hope it helps.

 

[Trinity]

Well, I didn't wear my sunglasses today either so that may have had something to do with it. I have two pair of prescription glasses - one regular and the other transitions (they transition to sunglasses in the sunlight). I also have a pair of non prescription polarised sunglasses.

 

[lovemyladybug]

I have had some of the same issues. If I am going to be in the car for awhile and it is sunny outside, I always make sure that I have my sunglasses for just the reason you stated. If we are going down a street with trees or a fence, I put on my wrap around sunglasses, and it helps a lot! I think it is because of the sunlight flashing between these other items. Hope it helps.

i do the same thing ! and the flickering lights , and the flashing when your beside trees and the sun is coming through reallllllly bother me as well , i dont normally get nauseaus , i get a horrible headache and get reallly sleepy

 

[Trinity]

So, dumb question I know but are these possibly SP seizures??? I'm thinking particularly the driving thing may be but not sure. I've only ever been diagnosed with t/c seizures and I haven't had one of those in nearly 8years but I think i've been having SPS for years and just haven't been aware of what they were. I know this thing that happens when I drive sometimes first happened when I was a teenager, first starting to drive and i'm now 35.

 

[CarpeDiem13]

Fluorescent lights

Hi guys, It took me a while to figure out but I have a sensitivity when it comes to fluorescent lights. I hate them!!! Especially the ones in supermarket fridges!!!! I used to work in a bottle shop (liquor store) and always felt weird when stocking the fridges (full of fluro's) which I later discovered were simple partials which sometimes would progress into complex partials. I never got a reading however when it came to the EEG though :dontknow:

 

[Trinity]

I am annoyed

I sent an email today to the Deputy Principal at the school where I teach 3 days a week. I explained that 3 of the 6 flourescent lights in one of the classrooms where I do learning support have a flicker and that yesterday when I was in the room I had what I think was a simple partial seizure. I requested that the globes be replaced as a matter of priority.
I got an email back and she said that was not good (that I had a SPS) and that I was to follow the procedure that is already in place of filling in an 'orange slip' to indicate to the maintenance guy that they need replacing.
I really thought this would be an occupational health and safety hazard and that it would need to be reported as such. Plus, the big thing is that i'm not in again until Monday and on Monday i'm going to be in that same classroom again. I sent an email back explaining that I would fill out an orange slip next time i'm in, however I felt it prudent that I informed her as it is an occupational health and safety issue. I have filled in orange slips before and it's always a matter of going in the order of the requests - nobody has preference over another because of importance. Plus, the maintenance guy is not the happiest chap so will drag his heels and not always respond as promptly as you'd like but if the deputy spoke to him he'd do it straight away.
I should have filled out the orange slip yesterday I know but seriously I wasn't thinking about that and I just thought that they'd help me out a bit. Really - was that too much to ask???
And yes, I know that I can just turn the lights off but i'm not quite sure how the circuitry works there are multiple switches but depending on which lights are connected to which switch I may need to turn all the lights off. There we are then in winter, sitting in the dark (or at least insufficient lighting for proper learning).
Perhaps i'm overreacting??? Do you think i'm overreacting???

 

[Trinity]

So, I just got a response from my second email. She said that it is an OH&S issue so she will speak to the maintenance guy personally but that the orange slip is still the procedure to follow. I have a feeling she just doesn't get it (and yes, I know that I can't always read what people mean to communicate in an email). I mean, after having possibly 2 seizures yesterday my thought process wasn't focused on filling out an orange slip - how terrible.

 

[Chel]

Why can't she fill out the ***** orange slip?

(so asks the OHSW Consultant)

 

[Eibhlin]

Trinity, I can't believe she can't just fill out the slip herself!!!!!
How incredibly frustrating!

I have the same issue with photosensitivity, and I'm also a teacher.

I am also able to turn off lights when teaching myself if a bulb is flickering but I just have to leave the room or (like you again) try to cover one eye. They are better at reacting to things like that where I work so my heart really goes out to you. It should be treated as urgent, and should be dealt with by admin instead of causing you further stress.

I get nauseaus (and a bit disoriented) but I never thought of it as a seizure,
I just think of it as a warning and try to keep my eyes covered (not always practical though). I have had grand mal seizures after strobe lights, but I keep away from them.

I hope this gets sorted for you soon!

 

[Trinity]

Eibhlin
I know what you mean, I don't know whether it is a type of seizure or not but an aura is just a warning right of either a complex partial or generalised seizure to follow. I know that from what i've read auras are just SP seizures and can happen on their own so that's what i'm working off.
If it's a seizure, no matter how small it is an OHS issue, and if it's not a seizure but a non seizure type warning then it's still a frickin issue - I mean going to work shouldn't MAKE me sick.

 

[Trinity]

So...I went into school today because I had to pick something up so I figured i'd check with the deputy principal to see if she needed me to still fill in the orange slip (because she seemed to reluctantly say yesterday that she would speak to the maintenance guy). She said that it was up to me but reiterated that that is the procedure for anyone to follow for something as simple as a light globe change. She said that the maintenance guy will usually pick up the orange slips in the morning when he gets in and although he may not act on it straight away he may decide that it's easier to wait until a bunch of lights in that area need replacing and do them all at once. I honestly didn't know what to say. This is EXACTLY what I was trying to avoid. I don't want him to wait until there is a whole bunch to do at once - he NEEDS to do that classroom now so that when I go in on Monday i'm not exposed to the flickering lights again. I don't think she actually spoke to the maintenance guy - just wrote out an orange slip. I wrote out another anyway and wrote 'URGENT due to photosensitivity' on it. Let's see what response I get.

 

[Chel]

I wrote out another anyway and wrote 'URGENT due to photosensitivity' on it. Let's see what response I get.

Who is to say one of the students isn't also affected, and their study is suffering. The attitude of the deputy principal is very disappointing, to say the least.

At least you have now completed that all-important orange slip. However, I feel this dp needs a lesson in photosensitivity.

 

[epileric]

She said that it was up to me but reiterated that that is the procedure for anyone to follow for something as simple as a light globe change.

You should point out to her that just because a procedure is simple does not mean that it is not necessarily urgent in how it can effect someone medically and that the cost of not completing this "simple" action can be great as your seizures, if triggered can have a great effect.

 

[bazpa]

I have gotten such an education from this sight in the last few months, and now really know that I have had this condition for a long time, but really had no idea what these little episodes were. One would have thought one of the doctors would have put the pieces to the puzzle together over the years. It angers me to realize so many people do not realize how serious this can be. Changing a few light bulbs is not that hard, but can make all the difference in the world. I hope they get this done soon for your sake. Having your day ruined for such a simple thing sucks. I also have the problem with driving through the forest with the sun flickering through the trees. I could never figure out why I always felt sick, would nod out, and get really tired when we drove home to and from camping. It seems like everything in life has become so complicated lately. Best of luck.

 

[Eibhlin]

Trinity, I can't believe how flippant she is being; I'm so annoyed for you.

It really should be a matter of priority. It's a big health and safety issue.

I agree with Chel, one of the students may also be affected. The deputy principal has no idea of the consequences of not acting now. Can you talk to the principal if nothing gets done? It's ridiculous that it's becoming a big deal - she should be sorting it out on your behalf so that you can carry on with teaching! The added stress and anxiety won't help either.


I hope it'll be ok!!! I'm sending you positive vibes!