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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
I was recently diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I have been depressed since Oct, and was getting progressively worse. Initial attempts to increase my medication (Zoloft) did nothing. I am also on Wellbutrin, Lyrica, and Klonopin.
6 days ago i purchased a GoLITE from Costco for $159.00. I started therapy the next morning, the instructions recommend 30 minutes each morning, but i am doing it for 45 minutes. After 2 treatments i was improving, after 4 treatments my depression has lifted and i feel better than i have since September! Sounds too good to be true, but it is!
When you have SAD it is thought that lack of sunlight causes abnormalities in how your body manages it's internal (Circadian) biological rythms. Melatonin is thought to play an important role in SAD also. During low-light months, people with SAD produce more melatonin than normal- enough to cause severe depression. Exposure to a bright light such as that from a light box supresses the brains production of melatonin, helping to regulate your body's internal clock relieving symptoms of depression.
I should mention that i live about 200 miles east of Seattle, WA. and we have a lot of rain. The suicide rate in Seattle is higher than any city in the U.S.
Anyway, the most impt. thing is that it's working and i feel really good. Honestly, i didn't think it would work, so i am absolutelty thrilled!!
-Monte
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2007, at 22:02:41
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
Oh Monte me too. I think of you daily when watching weather report. Bet you are jumping for joy. I am for you. May it continue. Love Jan
Posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 22:27:19
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
Really?? Now I'm inspired to try my own light more seriously. Are you hardcore, sitting 18 inches away from it, looking directly at it every few seconds like they say?
Posted by SLS on January 5, 2007, at 5:51:44
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
> I was recently diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I have been depressed since Oct, and was getting progressively worse. Initial attempts to increase my medication (Zoloft) did nothing. I am also on Wellbutrin, Lyrica, and Klonopin.
>
> 6 days ago i purchased a GoLITE from Costco for $159.00. I started therapy the next morning, the instructions recommend 30 minutes each morning, but i am doing it for 45 minutes. After 2 treatments i was improving, after 4 treatments my depression has lifted and i feel better than i have since September! Sounds too good to be true, but it is!
> Anyway, the most impt. thing is that it's working and i feel really good. Honestly, i didn't think it would work, so i am absolutelty thrilled!!Woohoo!
Get well. Be well. Stay well.
Nice New Years, eh?
- Scott
Posted by dessbee on January 5, 2007, at 6:03:51
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
Anyone tried the portable light therapy glasses Luminette?
Posted by valene on January 5, 2007, at 8:53:54
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
Monte, that is great news! So glad you are finding relief. Makes me want to order one as I am getting more depressed....thought it was from having a month-long cold but still feeling very down. I was considering moving to southern California!
Do you find that wellbutrin helps you? I have depression but lots of anxiety also. I have a full bottle of Wellbutrin (never took one) along with Emsam in my cupboard. Too scared to try either one.
Love, Val
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 5, 2007, at 10:23:55
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » Crazy Horse, posted by laima on January 4, 2007, at 22:27:19
>
> Really?? Now I'm inspired to try my own light more seriously. Are you hardcore, sitting 18 inches away from it, looking directly at it every few seconds like they say?Yea, i'm hardcore as far as doing it every day, sitting 18-20 inches away, and for 45 mins every morning, but i don't look directly at it. The instructions warn you to not look directly at the light as it can cause eye damage, specifically cateracts. I would definitely give it another try if i were you.
-Monte
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 5, 2007, at 10:26:02
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » Crazy Horse, posted by SLS on January 5, 2007, at 5:51:44
>
> Woohoo!
>
> Get well. Be well. Stay well.
>
> Nice New Years, eh?
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
YES!! I only wish i had tried this along time ago. I always thought of it as a hoax, boy was i wrong.-Monte
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 5, 2007, at 10:35:38
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » Crazy Horse, posted by valene on January 5, 2007, at 8:53:54
> Monte, that is great news! So glad you are finding relief. Makes me want to order one as I am getting more depressed....thought it was from having a month-long cold but still feeling very down. I was considering moving to southern California!
>
> Do you find that wellbutrin helps you? I have depression but lots of anxiety also. I have a full bottle of Wellbutrin (never took one) along with Emsam in my cupboard. Too scared to try either one.
>
> Love, ValYes, i think Wellbutrin has helped some. But nothing was really helping until i started the Light Therapy. Evidently, melatonin was causing problems that the meds could not correct. However, if i were you i would give Wellbutrin a try, it's a good AD, and if you don't like it you can simply taper off of it. You may also look into getting a Light Box...you just might get the amazing results i have gotten. Before i started the light therapy i was very depressed, the difference it has made is almost unbelievable!
-Monte
Posted by laima on January 5, 2007, at 13:04:05
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 5, 2007, at 10:23:55
Thanks for the cataract clarification. My lamp is old enough that I lost the instructions, but I am definately inspired to sit much closer to it, much more regularly! You make it sound so ridiculously easy, I'd be a fool not to. Thanks for your report.> Yea, i'm hardcore as far as doing it every day, sitting 18-20 inches away, and for 45 mins every morning, but i don't look directly at it. The instructions warn you to not look directly at the light as it can cause eye damage, specifically cateracts. I would definitely give it another try if i were you.
>
> -Monte
Posted by cgd092 on January 6, 2007, at 10:56:44
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
I just asked my psychiatrist and she said she has a SAD therapy lightbox in her office that she lends patients who want to try one. That way, she says, they can see if it helps before they invest in one. And then if it helps them, she can write a prescription for one! Ask your pdoc; you could save a lot of money!
Posted by dreamboat_annie on January 6, 2007, at 15:52:11
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you.
> I was recently diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I have been depressed since Oct, and was getting progressively worse. Initial attempts to increase my medication (Zoloft) did nothing. I am also on Wellbutrin, Lyrica, and Klonopin.
>
> 6 days ago i purchased a GoLITE from Costco for $159.00. I started therapy the next morning, the instructions recommend 30 minutes each morning, but i am doing it for 45 minutes. After 2 treatments i was improving, after 4 treatments my depression has lifted and i feel better than i have since September! Sounds too good to be true, but it is!
>
> When you have SAD it is thought that lack of sunlight causes abnormalities in how your body manages it's internal (Circadian) biological rythms. Melatonin is thought to play an important role in SAD also. During low-light months, people with SAD produce more melatonin than normal- enough to cause severe depression. Exposure to a bright light such as that from a light box supresses the brains production of melatonin, helping to regulate your body's internal clock relieving symptoms of depression.
>
> I should mention that i live about 200 miles east of Seattle, WA. and we have a lot of rain. The suicide rate in Seattle is higher than any city in the U.S.
>
> Anyway, the most impt. thing is that it's working and i feel really good. Honestly, i didn't think it would work, so i am absolutelty thrilled!!
>
> -Monte
Posted by cgd092 on January 7, 2007, at 11:12:06
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
You wrote, "I should mention that i live about 200 miles east of Seattle, WA. and we have a lot of rain. The suicide rate in Seattle is higher than any city in the U.S."
I was looking for statistics about this on the 'net, but couldn't find anything. Can you refer me to a website that lists incidences of depression and/or suicide by U.S. state or region? I live in rainy S.W. Washington, too, about an hour north of Portland, OR. Seattle is even worse, but we're similar. A *LOT* of clouds. I'm going to try a lightbox soon, too. I spend a lot of time in the garden puttering around in the summer, and playing outside with my two young sons. I noticed getting depressed this winter for sure. Heck, I'll even take a placebo response! :)-Katy
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 7, 2007, at 11:26:12
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by cgd092 on January 7, 2007, at 11:12:06
> You wrote, "I should mention that i live about 200 miles east of Seattle, WA. and we have a lot of rain. The suicide rate in Seattle is higher than any city in the U.S."
>
>
> I was looking for statistics about this on the 'net, but couldn't find anything. Can you refer me to a website that lists incidences of depression and/or suicide by U.S. state or region? I live in rainy S.W. Washington, too, about an hour north of Portland, OR. Seattle is even worse, but we're similar. A *LOT* of clouds. I'm going to try a lightbox soon, too. I spend a lot of time in the garden puttering around in the summer, and playing outside with my two young sons. I noticed getting depressed this winter for sure. Heck, I'll even take a placebo response! :)
>
> -Katy
>
>I don't have a website, sorry. Maybe Google 'Seattle suicide rate' you might get answers..i don't know. I do think the light box will help you, get the GoLITE at Costco if you can, it's one of the best. The cost is $159.00 and the great thing about Costco is that if you try it for a few months and it doesn't help, they'll let you return it for a full refund. Good luck!
-Monte
Posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 14:02:20
In reply to Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by Crazy Horse on January 4, 2007, at 21:10:36
I was doing some research on something else last night but stumbled onto some interesting studies on light boxes. Apparently people who responded to light boxes had their depression artificially induced again by either tryptophan depletion or norepinephrine/dopamine depletion. The researchers concluded that light boxes support all the neurotransmitters, not just one or the other. In any case, I am very glad it works for some people.
One weird thing I noticed. In countries where the seasons do not vary much, and where there is lots of sunshine, people with depression respond to light box therapy. Go figure.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2007, at 18:53:37
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 14:02:20
Well that's interesting. Wonder why? Love Phillipa
Posted by Kath on January 8, 2007, at 14:48:54
In reply to Re: light therapy glasses, posted by dessbee on January 5, 2007, at 6:03:51
couldn't seem to 'get at' this information from the link!
These sound really interesting!!!!!!!!
Kath
Posted by friendlyzombie on March 13, 2009, at 9:35:26
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » blueberry1, posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2007, at 18:53:37
There's a long gap between replies on this subject, but here goes: I used a full-spectrum lightbox (with my usual meds) for years. I have major depression, not SAD).
I switched to blue light 3 months ago with excellent results: far more energy and less depression. I live in Minnesota and use light therapy year-round since I usually avoid direct sun exposure anyway.Apollo was purchased by Respironics, then Philips so golight is now called goLITE BLU. I don't know about Costco, but goLITE BLU is currently $219 at amazon.com (after an "instant" rebate that expires 3/31/09).
Posted by Kath on March 13, 2009, at 9:44:11
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by friendlyzombie on March 13, 2009, at 9:35:26
Hi - Thanks for your post. I'm glad this has helped you so much.
I don't know what Blue light means. I'm have a light lamp with LED lights. Is the one that you're using fluorescent? I like to stay away from fluorescent lights.
Thanks very much for giving this info!
:-)) Kath
> There's a long gap between replies on this subject, but here goes: I used a full-spectrum lightbox (with my usual meds) for years. I have major depression, not SAD).
>
> I switched to blue light 3 months ago with excellent results: far more energy and less depression. I live in Minnesota and use light therapy year-round since I usually avoid direct sun exposure anyway.
>
> Apollo was purchased by Respironics, then Philips so golight is now called goLITE BLU. I don't know about Costco, but goLITE BLU is currently $219 at amazon.com (after an "instant" rebate that expires 3/31/09).
>
>
Posted by friendlyzombie on March 13, 2009, at 10:29:22
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » friendlyzombie, posted by Kath on March 13, 2009, at 9:44:11
I completely agree about fluorescent lights, Kath.
There's a lot going on right now with blue light research. For example, it's been shown to prevent "jet lag".
Although it's the (goLITE) manufacturer's site, the following has lots of information about blue light therapy:
http://www.lighttherapy.com/golite_blu.html
In gratitude,
fz
> Hi - Thanks for your post. I'm glad this has helped you so much.
>
> I don't know what Blue light means. I'm have a light lamp with LED lights. Is the one that you're using fluorescent? I like to stay away from fluorescent lights.
>
> Thanks very much for giving this info!
>
> :-)) Kath
>
>
> > There's a long gap between replies on this subject, but here goes: I used a full-spectrum lightbox (with my usual meds) for years. I have major depression, not SAD).
> >
> > I switched to blue light 3 months ago with excellent results: far more energy and less depression. I live in Minnesota and use light therapy year-round since I usually avoid direct sun exposure anyway.
> >
> > Apollo was purchased by Respironics, then Philips so golight is now called goLITE BLU. I don't know about Costco, but goLITE BLU is currently $219 at amazon.com (after an "instant" rebate that expires 3/31/09).
Posted by Kath on March 13, 2009, at 11:03:57
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :), posted by friendlyzombie on March 13, 2009, at 10:29:22
Thanks very much for the info!!
I'll check it out later when I have time.
Have a great day.
:-) Kath
PS - have you checked out the Social board? I mostly am there.
Posted by sam K on March 19, 2009, at 14:34:32
In reply to Re: Light Therapy is Working! :) » friendlyzombie, posted by Kath on March 13, 2009, at 11:03:57
i love light therapy! i use it when i wake up in bed. I just lay there with it in my lap a foot away from my face or so.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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