I pretty much keep my curtains drawn also.Housing put those new lights in the enviromentally friendly ones and they are not near as bright.Hang in there.Hopefully things will get better soon.I can't stand loud music or noise now either. God Bless marilyn

Jamie, sounds like you have more than just sensitivity to light going on in your life right now. You are not an alien, nor should you feel like one. Sensitivity to light, and noise and many other stimulants is common among Chronic Fatigue sufferers. You are not alone with this. Light seems to trigger anxiety and causes my head to actually hurt. I hate to see you taking pain killers as they can affect your mood so much.
I'm so sorry you are depressed right now. I didn't see anything on your profile about a good medication for that.
Please speak to your Dr. about these feelings of lonliness and feeling so helpless. It's not healthy for you to feel this way. The folks on this site will give lots of advice and support, but your doctor has to check you out to be sure there is nothing wrong with your eyes. If you think it's just the lights that are making you crazy right now, then just keep the curtains closed as you are doing. I just want you to know that a lot of us are sensitive to light and try to avoid it.
Please don't feel lonely, just talk about your problems to us and to your doctor, between the bunch of us, we can help you, I'm sure. Blessings to you today. I will pray for some peace and healing for you.
Sincerely DarlaC

years and years of this i cant take much more i cant sleep cause of pain i cant stay awake cause so ill and depressed what can i do , after so many years of this i cant take mch more im really at breaking point

I think Darla is right.You should try to see your Dr. tomorrow or today if you still feel so bad.Do you have a good rhemy Dr.? Depression comes with this and you really should tell Dr. just how you are feeling.I checked your profile and maybe you need something else besides trazadone to help you with depressions.We are here for you.and you are in my prayers. marilyn

im on anti depressants have been 6 weeks now but nothings changed im always the same pain all over and desperation

Janie, honey call the Dr. today. If you can't reach him today call 911 and go to emergency. They can help you and medicate you and calm you down. You are not able to think clearly right now and this is the best advice to give. Go to the emergency room and get some help. My prayers will go with you. Love, Darla

sensitivity to light is absolutely a recognized symptom of CFS!!!!!

I have worn tinted glasses INDOORS for YEARS. Can't survive under fluorescent lights or look at computer screens or TV screens without them. Have no lights on during the day at home.
As for the desperation, I agree with the other people, if there is a medical professional whom you can trust you should go . . . .
I feel the same way today but can only look to all of you on DS for help (and thank goodness for all of you and DS) because I'm in the U.S.A. and therefore can't get any kind of health care because have no money left.
I warn anyone in the U.S. not to go to a county-run crisis center for counseling because chances are the workers are incompetent, ill-trained and certainly won't understand the desperation of having CFS. I know because in a fit of desperation and panic I went to a county crisis center to ask for counseling on coping techniques so that I could think to SAVE MY LIFE. The people didn't hear a word I said except panic and depression--they heard nothing about the CAUSE, which is that I'm in a financial mess because I can't work due to CFS--AND THEY LOCKED ME UP AGAINST MY WILL IN A MEDIEVAL HOLE FOR 2 DAYS. I even told them I wasn't suicidal. They ignored my physical symptoms, refused to allow me to lie down, manhandled me and put me in "solitary" for refusing to do coloring books all day because that's what mentally ill people are supposed to do--and gave me none of my medications like for hypothyroidism and high blood pressure, etc., (everything PHYSICAL.) I AM MORE TRAUMATIZED THAN EVER. I need counseling just like you do but can't go anywhere because all charities say I have to go back to the county and obviously they didn't exactly "help" me. SO THANK GOODNESS you are in GRB and not in the U.S. BUT DO MAKE SURE the help you seek out can be trusted not to do something like that!
I really hope you grab hold of something and ride out this desperation like a weatherman reporting in a hurricane . . . .it will pass somewhat. . . . until then please know you are in so many people's thoughts.

Had it before with me it was linked to dreadful migraines, maybe worth exploring that with the G.P and a TENS machine for the pain is another idea. I really hope it clears up soon as it sounds gross.
all the best
aj

Hey Janie, You sound as if you are having a terrible time of it just now, I am glad you have found this sight. For me its been a godsend to know I am not the only one suffering all these horrible symptoms. I am sensitive to the light too so wear a pair of sunglasses sometimes in the house during the day and at night I make sure I am not looking straight at any lamps. I just bought a Tens machine from Lloyds Pharmacy for 14.99 last week. It is really good. Also, (this might sound a bit bizzare, but works for me!) Vick Vapour Rub. I put it on my joints or wherever the pain is and the heat really helps ease my pain, hope it helps you too. Getting your eyes checked would be a good move, just to rule any problem out and also going back to your doctor. I suppose they assume things are going well for us if they have given out a new drug to try and don,t hear back from us. I find the younger student doctors are the best because they are straight out of medical school and are more aware of any new trials/breakthoughs etc of things, plus they are so keen to fix you! Thats maybe an option if you don,t feel happy with the doc you have just now. Hope you know that we are all thinking about you just now and will try to help in any way we can. Take Care of U X

Hi Janie, I know exactly how you feel. Been this way for years and years. I have a weird thing too. I go crazy when in the spring or fall. Mostly the fall the lights flicker thru the leaves and drives me crazy. I feel nausa, and like I am going crazy with it. My hubby thinks I am. Something about the lights moving thru the leaves. Does anyone else have this out there?? I get those hopeless feelings too, like this will be my life forever and no hope. But someone or something will happen to bring me hope. I depend on the Lord to get me thru everyday. I take a day at a time because I can't handle to think of a week like this. All the others are right. You must find someone a good Dr. who will listen and help you. We all have to fight these funny feelings but it does get a little better sometimes and we have to learn to be grateful for them. I always see someone worse off than me when I am down. God shows me how much worse it could be. I thank him for opening my eyes to see the good no matter where I am with my illness's. Hang in there alot of good people here who care and love you. hugs.........call the dr.
Mandy

This disease is very solitary but you are not an alien. CFS causes sensitivity to light and problems with your eyes.

If your still in that much pain on pain killers you might want to get a second oppinion, by trying a new doctor or an alternative doctor. I was in so much pain to but Quantum bio-feedback god rid of mine and walking even though it killed me at first helps in the long run and so does stretching my legs out a couple times a day especially if I am really active a certain day.
Pain is a big part of causing depression and I think you need to improve your health in order to have a better outlook. Getting a little better or at least trying to will give you a slightly better outlook.
Talk to your doctor because you quality of life should be better and it can be if you find what works for you.

You might try soaking in hot baths and put in epsom salt. That helped me. They have it at walmart and a few other bath things for pain in certain isles...like the ones with lotion etc.

Good luck. You can get better. Just dont forget that and dont ever stop trying.
If you need anything or want to know what is curing me just send me a message im always thrilled to help.

Me too. I have a lot of issues with lights and brightness, plus, the sun stings my skin. It can be very isolating. I've been dealing with this for about 24 years and I've gone through periods of terrible depression. The drugs just make everything worse so I'm always looking for alternative ways to deal with it.

I'll probably never visit Las Vegas again, or any place that calls itself the city of lights. The last time I went, I just wanted to sleep the whole time. Flashing lights are the worst. Fluorescent lights give me migraines.

I covered all my windows with total block vertical blinds. I never go out without sunglasses and hat and all of my clothing has long sleeves.

My best defense against depression is distraction. A good book, tv, a movie, housework, anything productive. I play happy music and dance. I make up silly chores for myself and talk to the wild birds who visit my tiny flower garden. Exercise helps a lot, too. I can't always go to the gym, though, or walking in the park. There are just some periods when movement is counter-productive. When this happens I go on depression alert and practice some breathing exercises.

If anything, CFS is inconsistent. Soon the depression will ease up and you'll have something else to deal with. Sigh!

I have the light sensitivity too. Sometimes I will just catch a reflection off something and the after-image will linger for a long time. Whenever I go outside I'm completely covered up, often with layers to block the sun. It goes right through a single layer and I turn all red and sore after a short time in the sun.

The symptoms are really bad, but it's our tendency to over-react that makes it all so much worse. I think that's due to chemical imbalances in our dysfunctional endocrine systems.

If you can find some way to calm down and get out of this perpetual panic attack you are in, things would be much better for you. I know, I've been there many times.

I hope you find a competent physician to help you, or a way to calm yourself down. It won't make it all go away, but it may help you deal with it and make you feel better compared to where you are now.