# Light triggers symptoms
**URL:** https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620
**Category:** Symptoms š”
**Tags:** neurologist, vestibular-migraine, migraine
**Created:** [May 30, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620 "2023-05-30T14:09:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Dom](https://mvertigo.org/u/Dom)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/1 "2023-05-30T14:09:41Z")
I did a fundus examination twice and it involves direct exposure to yellow light. I always get headaches and nausea and dizziness after the exam. I had a video meeting on teams and to increase brightness I used my little sisterās ring light. And 5 mins later I got headache and dizziness. Is it even possible that light could be a major trigger like that?
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### Author:  [@sheepdog\_lord](https://mvertigo.org/u/sheepdog_lord)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/2 "2023-05-30T14:38:43Z")
do you have a history of migraines? this is typical for migraine disorders
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### Author:  [@Dom](https://mvertigo.org/u/Dom)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/3 "2023-05-30T15:31:54Z")
I donāt have a long history of migrane. It just came up all of a sudden 4 months ago. Trying to figure out whatās causing my illness, I found caffeine and bright light exposure and lack of sleep, which is one of the symptoms itself, are the biggest triggers. But the difference between me and typical migrane sufferers is that Iām suffering 24/7 not just 5 or 6 migranes a month and the rest of the month is fine Iām dealing with headaches and trampoline walking sensation and double vision and ringing in the ears among other symptoms 24/7. It waxes and waynes in terms of intensity but it never vanishes.
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### Author:  [@sheepdog\_lord](https://mvertigo.org/u/sheepdog_lord)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/4 "2023-05-30T15:59:50Z")
Have you seen a neurologist or otoneurologic physician? This sounds like migraine to me ā I had all of these symptoms.
One of the common misconceptions regarding migraine is that there has to be distinct migraine events that are characterized by the classic migraine symptoms, but this isnāt always the case, especially with Chronic Migraine. With chronic migraine, one migraine even cycle often begins before the next one ends and youāre in a constant 24/7 loop of symptoms that never really seem to change. Nobody can diagnose here, but just based on my experience and reading about yours, its possible that youāre in a constant 24/7 loop of migraines that causes your chronic symptoms. The light sensitivity and caffeine triggers are really, really telling.
Highly highly recommend trying to talk to your GP or a neurologist about migraines/what their opinion is. Vestibular Migraine/complex migraine variants are _difficult_ to treat, but they are highly treatable and most patients have favorable outcomes assuming that theyāre compliant with what their doctor prescribes. Be hopeful š«”
edit: ENT/otoneurology are good to visit too. Just make sure youāre getting physician-directed care/workup for this
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### Author:  [@turnitaround](https://mvertigo.org/u/turnitaround)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/5 "2023-05-30T16:28:08Z")
Inner or middle ear problems can cause this too. Mineās always presented as an ear issue and mixed lighting can give me neurological symptoms. Itās all connected.
I suspect it is related to the strobing.
Either way, agree, go see an oto-neurologist. They can cover it whatever the underlying issue.
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### Author:  [@sheepdog\_lord](https://mvertigo.org/u/sheepdog_lord)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/6 "2023-05-30T17:41:14Z")
Yeah you need to be worked upā¦too many causes of dizziness that need to be ruled out. Youāll be fine though ā sending you the best š
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### Author:  [@Dom](https://mvertigo.org/u/Dom)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2023, 9:22am UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/7 "2023-05-31T09:22:01Z")
I have been to 12 doctors so far. None gave me a diagnosis. Otoneurology is not available as a specialty in my country. We got ENTs, neurologists, and neurosurgeons. Iāll bring migrane up in my next visit to my neuro. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@turnitaround](https://mvertigo.org/u/turnitaround)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2023, 9:33am UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/8 "2023-05-31T09:33:39Z")
Neurologists can dispense pills but canāt examine your ears.
In any case might be worth trying a med like Amitriptyline (like I did) or venlafaxine to see if it might improve symptoms.
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### Author:  [@Dom](https://mvertigo.org/u/Dom)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2023, 9:50am UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/9 "2023-05-31T09:50:13Z")
I heard great things about ami. Iāll give it a try. Thank you!
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### Author:  [@turnitaround](https://mvertigo.org/u/turnitaround)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2025, 6:48am UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/10 "2025-05-19T06:48:55Z")
Iāve found my current kryptonite ā¦ and itās my local parks ice-cream van! š š¦ š
For some reason if I buy an ice-cream and dare to dip my head into the vans side window to collect or pay I get momentarily dizzy.
Iām certain itās the mix of natural light and the flashing strobe lighting in the van. Itās strange to have symptoms these days but this reaction is unmistakable.
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### Author:  [@TexOkie](https://mvertigo.org/u/TexOkie)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/11 "2025-05-20T00:13:20Z")
I see several TV programs and Movies have warnings at the beginning about flashing lights causing adverse health reactions in some people. I always used to wonder who those people were. Now I are one of them!
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### Author:  [@Caecg.214](https://mvertigo.org/u/Caecg.214)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/12 "2025-05-21T19:22:12Z")
I am very sensitive to light. My church revamped their lighting and I now need to wear sunglasses every Sunday at mass. If I have a headache, I wear a baseball cap as well. Friends thought I was trying to be fashionable! I need to have doctors lower their lighting in medical appointments. I find that visual field tests affect my gait so I bring a walker to help me walk out of appointments with a VFT (I have glaucoma) No problem with sounds. I am deaf.
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### Author:  [@TexOkie](https://mvertigo.org/u/TexOkie)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://mvertigo.org/t/light-triggers-symptoms/22620/13 "2025-05-22T13:36:34Z")
I had forgotten that before my neurologist found the right drug combo, I had to wear sunglasses and a ball cap every time I went anywhere that had artificial lighting. I would also close the shades in their exam room. I remember once it was so bad I closed the shades and turned off the lights. I had a full blown migraine at the time. When the doc came in the room and found me in the dark with sunglasses on, he had a look of astonishment on his face. I think that was my last visit to him, I moved on to neurologist #3 after that.