Sad!!
 

I think I'm already suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It was so gloomy and rainy here today. Humid, too. Nothing like fall in MS. Could wear shorts on Thanksgiving Day!!

I read somewhere that there is a light or light bulbs or something similar that simulates natural daylight and it especially for people who have SAD. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? If I can find it, will buy it for myself for Christmas. Can't be more expensive than having the lights on in all the rooms. HaHa

Got to get stimulated and start sewing!!

I live in Alaska, so I know all to well of which you speak!
They have had small desktop sized SAD lights at Costco in the past, might be worth a look.

Hope this will brighten all of your gloomy days (also hope its the right thing your looking for), here's a link I found:
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...Fcqa7Qod33taqg

This is a second link I found which maybe closer to what you need I think I need one for me too

http://www.verilux.com/light-therapy...Fcfv7Qodwy3yrg

A friend of mine loves her Verilux Happy Light. You can purchase them at Walgreens. I also remember an employee at our clinic (Mayo) who had one and she said hers is because she is in her office for many hours of the day using the computer. Her office is probably standard small office with no windows. Makes sense to have one when you don't see the outside world for long stretches at a time.

Also increase your vit. D intake. Low Vit D is associated with quite a few medical issues in women, depression, obesity, breast cancer to name a few. My doc has me on 4000iu daily. Plus you need 15minutes in the sun WITHOUT sunscreen per day if you can. (it's got to do with how your body converts Vit D to a useable form. Have as much exposed skin as you can stand. When it's really cold I try for 5min at a time so I don't freeze! LOL) That and the full spectrum light have really helped me. I was able to come off the antidepressant that I would take from October until May!

Oh with the light, 15minutes is plenty of time. I had one on my desk at work to light my dark little corner. Don't use it in the evening or after about 3pm. You don't want to throw off your natural sleep rhythms.

My Dr. put me on 25,000 daily for two weeks and then decreased it to 10,000 a day during the winter. Getting 15 min of sun on 25% of your body you get over 25,000 units. During good weather I make it a priority to sit in the sun for 20 min with bare arms and legs. A simple blood test will show a vitamin D deficiency but you have to ask for it. Most Dr.s don't think about it or dismiss it thinking you get enough with foods and sun. If you aren't in the sun at all you need vitamin D in amounts you can't get in foods. Also vitamin C is important, way over the recommended amounts set as standard. Humans and frogs are the only animal species that cannot make their own vitamin C. Too much to go into but Vitamin C is very important on a daily basis. Ester C is the best for absorption. Vitamins and bright lights and you should be in a good mood all winter.

Have you been officially diagnosed with SAD? If you have, your Dr. might be able to give you a medical device prescription for a high powered light. From what I have read, (my mom suffers from SAD) you need to sit in front of the lights for at least 30 mins. in the morning. I think you would have to get mighty close to a Verilux bulb. Ultralux or Blue Max might be better. You need at least 10,000 lux, so make sure you get that with whatever light you choose.

I suffer from S.A.D. also, think I was meant to be a bear and hibernate all winter. I do like the cooler temps.

Before you start popping Vitamin D tablets be sure to talk with your doctor. My doctor has me on 800 mg, which brought my blood level up to what it is supposed to be, my husband is on 4,000 for a month then dropping it down gradually after that. It was kind of a shock to find out you have to be outside without sunscreen in order to absorb the correct rays. In San Diego we have year round sunshine, so it was weird that we would have a Vitamin D deficiency, but we wear sunscreen religiously so it made sense that was why.

My husband has a Phillips goLite. He got his from his mental health doctor. My husband was diagnosed with S.A.D and instead of increasing his medications, he has him using this light. It needs to be at least an arms length away from you and he only needs to do it for 20 minutes a day preferrably in the mornings. The top 3/4 is the actually light and the bottom 1/3 is a clock, and the timer. I looked them up on the internet and they cost $199 and I am sure that you could probably find one cheaper.

alot of good tips.

Would the lack of Vitamin D cause sleepiness in the mornings? I am up for about an hour or two and suddenly feel tired and I have to go back to bed for 2 hours. After that I am right for the rest of the day.

I am so happy that I started this thread. Such great information!!! Thanks everyone for the links to the lights I was talking about. Yes, it would be wonderful if I could get my doctor to write a prescription for a light. I haven't been officially diagnosed with SAD but if I mentioned it to my doctor, he will probably agree. I'm not taking Vit. D right now. I've just started on B12 shots and they seem to help some with my energy level.

As to sleepiness in the morning...yes...I've been waking up at a pretty normal time but if I get up and start doing something, in about 2 hours I have to lie down again. I usually get very hyper late afternoon and into the evening. Right now I'm posting at 5:00 AM CT. My sleep patterns are so messed up...I never know when I can sleep w/o taking a sleep medication.

Hope more people post with more great suggestions!

Same for me - dark coming and going from work - I've already fallen into the SAD season too.

Amazon has a lot of those lights for people suffering from SAD. I checked under sunlight lights. All different prices, also. It is worth taking a look and reading the ratings before you buy one, no matter where you buy.

I know Costco frequently carries them. I must say, I LOVE the gray and the rain. Maybe it's growing up here-I get a bit cranky when we have too much "nice" weather. A day or two of sun and I'm ready for my clouds and rain!

I Can I please print out all of your symptoms and let my doctor read them so he will know the type of problems I am having and what you are using to get the problem fixed. Thanks Annya.

I have the Blue Max floor lamp and love it. I bought two years ago when I had surgery on Jan 9 and had to stay inside for seven weeks. I knew I'd miss the sun. I can use it any time of day and still sleep. It is so bright it makes a great ironing lamp - sewing would probably be too much exposure.

You can find full-spectrum light bulbs in Lowe's and Home Depot as well as many other home center and grocery stores. My husband has issues with the dark seasons, and has had surgery for several rounds of skin cancer so he has to stay out of the sun and the fs light bulbs realy help. We've put them in all of our light fixtures and lamps and I noticed I'm feeling better myself.

Another thing to add in is Nadh. I take Enada Nadh, the most stable form. This is a Vitamin B-3 coenzyme that is essential for energy and tends to lift mood and normalize sleep patterns. It needs to be taken as soon as you get up, with a glass of water, and nothing else for 30 minutes. It makes a huge difference for me. If you Google it, you should find quite a bit of info. There are no negative side effects (except possibly to the pocketbook!). I get mine from Vitacost and take 5mg every morning. (Many people take 10mg daily.)

Would an Ott light work? I have used full spectrum light bulbs that I purchased at a health food store. I have taken Vit D and it has helped. I have large dining room windows - that is largely why I bought the house I live in.

My understanding is that the light used to treat S.A.D. needs to be not only the right type, but also of sufficient intensity. Because the intensity in light boxes is very high (so you only need to be in front of it for 20 to 30 minutes), you need to be sure it is shielded for UV so it doesn't damage eyes. Here is a Mayo Clinic article on selecting a light box:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sea...SECTIONGROUP=2

At least 10,000 lux.

Costco carries them.

Thanks for the article! I have saved it for reference.