Christmas lights...no, no, no!
Greetings...folks...this is the first year...Christmas lights are bothering my photophobia/migraine, especially the flashing ones. Anyone else? I get a migraine after, no seizures - I don't want to present myself as a drama queen, it's just like...wow, one more thing I can't enjoy. I found the white/warm glow lights to not be so bad. So may have to switch to all-white lights on inside tree (1st world problem, I know), but you would think I asked my unsentimental husband to cut off a finger. Bah humbug. Going to put up (or down), what I want. Anyone else? -Lisa
My heart feels for you,
. I also struggle with lights that strobe. It's almost like they physically cause pain in my brain when I see them. Your idea to switch to warm glowing lights sounds reasonable. Is your husband wanting lights that are more colorful? Wonder if you could decorate the tree with ornaments of the colors he wants, to help balance out the lights not having it. Just a thought! - Cody (Team Member) 
I think Cody's recommendation,
, to compromise is a great resolve in this predicament. But as you say being quite unsentimental may sway him to not cooperate. Booooo. The past few years I have had issues with lights, especially the bright blue lights, but also flashing lights. We have no indoor or outdoor flashing. He understands and agrees. And, we don't go to see the light displays around town either. My man's okay about that but I am sure if he wanted to see them, I'd have an issue. Unfortunately, strobe lighting and swirling/spinning camera shots in movies have begun to be an issue lately also. So we turn the movie off. I find it difficult to watch. He knows he will watch it on his own. I would hope your guy would consider your medical condition, that you both compromise on what is best, and that you are happy with the decision. Marriage is hard. Compromising is hard. This article may give you a little insight https://migraine.com/stories/social-compromise (read the comments-quite helpful) Wishing you the best this season. Rebecca (team member) Thanks Everyone! And, Happy Ending on this one, in the end...he conceded that if it makes me miserable, we can change. But wow, this year...the Christmas commercials are even affecting me...the chaos of them, and they are on repeat. Already! It's not even Thanksgiving yet! First World problems though, hey...we have food on the table, warm house, I'll still have bad days, and so will my family members in their own way(s), as long as we support each other. It's tough - we all need a forum like this to have our backs. GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU -Lisa
I hear you! I feel like the holiday commercials start earlier and earlier each year. It would be nice to get through Thanksgiving before they all start!
Support is so important - we're so happy you are part of our community!
Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
Lights in general always trigger me! Yesterday my family gave me a happy birthday crown with flashing lights on it and I felt like a real grinch because I didn’t want to wear it and couldn’t stand to see the lights on
first happy birthday! I hope that despite the triggering crown, you had a wonderful birthday. Situations like that can be so awkward and frustrating at the same time. You know that you need to stick up for yourself and advocate for what you need in that moment (no flashing lights!) but it can be hard when it's in such a good-intentions scenario. At the end of the day though, nobody wants to see you have a migraine, especially not on your birthday so you have to do what's best for you and try your best not to worry about other people's "interpretation" of your decision. I hope you're feeling well today and I'm wishing you a wonderful (and low pain) year ahead.
Alene (team member)
