Energy-Saving Bulbs Causing Migraine Headaches

The article is incomplete. For those of us who suffer from migraine and/or cluster headaches, conventional fluorescent lamps with their obvious flicker (60 Hz) are quite painful. However, installing high-frequency high-efficiency ballasts on conventional fluorescent bulbs completely solves the problem, and saves a tremendous amount of electric cost. Rest assured that the current generation of compact fluorescent bulbs for replacement of incandescent bulbs will have high-prequency ballasts (20 kHz or so), and therefore they are not at all a problem for migraine sufferers.

From a lighting expert:
There is an alternative...using natural daylight lighting which is different than normal fluorescents. There is no flicker and helps eliminate headaches and eyestrain as the light is more natural, whiter and brighter. It is also just as eco friendly as normal fluorescents too. Currently products like this sell on QVC and a few major retailers. LED's are the waive of the future but still immature as the light output is low and the cost very high.

To help prevent headaches or skin irritations tied to fluorescent lamps, use warmer colors.On the package look for the color 2700k 3000k 3500k 4100k.Use 2700k - 3000k (warmer colors).And Laprns,don't worry solid state lighting i:e LED's
are fast approching and are much safer for the planet.

I knew there was something wrong with those things. Everytime I walk into my son's room I feel like I'm looking at strobe lights. I have problems with migraines and these bulbs are absolute triggers.

Just another way to suck more money from the consumer.As if things don't cost enough,what happened to be an individual,just because it is good for one person doesn't mean it is good for everyone else.One word discibes this,absurd.

Hospitalization-grade Migraines for me come from:
--flickering flourescent lights (CFL, too maybe)
--flickering computer screens
--those blue/purple foreign-car headlights
--Home Depot purple or pink in-store lights
--Chemical air fresheners
--Chemical scented candles
--Chemicals from Bath & Body mall shops

STOP buying these things and end the demand for them. How many artificial lighting & scenting & sweetening concoctions can the human body survive?

You all comment as though these are a NEW item. Perhaps we were in a test market area many years ago. We had them in every light fixture we could, and we didn't repurchase any of them for reasons of expense, disposal, and purpose of lighting (eg office/reading/handwork).

It still comes back to basics.

You want to use less electricity....use the smallest wattage bulb for your purpose and then....turn off the lights when you leave the room. Turn your thermostat down another 2 degrees and wear another layer of clothes or wrap up in an afghan.

You want to consume less gasoline?...make your trips count(do multiple tasks when out), use public transportation if in a city, or carpool. I know of more people who drive higher mpg vehicles and because they get such "great" mileage, run the wheels off them while they look down their nose at my SUV.

While I am at it, if I am to beleive that ice covered a great portion of the midwest some many thousands of years ago, and thus created great rivers, mountains, and plains, then I think I am going to assume that we have been warming globally for many thousands of years...with no contribution by man.

To the person asking - yes, they come in 3 way and dimmable types now. Have used them for over 3 years -never replaced one and really decreases the light bill.

Compact fluorescent lamps, CFL's, have been around for a long time. It's popularity as an energy saver has created competitive producers of these lamps, especially in the self ballasted retro fit business. The competitive production increases have made the CFL's more affordable and more reliable due to the increased technological improvements. Of these improvements is there is less or no flicker. except when the lamp is nearing its end of life. I recommend sticking with the major brands that have the resources to produce a quality lamp, i.e. Philips, GE, Sylvania. L.E.D. lamps are a few years out in having enough light output with the warmer colors.

Bought a flurosent bulb, love them in the kitchen . was a 10 yr warranty, but i always misplace the receipt. put in chandelier. burnt out next day. had four in a package, they lasted each one day !! wow and i paid nearly 10.00 for each one ! I like traditional liteing while sewing, and living and bedrooms. but enjoy the other lites in kitchen,and laundry areas. but not at 10.00 a day per litebulb! Looks like need a fireplace and oil like in my grandmothers day.

I heard a Polish Study showed they cause excessive WHINING. Or maybe not.

These energy saving bulbs DON'T cause MIGRAINE head achs...we are a familty of migraine sufferers WAY before these bulbs were even thought of. Now I say it's the regulare old fashioned bulbs that are causing the head achs. I have switched over to the twirly bulbs, do not have one regular bulbs left in my house.

i am hearing impaired these new twisted bulbs cause static in my hearing aids and my tv ears makeing a bad situation when im around these bulbs.

This is a bunch of BS

When I had to repace my lightbulbs, I figured to go with the new flourecent bulbs, and maybe save some money. But in reading this article,it makes sense- I was diagnosed with migraines at 12, and now at 40 they are getting much worse. Since this is a side effect of the bulbs-I'm getting rid of them-and using the good old fashioned ones. Also, my eye doctor told my that flourescent lights are the worst for your eyes- because of the constant flickering.

Perhaps this article solved a muystery! I recently began switching to these bulbs as my conventional ones burned -out. Never one to have headaches, I have had headaches since I switched my bedside reading lamp to them. I never connected this to the bulbs until I read this article.

In addition to costing more and creating landfill problems, these bulbs do NOT last any longer than incandescant. This is probably just another scam to make us have to pay more $$. Everything boils down to that anyway.

I found 3-Way Florescent bulbs at Lowe's store.

I think everyone needs to know the bulbs contain as much Mercury and in some cases more as the long lamps. I say if you use them ask Wal- Mart to dispose of it for you. You could mail them to your goverment in Washington,no wait a minute thats likely not legal.

I have tried these new bulbs and have had them removed from my house. I would never voluntarily use them again. The light is dimmer (same wattage as traditional bulbs), depressing, and hurt my eyes, which will start headaches, as well. I'm concerned about the higher mercury content, disposal problems, and agree that they have not been adequately researched before jumping another cost-cutting bandwagon, which will, I believe, end up creating more expense in other ways in the final picture.