Anyone used SAD lamps before?

Bananaleaf

Hi there

I'm wondering if anyone has used a SAD lamp before and if so, how did they find it?

I'm looking at two different ones at the moment in Boots - both Lumie ones. One is about €90 and the other is €160.

http://www.boots.ie/en/Lumie-Bodyclock-Starter-30_983843/

http://www.boots.ie/en/Lumie-Arabica-SAD-light_1133459/

The second, more expensive one seems to be more targeted towards SAD but the first one seems to be good for it too.

Have read the reviews for both but still really unsure as to which I should get.

Does anyone have any input at all? Any experiences?

What's actually wrong with me - low mood, mild mild mild depression in the winter months (which ends up being most of the year!!) and just general gloominess at not being able to get out and do anything. I really resent the dark going to work and dark coming home thing too.

Mods - this is a kind of a duplicate thread - I also posted in Long Term Illness as I wasn't sure where to post - I was thinking this forum is maybe busier and a better idea, so if you have to delete one thread would you please leave this one open? Thank you.

Dolbert

My husband gets SAD pretty bad once the autumn sets in. He manages it with a combination of SAD lamp and vitamin D capsules. I think he has the more expensive lamp and finds it does make a difference, especially if used in the morning.

Bananaleaf

Dolbert wrote: »

My husband gets SAD pretty bad once the autumn sets in. He manages it with a combination of SAD lamp and vitamin D capsules. I think he has the more expensive lamp and finds it does make a difference, especially if used in the morning.

Thank you. This is the one I am now leaning towards after having completed a very basic survey on their website

http://www.lumie.com/collections/wake-up-lights/products/bodyclock-starter-30

The only worry is that my OH thinks the light may end up being too strong and an irritant - but I'm thinking sure we'll be getting up anyway!

I'm hoping this will be what we need to improve things during the winter

Just to say, the two links are for two completely different type of product. The first one is a wake up light alarm, I have a similar one and find it does make a big difference to my mood and to how easily I can get out of bed. It's not for treating SAD or any kind of depression, just for making getting up in the dark easier by helping regulate sleep and wake hormones.

The second product is a SAD light. It's not an alarm or wakeup device, but a unit specifically designed to alleviate SAD by emitting light that simulates bright daylight in color and lumen intensity, and tricks your brain chemistry into thinking it's not winter.

It's worth consulting your doctor to determine what exactly the problem is and which device, if any, would suit your needs.

Bananaleaf

Candie wrote: »

Just to say, the two links are for two completely different type of product. The first one is a wake up light alarm, I have a similar one and find it does make a big difference to my mood and to how easily I can get out of bed. It's not for treating SAD or any kind of depression, just for making getting up in the dark easier by helping regulate sleep and wake hormones.

The second product is a SAD light. It's not an alarm or wakeup device, but a unit specifically designed to alleviate SAD by emitting light that simulates bright daylight in color and lumen intensity, and tricks your brain chemistry into thinking it's not winter.

It's worth consulting your doctor to determine what exactly the problem is and which device, if any, would suit your needs.

Thanks for your input. I do know they are two different products, I mentioned that in my OP. It's more the first link that I think we are looking for, opposed to the SAD lamps. You have had a good experience with the lights?

Antarctica

I have a lumie bodyclock at home. They are really good. Wish I had brought it with me.

Can definitely help make you wake up more refreshed and feels a lot more natural than waking abruptly in the dark to a nasty alarm clock. You'll have to replace the bulb in them now and again.

It can be even used as a reading lamp too.

fits

Ive used a wake up light and found it quite good. Sadly it broke and i have yet to replace it.

We had the SAD lamps at work. Im not sure if they had any effect. Also take vitamin D. Thats important.

Bananaleaf

Antarctica wrote: »

I have a lumie bodyclock at home. They are really good. Wish I had brought it with me.

Can definitely help make you wake up more refreshed and feels a lot more natural than waking abruptly in the dark to a nasty alarm clock. You'll have to replace the bulb in them now and again.

It can be even used as a reading lamp too.

How often do you need to change bulbs?If using Oct - March will I need to change it between then? Just to so so maybe I would buy the extra bulb while I'm buying the product

Bananaleaf

fits wrote: »

Ive used a wake up light and found it quite good. Sadly it broke and i have yet to replace it.

We had the SAD lamps at work. Im not sure if they had any effect. Also take vitamin D. Thats important.

Ill have to grab some vitamin d in shops too.

Are the SAD lights meant to give out vit d? Is that even possible?

I have a Lumie wakeup light. This one: http://www.boots.ie/en/Lumie-Bodyclock-Active-250_1133457/

Got it for €23 when Boots had a price error last year...wooo! Anyway, I find it great in the winter. In the summer it's no use because we have very light curtains and the sun wakes me up. It's more for waking up more naturally, not really for treating moods/depression. You would need a proper SAD lamp for that I'd say!

whiskeyman

I highly recommend one of the wake up lights.
Aldi have one usually around Sept or Oct for 40 quid or so and is brilliant!

Antarctica

Bananaleaf wrote: »

How often do you need to change bulbs?If using Oct - March will I need to change it between then? Just to so so maybe I would buy the extra bulb while I'm buying the product

You probably will need to change it, maybe once. Its a pretty standard bulb, you can just pick one up in Woodies etc. Bring the old one with you and get the same one.

lazeedaisy

I bought my husband this clock
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VI7K2C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Back in 2008. He was diagnosed with SAD 2 years ago. The light is amazing, the first time we used it he woke up singing! Trust me, it worked. We usually take it out in October every year, but I think we may need it sooner since the summer was bad.

I know the lamp is no longer available, but similar would work.

I cannot recommend a product like this enough for someone who suffers from depression, as I have been living with my husbands depression 5 years now. It's awful to see him when it takes over, but nowadays we manage it, and this product is really a godsend in managing it. We did not use it one year and by god we suffered the consequences, as he had a bad setback late in the winter. We would highly recommend being proactive early on, and buying something like this is a good approach.

Day Lewin

I bought the SAD light last year. It was a dreadfully dark winter and I get quite despairing of the light.
I placed it near the computer and sometimes moved it to beside my sewing machine - places where I sit a long time.

Yes, it helped: quite a bit, I think. But not as good as natural daylight - I find that on any day the clouds clear a bit, I get more benefit by being actually OUTDOORS - and I even take off my specs and gaze right at the sky, while getting some brisk exercise by striding round the local park.

Apparently the "rays" (??) (or would they be Luxes?) don't penetrate through glass, not even spectacles. You must get daylight right into the naked eye and straight to the brain, or the mood HQ or whatever it is.

So yes, SAD light really helps on dark days. If you're depressed, I'd have no hesitation in recommending it.
But real daylight, even feeble winter noon daylight, is better still [just my opinion]

PS I do get winter depression something chronic, always have. By February I am like a ghost. I know what I'm talking about, with this.

whiskeyman

whiskeyman wrote: »

I highly recommend one of the wake up lights.
Aldi have one usually around Sept or Oct for 40 quid or so and is brilliant!

Aldi have the sunrise alarm clocks for €30 next Thursday, 8th Oct.
https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thu-8-oct/products-detail-page/ps/p/sunrise-alarm-clock-2/