Sun...yeah I know it's supposed to make ya hyper

[revlow]

I know from everything I've read that sunshine can make a BP hyper.

It has absolutely the opposite effect on me. A week ago I made a trip that included about 12 hours of sitting in a car within 3 days. The car was air conditioned, I slathered on sunscreen every few hours, etc. And I wasn't doing the driving, so no work there.

When I got home, I slept for 2 days. I'm not kidding. 'Round the clock.

Yesterday, I had a day out. As usual I avoided the sun when I could, slathered on sunscreen, etc. I was in buildings much of the time but was out all day in the city, not at home with the shades drawn. And now all day I've been completely wiped out.

I've always hated summer, hate heat, burn easily, and so forth. I mean, every spring I'd start to dread summer. I've always tended to get depressed in the summer, but this is ridiculous.

Just wondering if this happens to other people, the being wiped out the day or two afterwards?

Also wondering if this has to do with Lamictal. This is the 1st summer I've been on an AC.

I know we all should avoid a lot of sun being BP, whether it makes you hyper or not. Here's yet another reason, in case you hadn't heard: Lamotrigine-Induced Rash After Sun Exposure.

Any comments appreciated.

revlow

[Penny Century]

a lot of people get wiped out in summer because of the heat. afternoon naps are a great thing, it's sad that the tradition is being slowly wiped out in europe and south america as places get more americanized.

it could also be the lamictal. lamictal and a lot of other ACs cause sun sensitivity. as in "but i was only outside for 30, why am i red and peeling" kinda sensitive. sunblock won't take care of all of that if you're that sensitive. esp. if you're the type of person who used to burn in 30 minutes anyway. (i've heard there are people who can tan, they confuse me.)

anyway, it could be that the sun sensitivity is making the exposure you are having more damaging and draining that it once was.

are you making sure to drink enough water and replenish your electrolytes? (i know it's SO silly and a gimick but i've been buying that silly "smart water" this summer... i think i was the sucker born last minute.)

there are certain disorders that sun exposure causes to "flare" but i don't think you need to worry too much about that unless there are other symptoms. i'm guessing it's the lamictal.

hope you're feeling ok today.

penny

[lilie]

I hate the sun it sucks big time. I seal off all the windows to keep things darker. I think it's the lamictal too.

Lilie

[frosty]

I know from everything I've read that sunshine can make a BP hyper.

It has absolutely the opposite effect on me. A week ago I made a trip that included about 12 hours of sitting in a car within 3 days. The car was air conditioned, I slathered on sunscreen every few hours, etc. And I wasn't doing the driving, so no work there.

When I got home, I slept for 2 days. I'm not kidding. 'Round the clock.

Yesterday, I had a day out. As usual I avoided the sun when I could, slathered on sunscreen, etc. I was in buildings much of the time but was out all day in the city, not at home with the shades drawn. And now all day I've been completely wiped out.

I've always hated summer, hate heat, burn easily, and so forth. I mean, every spring I'd start to dread summer. I've always tended to get depressed in the summer, but this is ridiculous.

Just wondering if this happens to other people, the being wiped out the day or two afterwards?

Also wondering if this has to do with Lamictal. This is the 1st summer I've been on an AC.

I know we all should avoid a lot of sun being BP, whether it makes you hyper or not. Here's yet another reason, in case you hadn't heard: Lamotrigine-Induced Rash After Sun Exposure.

Any comments appreciated.

revlow

I was on Lamotrigine for 2 previous summers and the sun and heat were destroying me and making me extremely fatigued..

I was never really aware of the correllation between the 2(sun/lamictal) as PDocs usually assume the condition ( Depression - anxiety ) are at fault for symptons such as sweating , fatigue ect ect.

and patients almost always blame the meds.. The rash seemingly from Lamotrigine is again a possible result of anxiety, but PDocs never risk the possibility it is truly lamtrgne induced rash (.P.S with or without sun...The rash can appear long after treatment begins. As I got a rash well into my usage, abrubt discontinuation was advised byPdoc.. As things turned out, the heat ceased to exhaust me and my energy level improved even after being outside. My assumption is sun and heat sensitivety are side effects of lamotrigine . Oh yah the rash came back I had a physical issue to deal with... psoriatic arthritis. also known as rash face if you get a breakout.Hope it helps Frosty..

[Wonder]

I'll let you know if I ever see the sun again. The weather here sucks.

I usually like the sun, but it's way too hot in my apartment during the summer, which is really uncomfortable and tiring. I need to get a new fan, in case the sun ever comes out again here.

[revlow]

Thanks everyone!

I've always been extremely sun sensitive and very careful. Well, with the exception of when I was a kid growing up in Southern California in the 1950s and '60s and skin the tone of leather was the norm, the ideal of beauty. After enough really bad burns endured throughout my childhood from trying to fit in, I finally gave up and accepted my fair skin.

I know Lamictal is known to increase sun sensitivity, and I think that is what's happening to me. On top of that, I live at high altitude, about 6,600 -7,000+ feet. When I drive over the mountain to go to the nearest city, it's about 11,000 feet. So, that doesn't help. I recently read that the rate of skin cancer goes up 10% for every 1000 ft. above sea level.

The trip I made last week was going to sea level. I think any sun does me in. I bet though that living at high altitude probably makes it worse in general. Just that much closer to ol' Mr. Sol. Or as I call him El Diablo.

Thanks again. Now, let's all cover up!

[Breeze]

Could it partly be due to the stress you've been under these past few months?

Breeze

[Loon-A-TiK]

I think summer has its own sleepy qualities. Just the heat. And also, when we were kids, we got the summer off and could sleep if we wanted. Maybe we're still in that mode. I wouldn't blame Lamictal. For me anyway, I've never had a side effect from it.

[revlow]

Could it partly be due to the stress you've been under these past few months?

Thanks for thinking of this, Breeze. The stress probably contributes to it, but I don't think it's the whole picture. The 1st time roomie and I went to the university to meet with the docs re: roomies prostate cancer, it wasn't so sunny yet. Same amount of time in car, same time spent in city. I came back invigorated.

I've always had a problem with the sun, and don't like heat and summer in general. But I've never felt such a direct correlation between time spent in the sun and feeling sick and wiped out afterwards. I mean, other than when I was a kid and got horrendous sunburns.

But now I'm not really getting burned -- I do my best not to, wear a 55 SPF sunscreen, and so forth. I am finding it is taking less for me to get pink and for patches of my skin to not be happy. Like the right side of my neck, the side that faces out toward window of passenger's side of car -- again try my best to avoid this from happening, but...

Afterwards will stay in house next day or more, baby my skin, etc.

This just seems different. Lamictal is the biggest new variable. Think it's likely related.

Need to get one of the very ugly hats sold by companies like Coolibar, the ones with the flap that hangs around your entire neck. Ugly, but I'm sure would be helpful with the neck burning problem. Here, scroll down to the bottom of this page and you'll see the flap hats I mean: http://www.coolibar.com/women-s-hats.html

If you pass by me on the freeway, wave. I'll be the one wearing the ugly hat, while in the car.

[withing]

I've always hated the Summer! I can't stand the sun! I wipes me out every time. If I'm in the sun for an extended period of time, I am tired, tired, tired. Not only that, but I burn easily and it's annoying! I can't go to the beach unless it's at night or early morning or I will be wiped out for days! My house in the Summer always has the shades drawn all day to keep the sun *out*.

I drag in the summer... I mean drag. I'm lethargic to the point of hardly getting anything done. I thrive in the Fall and the Winter, but late Spring and Summer months just drag me down like a big wet wooly blanket. Ugh I hate it. So, no you are not alone in it.

I can handle sunny days in any other season, but Summer... forget it Can't blame Lamictal here, because I'm not on it...

[MiaB]

It's winter here right now and I must say it's a huge relief. Summer was torture for me and I just couldn't handle the heat. My pdoc said the main culprit was Trileptal, which makes you hyper sun sensitive (I was warned that if I burned it would turn purple... now there's a deterrent if I've ever heard one) But it makes sense that Lamictal, as another AC, might have the same effect. And the fact that you're so high above sea level must play some sort of role.

Sorry, not very helpful -- just wanted to say that I empathise. Pity you can't take a quick sojourn to my part of the world to have some breathing space!

S

PS the hats aren't all that bad, but I must admit that the Chlorine Resistant Ultra Sport Hat is somewhat alarming

[LikeMinded]

Sunlight tends to make me depressed, especially in the summer.

It's been hovering around 100F/38C here the past day or two (and will for the next few days), and although the western monsoon winds make it very dry (i.e. not humid), it's still absolute hell.

Though, I'm just depressed as I'm prisoner in my apartment since I rapidly deteriorate in the heat. =P

I'm melting! I'm melting...

--herrfous

[ldo]

Sunlight doesn't make me feel bad, but heat beyond what I'm used to does. Was out yesterday with a stomach full of fast food and just couldn't take it. So eat light, and eat well. No McDonald's. I get dehydrated and feel exhausted, but a few glasses (or, on a really hot day) half a gallon of water will fix it nicely. (Whiz almost clear or you're not drinking quite enough.)

Driving (and, I'll bet) riding can wear you out in bright weather if you don't wear sunglasses. Running around town can be pretty tiring too. Probably there's lots of glare driving and around town that you wouldn't get going for a hike. Or so I theorize.

Anyway, I suppose there's more going on than that, but the above will make things worse.

I gradually get used to the heat. Takes me two weeks if it's hot most days and I'm working out when it's hot. Feel like I'm going to die on first day, not too bad by the 15th day. However, I still need loads of H20, especailly with the meds I'm taking.

I guess the above is not particular to your dx, but I bet it contributes to feeling wiped out.

[LikeMinded]

Ido et al ---

I wish I could go work out now. I'd wanted to get a membership at my employer's gym ($20/mo. payroll deduction, a good deal since the facility rivals the most expensive private health clubs), but there's a slight technical difficulty as the gym, as well as the building I work in, are a 20 minute walk from my car.

And don't even think for once I can work out in the heat... A workout at ambient room temperature easily turns me cherry red and drenched in sweat. Two of my "MS" attacks were precipitated by such workouts. :-X

I'm not sure that trying to work out now would be such a "cool" idea, so to speak, as here we spend about 4 months with the AVERAGE high well over 90F. The last thing I want to do after overheating in a workout is to then walk 20 minutes in the hot sun.

And again, don't even think for a minute that I'm going to attend the fireworks displays today for the 4th... today's high will be about 105. :-X