The computer screen is a trigger for my migraines. Does anyone know a way to avoid this without giving up my computer? I have a laptop and have tried to change angles and distance to no avail. I do not get migraines from TV. And the duration of time I can spend on the computer gets shorter and shorter before the migraine occurs. Do the anti-glare screens help?
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Q: How can I use my computer without triggering a migraine?
Answers (3)
11/25/09 3:08pm
Sue,
The first thing is to figure out what it is about using your laptop that's triggering Migraines. Yes, it could be the brightness, and adjusting brightness and background colors are good places to start. A glare screen is also a good thought.
Something else to take a look at is your posture when using your laptop. Are you sitting at a desk or table with it? Are you sitting up straight? Bad posture while using the computer could certainly bring on a headache that could quickly trigger a Migraine.
You should also mention this to your doctor to see if he or she has any tips.
Please let us know how you work this out?
Good luck,
Teri
11/22/09 6:23pm
On my computer keyboard there are two keys: an "fn" button (bottom left) and at the top a "f7" button with an arrow pointing down and a sun on it. If I hold down the "fn" button and then the light-reducing "f7" button, I can reduce the light on my screen. There is probably some way that you can also reduce how bright your computer display is also. My daughter helped me do it. It helps a lot.
Even so, some days I just can't even look at the computer without getting a headache. Good luck!
11/22/09 6:48pm
I have my monitor at the lowest brightness setting I can take, but sometimes the bright white background in some applications or websites are still too much for me especially since I work on a computer all day long.
I have problems working on my laptop at times too. I changed my window background from bright white to an ivory or off white color which has helped a lot. This changed it for most of the windows I view on my computer system wide. It includes email, the Microsoft applications I use as well as Internet sites where the white background no longer appear white to me. My head feels so much calmer now then with the white screaming at me.
I went into the control panel and then the display options from the start, setting options menu. Computer systems do vary as to where you should go so your path may not be the same as mine. While in my display properties, I went to an Appearance tab where I could see an Active Window box with the white background. I have an Advanced button on this page that I clicked into. I changed the Item: to Window where I could see the Color 1 was white. I picked an off white color from the Other color template and now my window background is not piercing my head.
Another hint which I learned from this site is the emoticons that keep moving around can be bothersome to some people at times; did you know you can hit the Esc button to make them stop moving? I know there are times they give me more trouble especially when they are strung across in a post and the Esc key will stop them cold.
Although I don't currently have an anti-glare screen, I have used one in the past and it has helped especially if you have lights reflecting off your screen.
Good luck!
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By Sue— Last Modified: 12/04/10, First Published: 11/22/09
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Thanks, I followed your advice and have changed my displays to a light blue-grey and it does feel more comfortable.