I know that they are better for the planet, but I truly dislike them.  Even though the ones sold now are supposed to be an improvement over the bulbs from even a year or so ago, I still think that they just suck the energy, not to mention the Vitamin D, right out of you.  I'm trying to be a good, little enviro-chick by using the twisty, noodley ones to replace incandescent bulbs (found some with less mercury in them), but, gosh, you cannot even find a comfortable place to sit and read and be able to see decently by the darn things.  I finally broke down and bought some of Sylvania's elogic bulbs for reading.

 

However, at work there isn't anything that I can do to avoid the older tube bulbs that they have in the ceiling light fixtures.  We have a couple of cases of replacements awaiting use in our stock room, which means that we won't be getting any newer, supposedly better, ones anytime in the next decade or two.

 

As far as being a trigger, I'm guessing that it is because the light they produce seems to flicker or pulse or something.  I'm sure that there is some electronic geekie or geekette amongst us who knows all about them, or maybe someone will be motivated to do a little research on exactly how they work.  Until then, aside from the whole headachy and sore neck thing, how is the new job going?  We want details, especially if they are weird and gory ones.

 

Because Kel is under attack from the refugees from the Planet of the Flaky Flourescents, she is still... you know where.

Well, the job....it's going.  lol  I was looking for something the other day and the pharmacist kept saying "To your left Kel, to your left, right at eye level"...Well, he knows about my eye trouble, so that was his idea of a joke! What a card.  We are still not busy, so I am getting doled out to another pharmacy once or twice a week at risk of getting cut back to 20 hrs/week if I don't.  Now, let's see....gory...well, there was that guy with the flesh eating bacteria on his knee, and the gentleman with the oozing poison sumac.  Oh, and let's not forget the stinky garbage man who kept checking me out through the drive up window.....ick.  Other than that....I love my job!  woo hoo!

How many fluorescent bulbs have I broken?  None.  But, I do know how to handle them should that happen.  And, it's not just the twisty ones that have the mercury issue, all fluorescent bulbs do.  What makes the twisty ones more eco friendly is their size and the decreased amount of energy that they use, but you already knew that. 

 

There are plenty of people, hundreds of thousands or more, who use the long, thin ones in lighting fixtures in their kitchens, basements and garages who have absolutely no idea of how to handle a broken bulb. 

 

When I think of all the times that I put a mercury laden thermometer into the mouth of a child (or anyone for that matter) it just chills me.  Now, mercury thermometers, I've broken a few of those.  It's a wonder any of us survived our childhoods. 

 

You mean there's something wrong with playing with that little dot of silver when you break the thermometer?  Oh my!!!!

 

We're busy replacing our incandescent light bulbs with the noodly ones.  But we are only doing the overhead bulbs right now.  You know the hall, the kitchen, etc.  I did find out that the newer ones are VERY bright when you by the same "wattage", and when I put one in my little white, white guest bathroom, I had to spend the day cleaning, because the new light was so white that you thought you were going into some scary movie sceen bathroom, and that any minute the crazy nurse was going to come in and "help" you with something!  The good news-my bathroom is much cleaner these days.  One more thing to obsess on, Juds.  Like I don't have enough!

I was hoping that you'd get around to doing something in that bathroom.

I forgot to ask...even though we try to avoid shamess commerce here, I'm sure that I'm not the only person who would like to know the brand of that bulb that you bought.  Surely, a light bulb bright enough to make your little bathroom even scarier than it already is would be bright enough by which to read.  I am looking forward to long, easy evenings, curled up in my favorite chair, draped with fluffy blankets and cats, sipping mint tea and reading trashy books.

I'll have to ask my hubby.  He's in charge of the house maintenance issues.  Especially anything that involves standing on a stool or ladder.  Between my bad foot and my wonky eye, I have been been banned from all things that involve leaving the floor, except climbing into my bed!

 

I can tell you that the wattage is 75 regular watts, and since we found out that the previous owners had put in 40 watts in the only fixture in the room, it's not surprising that it's so much brighter!  So consider upping your wattage.  Also, keep in mind that the lights warm up slowly and they will get brighter as the bulb warms up.  See, now that we're talking about it, I'm going to have to go in there again and check it out.  It's so bright in there now, that I usually don't even turn on the overhead light, I just use the little night light!

 

At least now I know why you didn't spend the night with me!  LOL!

Yeah, you know how hard it is to tell your friend how bright and scary parts of her house are, especially when it would make dinner so awkward later.

 

And, I still need the brand name, baby, 'cuz the ones I have are very yellow-y and not so great for reading.  So, track down the mister and grill him until he gives up the information.  I know, put him in the scary bathroom until he cracks.  It's bad enough having weird eyes and vision without also having a bulb that won't give you a break.  Sad story, huh?

The light flickering thing has been a discomfort for me as long as I can remember. Flickering flourescent lights are replaced asap!

 

Riding my bike through the woods on a sunny day is a real issue. The sunlight coming through the trees mimics a strobe light, and I can't see very well during the 'lighted up' period or the 'dark' period. 

 

At work I have a task light for my close work. It was recommened to get an Ott-Lite. They have white light, easy on the eyes. You can get them at arts and crafts/sewing stores light JoannFabrics. I too have the regular office flourescent lights, but as long as they 'behave' themselves, it's not an issue.

Diane, I know the lights to which you refer.  They are a bit pricey, but if they work they are certainly worth it.  The fabric store often offers coupons that would help with the cost.

 

It would be helpful if you could explain how this particular light aids in being able to see well despite your SOM symptoms.  So, what performance factor of the light helps you?