[Jovi]

I don't have a Kindle -- yet! I'm a long-time migraine sufferer and frequent ones at that....about two or three per week. Although I'm under the regular care of a top migraine specialist/neurologist and have had all the tests and am on hopeful migraine preventive medications, I still need to avoid known triggers to help reduce the frequency. One known trigger is spending too much time at the computer, despite which type of monitor I use. Reading from a standard book is not a trigger. I've been attracted to the idea of the Kindle because it seems the display might be much more agreeable than the computer monitors. I know Kindle has a 30-day return policy, which will come in useful, but overall I'm just plain curious about any other migraine sufferers who have Kindles.

If anyone here had migraines before they purchased their Kindle or know someone who did, can you please share that experience? Thanks.

 

[tc]

Yep, have them all the time. When I get one I get put to bed.  I have had my Kindle since Feb and have no problems with it being a trigger.  However my triggers may be different from yours. Do you know of anyone with a Kindle?  If so you might ask it you can try it.  There is what some call a flash as you turn the page. The only trouble I have with it is my eyes tend to dry out because I don't blink as often. Put in drops and I am good to go.

 

[sebat]

I get them.  Not a often as I use to...thank goodness. I usually only get one every few months, now.  When I was in my twenties, I was on prescription med for them.  I've gotten pretty good at knowing when ones coming on.  If I can catch it quick enough, a Goody and a Coke will usually stop it.

Had one last night, though.  It was my first since I got my Kindle back in August.  After a 2 hour nap, I still had pain but was able to read on my Kindle without any problems.  I love the fact there's no backlight to the screen.  The flash might be an issue for you, but I don't think basic reading will be a problem.  I've learned to blink my eyes when I turned the page, the flash doesn't bother me that way.  It's now automatic and I don't even realize I'm doing it.  You can also increase font size to reduce your eye strain. 

I'm always looking for OTC ways to help me along when I have one. Have you ever tried the icy hot patches?  Instead of the ones for headaches, I buy the bigger ones and cut them in half.  Put one on my forehead and one on my neck.  It really helps to ease the pain. 

I think you will love your Kindle.  No worries, you've got 30 days to decide. 

 

[MonaSW]

I get very frequent migraines and have NOT had one triggered by reading the Kindle. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Linda Cannon-Mott]

I also suffer from migraines but have the same experience as Sebat. I don't have this as often anymore,a Goody's and a Coke if taken quickly works for me. I also used to be on prescription med for them. The Kindle has not been a trigger point for me. . Remember the 30 day return policy, I would think if the Kindle triggered a migraine it would happen quickly. Hope this helps.

 

[sherylb]

I too suffer from migraines and have had them for over 25 years now. I went through all the Dr's and medications and have found that a form of bio-feedback works the best for me. I had to go off of the migraine meds about a year after I started them because they were causing other problems so I had to find an alternative that would work.

The main thing with the Kindle is it is not backlit, nor does it flicker. It does have the "flash" when turning pages, which I got used to in about 10 minutes and now don't even see. I can't watch IMAX films because the flicker makes me seasick and gives me a migraine. But what I have found is if I have a not too bad migraine, that is one I can mostly function with, I can sit in my chair with the lights off and can still read my Kindle because it has an inert display and the font can be sized up so I don't have to have a light on to read.

Good luck! 

 

[sjc]

In bed for 3 days at a time; puking up a lung...complete darkness; can't even have the flicker of a tv.  Spent countless hours being tested and treated for severe vertigo:  DECIDED on my own, to keep a food journal...culprit...ONIONS.  No onions; no severe migraines...some headaches, but no pouncers for 3+ months now.

 

[Betsy the Quilter]

I don't have a Kindle -- yet! I'm a long-time migraine sufferer and frequent ones at that....about two or three per week. Although I'm under the regular care of a top migraine specialist/neurologist and have had all the tests and am on hopeful migraine preventive medications, I still need to avoid known triggers to help reduce the frequency. One known trigger is spending too much time at the computer, despite which type of monitor I use. Reading from a standard book is not a trigger. I've been attracted to the idea of the Kindle because it seems the display might be much more agreeable than the computer monitors. I know Kindle has a 30-day return policy, which will come in useful, but overall I'm just plain curious about any other migraine sufferers who have Kindles.

If anyone here had migraines before they purchased their Kindle or know someone who did, can you please share that experience? Thanks.

Welcome, Jovi, to the Kindleboards, and congatulations on your first posts. I used to have migraines monthly but very rare now. Sounds like you've gotten a lot of good feedback. The suggestion about the 30 day return policy is also a good one! If you decided the Kindle is for you, know that we have plenty of book suggestions in the Book Corner, including free and bargain books, and Book Clubs, too!

Betsy

 

[Linda Cannon-Mott]

In bed for 3 days at a time; puking up a lung...complete darkness; can't even have the flicker of a tv. Spent countless hours being tested and treated for severe vertigo: DECIDED on my own, to keep a food journal...culprit...ONIONS. No onions; no severe migraines...some headaches, but no pouncers for 3+ months now.

sjc I also kept a food journal. Onions, red wine, cheeses and chocolate will do it for me. I've had a few mild ones but the last one that had me in bed for 2 days and throwing up was about 4 months ago. What a blessing!

 

[soapy70]

I also suffer from severe migraines, usually one or two a week depending. The Kindle has been no problem for me but my migraines are caused by severe sinus and allergy problems. -I can tell you I work on a computer all day and I can still sit down with my Kindle at the end of the day. There is a difference in the screens.

 

[MikeD]

I have migraines, but haven't been lucky enough to figure out what causes them yet. But I know that the Kindle doesn't cause them - for me.

The big difference with a Kindle is lack of flicker. When you change a page, the page flicks once and is stable until you choose to change the page again. In the case of a computer monitor, or TV there is a significant flicker factor as the screens flicker constantly faster than you can typically perceive. Some doctors have speculated that it is the flicker of these devices that can cause a migraine. The Kindle is free from this effect. As MonaSW said, YMMV.

 

[KCFoggin]

Well I can tell all you poor migraine sufferers that age does help decrease them.  At least for me.  Haven't had one in several years.  So there are some bright spots to getting older 

 

[Angela]

I, too, am one that suffers from migraines that can put me to bed for hours! I have not had one at all since getting the Kindle. My issue when dry eyes has also improved because there is less eye strain reading the Kindle.

 

[Eli]

Migraines here too. 3 months of food journals and it turned out
to be caffeine. Still get them because I might be able to live
without coffee, but chocolate?, no way.

Anyhoo, no problems with the Kindle causing them.

 

[Angela]

Migraines here too. 3 months of food journals and it turned out
to be caffeine. Still get them because I might be able to live
without coffee, but chocolate?, no way.

Anyhoo, no problems with the Kindle causing them.

I am soooo glad mine is not caffeine related!! I couldn't survive without my coffee and Dr. Peppers!!

 

[Guest]

I used to have migraines monthly but very rare now.
Betsy

Those weren't migraines.

 

[Eli]

Try working 3rd shift and not being able to have coffee.
Some days I'd rather have the migraine.

 

[MonaSW]

Dehydration and not getting 8 hours of sleep a night are a couple of my triggers.

 

[Angela]

Dehydration and not getting 8 hours of sleep a night are a couple of my triggers.

That is me... I am the worst about not drinking enough water!! My migraines happen more often in the the summer when we are outside a lot and I don't drink water!

 

[Jovi]

Wow--thanks everyone for the replies to my post....thanks to the person, too, who added on the (Kindle display) to the subject line so my question wouldn't be confused as off-topic about migraines.

I'm so relieved by what everyone has said!  I can relate what many of you say you experience and also can understand the difference between the monitor flicker and the Kindle display technology.  If the flash does bother me, I'll simply blink when I turn the page.  I have a feeling that the Kindle display will be very comforting to my eyes when reading and look forward to the font adjustments if they help as well.  I don't anticipate needing to return the Kindle, but it's nice to know the return policy is so generous.