Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sensitivity To Sun Light?
Question: I've been diagnosed in the past with M S, but I honestly don't feel this issue is related to that. I have a few symptoms, but one in particular no one seems to be able to figure out. That symptom is: as soon as the sun comes up, the brighter the day gets, the weaker I get. The later and darker in the day it gets, the more ability to mobilize I get back. I do not need naps, I am not tired. Drawing the shades does not help, it seems to be a reaction to atmospheric light. I don't take ANY medications, found out a long time ago I was "allergic" to them all. Was experiencing a slow, degenerative debilitating loss of ability to function, just started taking the herb turmeric, and that has stopped the downhill spiral. But I still have the problem of the daylight. Can you help?
Brief Answer:
There is chance of autoimmune disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and try to figure out the cause.
I must admit that I am not 100% sure but the problem may be related to some auto immune phenomenon. The kind of symptoms you are describing are commonly found in various type of lupus (auto immune disorders) and there is possibility that you have some variety of it.
The reason I am suspecting this is due to presence of M S (another auto immune disorder).
This is common observation in medical science that people with one diagnosed auto immune disorder have one or another similar pathology disorder.
I suggest you to talk to your doctor for determination of anti nuclear antibody and other markers of auto immune disease.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
There is chance of autoimmune disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and try to figure out the cause.
I must admit that I am not 100% sure but the problem may be related to some auto immune phenomenon. The kind of symptoms you are describing are commonly found in various type of lupus (auto immune disorders) and there is possibility that you have some variety of it.
The reason I am suspecting this is due to presence of M S (another auto immune disorder).
This is common observation in medical science that people with one diagnosed auto immune disorder have one or another similar pathology disorder.
I suggest you to talk to your doctor for determination of anti nuclear antibody and other markers of auto immune disease.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Is it possible it could have something to do with iron storage --- maybe?
Brief Answer:
I do not think so but ...........
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
After answering your query it occupied most of the mind and was unable to figure out what it could be other than auto immune disorder. Meantime I checked lots of literature but nothing concrete came out.
Possibility of iron storage disorder can be kept since we need to have open mind before making any final conclusion but the available evidence do not support that this symptoms are due to iron storage disorders.
Most of the patients with iron storage disorder are asymptomatic and mostly they present with joint pain, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss, and stomach pain and they are not aggravated by sun light.
Despite extensive effort I did not found any disease which presents exactly in way but presence of MS and multiple drug allergies (inappropriate immune reaction) is giving clue for auto immune disorders as I stated in last reply to the query. Getting evaluation for them is not bad idea as they are based on simple blood tests.
I hope this clarifies the problem. If you have any other question let me know. I will be glad to answer you.
Thanks and regards
I do not think so but ...........
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
After answering your query it occupied most of the mind and was unable to figure out what it could be other than auto immune disorder. Meantime I checked lots of literature but nothing concrete came out.
Possibility of iron storage disorder can be kept since we need to have open mind before making any final conclusion but the available evidence do not support that this symptoms are due to iron storage disorders.
Most of the patients with iron storage disorder are asymptomatic and mostly they present with joint pain, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss, and stomach pain and they are not aggravated by sun light.
Despite extensive effort I did not found any disease which presents exactly in way but presence of MS and multiple drug allergies (inappropriate immune reaction) is giving clue for auto immune disorders as I stated in last reply to the query. Getting evaluation for them is not bad idea as they are based on simple blood tests.
I hope this clarifies the problem. If you have any other question let me know. I will be glad to answer you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Hello, and thank you for your insight.
Joint pain is present ... symptoms of arthritis ... which is why I began to take the turmeric, which is helping a lot. My entire right side is cramped and tight. (Tetany?)
I do have a general weakness, it gets worse as day wears on and day gets brighter, and better as day gets later and darker. Middle of the day when sun is high in the sky is when I have no ability to move. I dont know if iron in the blood or body is affected by the sun's magnetism, but that is why I thought of an iron storage problem. Iron is either not getting into the mitrochondria, or not being used by it. Or not allowing oxygen in. ?
All other times I am still weak though, and use a rollator (walker with wheels) that I can sit on and must be pushed around in. Last night I was able to use the walker and walk into the restroom by my self though! I think because of the turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties. And because it was nighttime!
A year or two ago, as this problem was developing, I was able to walk by myself in the morning and at night all the time ... but had to sit all afternoon, as I couldnt move. Again, I am not tired and not sleepy! And I do not take any pharmaceuticals... though I know that if I did I would react badly with an allergic reaction. (I had a toe infection about six months ago and was prescribed antibiotics twice, with allergic reactions to both, until I finally went to a podiatrist after taking antibiotic herbs for a while and he removed the nail and that's all it was. I was highly allergic to each of the antibiotics, and it confirmed what i knew, i cant use pharmaceuticals.)
It seems that the bottom line is the liver (being the "sewer-system" of the body) is not working. I have done some research and decided to TRY a liver diet for "fatty liver", and a liver cleanse, hoping to clean it out from any toxins. Hopefully if the liver starts working right the allergies will disappear and the energy cycle will begin working correctly.
What do you think about all this? I did also make an appointment with a doctor who is both an MD and a Naturopathic doctor at the end of October ... Please let me know if you think this may have something to do with the liver ... or whatever!? I am open to all possibilities ... this just seems to be going downhill fast. Thank you for any and all thoughts on this. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Joint pain is present ... symptoms of arthritis ... which is why I began to take the turmeric, which is helping a lot. My entire right side is cramped and tight. (Tetany?)
I do have a general weakness, it gets worse as day wears on and day gets brighter, and better as day gets later and darker. Middle of the day when sun is high in the sky is when I have no ability to move. I dont know if iron in the blood or body is affected by the sun's magnetism, but that is why I thought of an iron storage problem. Iron is either not getting into the mitrochondria, or not being used by it. Or not allowing oxygen in. ?
All other times I am still weak though, and use a rollator (walker with wheels) that I can sit on and must be pushed around in. Last night I was able to use the walker and walk into the restroom by my self though! I think because of the turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties. And because it was nighttime!
A year or two ago, as this problem was developing, I was able to walk by myself in the morning and at night all the time ... but had to sit all afternoon, as I couldnt move. Again, I am not tired and not sleepy! And I do not take any pharmaceuticals... though I know that if I did I would react badly with an allergic reaction. (I had a toe infection about six months ago and was prescribed antibiotics twice, with allergic reactions to both, until I finally went to a podiatrist after taking antibiotic herbs for a while and he removed the nail and that's all it was. I was highly allergic to each of the antibiotics, and it confirmed what i knew, i cant use pharmaceuticals.)
It seems that the bottom line is the liver (being the "sewer-system" of the body) is not working. I have done some research and decided to TRY a liver diet for "fatty liver", and a liver cleanse, hoping to clean it out from any toxins. Hopefully if the liver starts working right the allergies will disappear and the energy cycle will begin working correctly.
What do you think about all this? I did also make an appointment with a doctor who is both an MD and a Naturopathic doctor at the end of October ... Please let me know if you think this may have something to do with the liver ... or whatever!? I am open to all possibilities ... this just seems to be going downhill fast. Thank you for any and all thoughts on this. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Brief Answer:
you can get your routine (includes liver and iron) blood parameters for auto immune disorders in short time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your kind words and posting wonderful follow up.
I agree with few of things about both liver problem and iron storage disorders but the pattern of problem(increased problem as sun advances) do not match the typical presentation that we typically see in these disorders.
Other than this both of disorders (fatty liver and iron storage disorder) are diagnosed by both clinical history and laboratory examination. The iron storage disorders are generally suspected when we get high serum ferritin concentration or liver or heart disease which can not be explained by available parameters.
It will be highly appropriate if you can get your routine (includes liver and iron) blood parameters for auto immune disorders in short time. They may give some insight about rare disorders which we as a doctor see in books and never see a patient of them.
I also advice you to get bone scan as most of the disorders having sensitivity/intolerance to sunlight have deranged bone metabolism.
At this moment with available information I am not able to think beyond connective tissue disorders among which auto immune etiology predominates.
Thanks for your patience.
With best regards
you can get your routine (includes liver and iron) blood parameters for auto immune disorders in short time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your kind words and posting wonderful follow up.
I agree with few of things about both liver problem and iron storage disorders but the pattern of problem(increased problem as sun advances) do not match the typical presentation that we typically see in these disorders.
Other than this both of disorders (fatty liver and iron storage disorder) are diagnosed by both clinical history and laboratory examination. The iron storage disorders are generally suspected when we get high serum ferritin concentration or liver or heart disease which can not be explained by available parameters.
It will be highly appropriate if you can get your routine (includes liver and iron) blood parameters for auto immune disorders in short time. They may give some insight about rare disorders which we as a doctor see in books and never see a patient of them.
I also advice you to get bone scan as most of the disorders having sensitivity/intolerance to sunlight have deranged bone metabolism.
At this moment with available information I am not able to think beyond connective tissue disorders among which auto immune etiology predominates.
Thanks for your patience.
With best regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
