• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Red and near-infrared light therapy, LEDs

Nord Wolf

The Northman
Messages
586
Location
New England
Had my Vitamin D levels checked a few weeks back. 150 nmol/L was the final count. My doc of course says this is perfect and exactly where he wants to see my D numbers stay. For the average person, the guidelines state at the end of summer an individuals numbers should measure between 100-150 nmol/L (40-60 ng/ml) in order for the body to store enough Vit D in body fat and have 25 (OH)D in circulation to sustain one throughout the winter. Most people never reach these levels of D in their bodies unless they are taking quality supplements.

My wife has Parkinson’s, and her specialist also wants to see her levels stable at 150 nmol/L.

Between taking 20,000 ius of Vitamin D3 with 250mcg of K1 and K2 for a year, plus an average of 2-3 hours of sunlight per day since May, my numbers look solid.

Our plan was to move to a southern region for the winter months this year, since we get 0 UVs during winter and have an average of 70-75% cloud cover. But, between the effort to pack for 4 months, secure the house for winter uninhabited, drive 3 full 10 hour days to reach our destination, it is a huge gamble. This is especially so since the effort to move would take place in the time of year I tend to sink very low with severe ME/CFS. The southern region could very easily have an above average cloudy winter with above average rainfall. All that effort could all too easily be for not.

So, we decided to remain here. We bought this lamp, which is the only FDA approved UV Lamp on the market. I’ve started using it and will continue throughout the autumn and coming winter. Then in mid winter, while still taking 20,000 ius of Vit D3, we will test the D levels again.

Sperti KBD Sunlamp – UVB Phototherapy Lamp

I was starting to feel better (than I did over last winter) in May and early June, but then the humidity and heat moved in and I’ve been struggling again ever since. A large part of it is my lung condition, a major symptom of mine from ME/CFS. The lungs get hit hard by humidity, high heat levels, increase air particulates, etc. So, since mid July when the real heat and humidity moved in, my condition has been raunchy again. Not as bad as winter was, but much worse than last summer. Hopefully my visit to pulmonology in a couple weeks will reveal something we can work with.

I’m also still awaiting the MRS imaging test. My guess is that will happen in the next month.
 

Johannes

Senior Member
Messages
324
I have rented an apparment from Costa Del Sol, Spain for December through March. And flights. Lets see if it helps...
 

Johannes

Senior Member
Messages
324
@linusbert I have a bit heavier unit, see photo. It has 10pcs 100W narrow band UVB lamps plus four 100W UVA lamps. This used to be part of solarium bed but it was converted into this. Two minutes from the distance of 50cm is the maximum time for me. I tested the effects with blood tests. It didn't have much effect. My vitamin D level rise up only 7 nmol/l using it with the maximum dose, which was 2 minutes to my back and 2 minutes to my front once every two days. The effect was smaller than taking one 10mcg vit D3 pill every day. So not that much. It didn't cause me the same effect than the sun does. In fact, I didn't notice any positive effects from using it for four months during winter.

I am going to dismantle this unit and recycle it. 20221105_104812.jpg
 
Last edited:

linusbert

Senior Member
Messages
1,157
@linusbert I have a bit heavier unit, see photo. It has 10pcs 100W narrow band UVB lamps plus four 100W UVA lamps. This used to be part of solarium bed but it was converted into this. Two minutes from the distance of 50cm is the maximum time for me. I tested the effects with blood tests. It didn't have much effect. My vitamin D level rise up only 7 nmol/l using it with the maximum dose, which was 2 minutes to my back and 2 minutes to my front once every two days. The effect was smaller than taking one 10mcg vit D3 pill every day. So not that much. It didn't cause me the same effect than the sun does. In fact, I didn't notice any positive effects from using it for four months during winter.

I am going to dismantle this unit and recycle it.View attachment 49865
this looks like a cool setup.
maybe the UVB isnt the optimal wavelength?

i think to max out this vector the medical 500$ might be best.

there is also the posibility that vitamin D production via skin is broken for some of us. i never got high levels even from the sun.
 

Johannes

Senior Member
Messages
324
this looks like a cool setup.
maybe the UVB isnt the optimal wavelength?

i think to max out this vector the medical 500$ might be best.

there is also the posibility that vitamin D production via skin is broken for some of us. i never got high levels even from the sun.

I also tested Green, blue, infrared, Red, near-infrared and bright light (SAD) wave lenghts together with UVA and UVB. Only Red and near-infrared light helped me.