OSA + CPAP + booze = ?

[stage0]

You should also know that booze will alter your sleep cycle. It tends towards (but not preventing) you from stage 3 and REM stages of sleep. Long term abuse has be documented to keep a person in stage2 while sleeping. While you will get to sleep faster, by not cycling thru stages 3 and REM on those nites you have a drink, will cause lethargy the next day.

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/alerts/l/blnaa41.htm
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/ ... ep-hygiene
rpsgt who see it happening .....as in ppl coming to a sleep study tipsy

[chezdan9]

Here's a tip: never put bourbon in your humidifier reservoir. Trust me.

[bavinck]

I was thinking that would work well lol

[BlackSpinner]

Here's a tip: never put bourbon in your humidifier reservoir. Trust me.

And also don't attempt to drink it while wearing a full face mask.

[JohnBFisher]

Here's a tip: never put bourbon in your humidifier reservoir. Trust me.

And also don't attempt to drink it while wearing a full face mask.

Reminds me of my drinking problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4plPGRG8o

[Apneanderthal]

My doctor has never said anything about alcohol to me. I'm not a heavy drinker, but I do enjoy craft beer, wine, and whiskies. In three months I haven't seen alcohol make any difference to my OSA or CSA. With that said, it certainly affects my sleep architecture. If I have more than one or two drinks, I'm sure to fall asleep fast but be wide awake 3-4 hours later and done for the night.

[icipher]

I have moderat CSA with Hypopneas.

When I have a night of substantial drinking, my ahi is almost always significantly lower the next morning. My 30 day average is 1.5. Last saturday I went out for a christmas party and was quite drunk when I went to bed(I rarely do this.) I woke up8 hours later with a .7 ahi.

[StuUnderPressure]

Here's a tip: never put bourbon in your humidifier reservoir. Trust me.

I thought that was where they got the term "Hot Totty (sp?)"

And, NO, I am NOT drinking right now!

[ems]

I just called my doctor to report back on something she had asked me about when I saw her a few weeks ago. I thought I would get the receptionist and the doctor would call back eventually, since it wasn't an emergency. To my surprise, the doctor answered the phone herself.

We discussed the reason I had called and then I asked her about... this thread. She had a good laugh and told me not to drink and drive and that having a drink or two wasn't going to hurt me one bit. If I have a drink or two a year that's a lot for me, but I wanted to get her opinion since this was not something we had ever discussed. She is a pulmonary sleep specialist and highly regarded in my area. End of story.

[bavinck]

I just called my doctor to report back on something she had asked me about when I saw her a few weeks ago. I thought I would get the receptionist and the doctor would call back eventually, since it wasn't an emergency. To my surprise, the doctor answered the phone herself.

We discussed the reason I had called and then I asked her about... this thread. She had a good laugh and told me not to drink and drive and that having a drink or two wasn't going to hurt me one bit. If I have a drink or two a year that's a lot for me, but I wanted to get her opinion since this was not something we had ever discussed. She is a pulmonary sleep specialist and highly regarded in my area. End of story.

Thanks ems, mighty appreciated. I think I might have a beer tonight with my friends:)

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

All of my sleep specialists have warned me about taking sedating drugs and drinking booze. I find it difficult to believe, truly difficult...very skeptical...that most on here who have been told they have OSA have also not had a discussion with their sleep physician about booze and apnea.

Eric

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep- ... sk-factors

"Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/1 ... 86434.html

"It Makes Sleep Problems You Already Have Even Worse

Alcohol decreases muscle tone in the upper airway, meaning that breathing-related sleep issues are exacerbated after you've had a couple of drinks, Mehra says. That's especially bad news for people with obstructive sleep apnea, who stop breathing for short periods during sleep when their airway is blocked: Since alcohol makes the airways especially collapsible, people suffering from sleep apnea tend stop breathing more frequently and for longer periods after drinking. The reduced muscle tone from even a couple of drinks also aggravates less serious, but more familiar, problems. "It worsens snoring," Mehra says. "I can attest to that with my husband."

[ems]

All of my sleep specialists have warned me about taking sedating drugs and drinking booze. I find it difficult to believe, truly difficult...very skeptical...that most on here who have been told they have OSA have also not had a discussion with their sleep physician about booze and apnea.

Eric

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep- ... sk-factors

"Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/1 ... 86434.html

"It Makes Sleep Problems You Already Have Even Worse

Alcohol decreases muscle tone in the upper airway, meaning that breathing-related sleep issues are exacerbated after you've had a couple of drinks, Mehra says. That's especially bad news for people with obstructive sleep apnea, who stop breathing for short periods during sleep when their airway is blocked: Since alcohol makes the airways especially collapsible, people suffering from sleep apnea tend stop breathing more frequently and for longer periods after drinking. The reduced muscle tone from even a couple of drinks also aggravates less serious, but more familiar, problems. "It worsens snoring," Mehra says. "I can attest to that with my husband."

There is a HUGE difference between having an occasional drink and having 3-4 drinks every day or before bed time. Use your head!

[ems]

I just called my doctor to report back on something she had asked me about when I saw her a few weeks ago. I thought I would get the receptionist and the doctor would call back eventually, since it wasn't an emergency. To my surprise, the doctor answered the phone herself.

We discussed the reason I had called and then I asked her about... this thread. She had a good laugh and told me not to drink and drive and that having a drink or two wasn't going to hurt me one bit. If I have a drink or two a year that's a lot for me, but I wanted to get her opinion since this was not something we had ever discussed. She is a pulmonary sleep specialist and highly regarded in my area. End of story.

Thanks ems, mighty appreciated. I think I might have a beer tonight with my friends:)

Only one... and don't drink and drive.

[Bill44133]

All of my sleep specialists have warned me about taking sedating drugs and drinking booze. I find it difficult to believe, truly difficult...very skeptical...that most on here who have been told they have OSA have also not had a discussion with their sleep physician about booze and apnea.

Eric

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep- ... sk-factors

"Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/1 ... 86434.html

"It Makes Sleep Problems You Already Have Even Worse

Alcohol decreases muscle tone in the upper airway, meaning that breathing-related sleep issues are exacerbated after you've had a couple of drinks, Mehra says. That's especially bad news for people with obstructive sleep apnea, who stop breathing for short periods during sleep when their airway is blocked: Since alcohol makes the airways especially collapsible, people suffering from sleep apnea tend stop breathing more frequently and for longer periods after drinking. The reduced muscle tone from even a couple of drinks also aggravates less serious, but more familiar, problems. "It worsens snoring," Mehra says. "I can attest to that with my husband."

Did you show up drunk for your Doctor appointment?

[JohnO]

Do you have an Auto-CPAP machine? If you do, and if you have 3-4 drinks one night before bed, you will get a chance to see the machine earn its keep.

I usually am a one (craft) beer a night guy, but every few months I'll have a few. On those nights, instead of my Auto-CPAP staying steady with a pressure around 9.5 to 10, it'll frequently go up to 11.5 or 12 for a period of time.

So yes, in the spirit of experimenting (my gift to you all) I can confirm that the drinking does impact sleep apnea, but also can show that the auto-CPAP increases pressure to keep your SpO2 where it needs to be.

As St. Thomas Aquinas used to say, "Everything in Moderation, including Moderation!"

I'll drink to that!

John