Second sleep study, will they know if I drink?

[Stzstz]

I have my second sleep study soon. I can't seem to go to bed without a drink prior. I couldn't sleep during my last test so I had to leave. I usually have a drink before bed and that does the trick. Will they know if I have alcohol in my system? Even if its just 1 or 2 beers?

[BlackSpinner]

Just do it and tell them. How is this different from a sleep pill?

[chunkyfrog]

--yikes!
I drink once in a great while, but I never "need" it; if you do, that might be something else to look into.

[Sludge]

One or two shouldn't make a difference, but large quantities of alcohol and/or changes in drinking pattern usually leave a fingerprint (sleep fragmentation, REM changes, etc.).

[zoocrewphoto]

I was told that they would not do the study if I had any alcohol the day of the study.

Have you asked for a sleep aid?

[Sludge]

Every night?
(this is going to be interesting)

Which, the sleep study or the thread discussion?

[chunkyfrog]

Both, I am sure.
(yes, I changed my post--trying to be more tactful)

[Nick Danger]

If it is literally 1 or 2 beers per night, that is unlikely to lead to dependence: assuming you are talking about 12 ounce beers. In my experience; however, "one or two" or "a couple" is the most frequent answer I get when talking to clients with an unacknowledged drinking problem. In any event, if you haven't had enough to drink to make it unsafe to drive, they are very unlikely to know. Make sure it isn't on your breath and just indicate you haven't had anything. I've never seen a sleep technician administer a breathalyzer or take a blood sample. If you have drunk enough to be intoxicated, there may be some irregularities on the EEG.

[archangle]

Get a sleep aid from your doctor, even if you have to fight your doctor for it. The doctor may be reluctant for fear that will affect the results, but if you don't sleep, that affects the results even more. Your doctor isn't the one paying for a useless sleep test if you can't sleep.

Be sure the doctor specifies it's optional just in case you can't sleep.

Even non-drinkers sometimes can't sleep in the sleep lab.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Well, there are always bathrooms available, so if you have to have a drink, then you can go in there to do the deed. If you are asking can they see data showing you were drinking during the sleep study, then yes there will probably be spike in your blood pressure that can be anywhere from mild to severe depending on how much you drink, plus your pulse rate is likely to go up. Deep sleep stages are also affected by alcohol, tho that may be harder to determine by the sleep technicians. Also, if you have a successful night of sleep, then they are not likely to say anything, unless you get completely snoggered, which is never a good idea at bedtime anyway. As a general practice, I try to avoid alcohol 3-4 hours before my customary bedtime.

[SandysSpot]

Hey I saw your post over on Reddit as well

Here's the thing for me - I don't have any issues going to sleep. I'll fall asleep within the first 10 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. It doesn't matter if I'm home, at family's, in a hotel, and even camping in a tent! Instant sleep! Cool, right?

Except for the night of my sleep study. I am kicking myself for not accepting my doctor's offer to write a script for a sleep aid for the night. If I ever have a study done again, I know just to get one. Thankfully they got enough to determine my issue and I'm on the cpap now and am working towards feeling better.

Give you doc a call for the script. It's better to wind down on something they're aware of rather than something you have to hide from them.

[archangle]

BTW, I suspect the smarter sleep techs will know you've had a drink or two, but probably won't say anything about it or won't argue if you deny it. They're bored, they've seen it all, and some of them are pretty smart. I've heard some of the wild tales they tell among themselves about problem patients.

[Day_Dreamer]

BTW, I suspect the smarter sleep techs will know you've had a drink or two, but probably won't say anything about it or won't argue if you deny it. They're bored, they've seen it all, and some of them are pretty smart. I've heard some of the wild tales they tell among themselves about problem patients.

They didn't when I showed up with 4 beers in my system

I still couldn't sleep

Since on CPAP sleep Doc said no alcohol period. 5 months without.....


But the wagon has been rocking all week so there is a good chance I may fall off this week-end

[MeToo]

If you regularly drink, like I do, then why wouldn't you want to do the study under those conditions. It doesn't make sense (to me) to get pressure set sans alcohol and then go home and resume your nightly cocktail. I told sleep technicians that I had 2 glasses of wine and they were fine with proceeding with the sleep study.

[Guest]

If it is literally 1 or 2 beers per night, that is unlikely to lead to dependence:

1 or 2 beers per night over a week or a month may not be dependence but over years certainly is.