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Everyone is very individual in this regard although, I would not drink alcohol (or anything else probably) within about 3 hours of bedtime anyway, except on a very very rare occasion ( like summer of 2008 I did this the last time at a party). That would affect most people's sleep.

I enjoy Scotch myself and I had one yesterday just before dinner. If I drink, it is just before dinner or some wine with dinner and, even then about once every few weeks.

By the way, my AHI last night was 0.7. It is almost always below 1.

It's strange because for me when I drink some wine or beer ,my AHI going down......

I say, as with most things in life, everything in moderation. I drink on occasion, and on rare occasion I drink a little more than I should. While I notice a bit of a change in my numbers when I have had more than I should, if I have only had one or two, any changes are negligible.

So in my mind, since we are all different and things effect us differently, do what works for you!

I should have quit drinking when I quit smoking! Although maybe I have quit drinking...I used to have a couple of glasses of wine or maybe a Makers Mark Whisky to unwind but have not done so in the four weeks I've been on cpap. I don't feel a need to have a drink it's just I miss the little buzz. Oh well, I guess I'll see how long it takes before I can say I quit drinking too...and with the money I save I can buy a new mask every three months. LOL Thanks!

I was smoking at age 14 and quit 4 years ago on the birth of my first son.
I was drinking at aged 16 and daily at age 18. I went to university in Europe where the drinking age is 18 and the party scene is just amazing

I notice that my numbers are lower with my APAP when i drink. I get through about a liter of rum a week and need to work on cutting down. I do take supplements for my liver.

I'm averaging 8.45 hours sleep a night and even drinking up to an hour before bedtime i notice from my charts that i have hardly any events AIs or HIs in the first 4 hours, most events come in the last hours of sleep.

rickskids wrote:I should have quit drinking when I quit smoking! Although maybe I have quit drinking...I used to have a couple of glasses of wine or maybe a Makers Mark Whisky to unwind but have not done so in the four weeks I've been on cpap. I don't feel a need to have a drink it's just I miss the little buzz. Oh well, I guess I'll see how long it takes before I can say I quit drinking too...and with the money I save I can buy a new mask every three months. LOL Thanks!

I don't think you necessarily have to quit altogether! I would just try to have your drinks in the late afternoon....if possible. If I drink wine or beer after 7PM...it will affect my sleep. I try to have a beverage around 4 or 5PM...if my work schedule allows it. Then...no problems!

I agree that the average person on CPAP probably does not need to abstain completely.

However, speaking strictly for myself: If I found myself drinking "to unwind" every evening and "missed the little buzz" when I didn't drink, I would likely think it time to sit myself down and seriously consider whether it would be good for me to quit completely for a while, just to see how I felt about it looking back after a few months without it. But, hey, that's just me.

jeff

I think the beauty of cpap seems to be the ability to monitor the effects of different things on your treatment. As someone else has said, a week with and a week without is a very good idea.

The other good thing about that idea is that if 'you' feel that because of the results you must stop, it will have been a conscious decision by 'you', not something else imposed on you by advisors. I think we all find it difficult to blindly obey an instruction to give up stuff we like or start doing things we're not comfortable with.

Much easier if you decide your self

I think a little of what you fancy is good for you if you don't over do it but, with osa it is wise to prove it is okay first.

HIC!

For those of you experiencing less apnea with Alcohol consumption, could be less but quite possibly longer Apnea! Of course, adds to the buzz

Proven fact, alcohol makes you sleep lighter and I'm sure it effects sleep stages. Hah, a cure!! Less apnea with lighter sleep, now I understand!!

New design!! CPAP with 'beer cozy' and ash tray. Maybe a Tv Remote too!! Never have to leave bed!!


Cheers,

SG

Agree with the previous post that it is an individual response. I have no significantly different AHI, snores, pressure or leaks with alcohol intake, and I mean significantly over the limit. I think my sleep quality sucks, but my apnea is not affected, and AHI is always under 3 (untreated it is around 60). I don't advocate being a lush, but if you can read data, you will know pretty quickly if alcohol reduces the efficacy of your treatment.

She asked a question which no one really just answered, She didn't ask for advice, she asked if alcohol would effect her cpap treatment.

The answer is yes!

It will be better for you to use your cpap than to not use it.

As you read drinking relaxes the everything more and doesn't alert the brain as much.

If your on an auto cpap then there is really no worry as that will titrate it.

But if you drink I would wear the cpap, because without it you will even be worse off.

You're talking to a historical echo from 2009...I doubt if the original posters are still reading the thread *smile*.

For the record, it has been proven that alcohol is detrimental to nearly anything mental.
Sleep is just one of many processes that require a brain that is fully functional.

rickskids wrote:I'm so thrilled with the results I have had, I'm worried about the effects of alcohol on my sleeping. I've been doing this four weeks and really don't want anything to set me back. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

No, but it will affect your treatment. Cheers.

Good point:
Affect is a verb; effect is a noun.