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Alcohol and Lower AHI - tiredPerson - 08-11-2018
Back info: after almost 2 months, my AHI has not gone down despite numerous setting and pressure changes. I am having almost entirely centrals still. I've begun sharing this with my Dr office, but they only have one respiratory therapist and she is swamped. I called her to update her but she was with a patient and she hasn't gotten back to me yet. My Dr appointment in Sept.
Usually my AHI is between 6-8. Sometimes more or a little less. But on three distinct occasions where I drank enough alcohol to get tipsy or drunk, my AHI went down to around 2! TWO. This happened all three times I got tipsy since starting CPAP. It's like my diaphragm is working better when I drink... I breathe much stronger. Is it because of my body trying to expel the alcohol?
For those of you with central sleep apnea has this happened to you? I am seriously considering going to a neurologist because I truly feel something complex is going on with me. I've been feeling sort of "loosey goosey" lately... that's the best way I can describe it.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - Sleeprider - 08-11-2018
Read the story by member Spy Car. Similar moderately low AHI and irregular breathing. ASV gave him his life back. It's not for everyone, but if you want to persist in getting the therapy, or self-finance, you will find out what it can offer.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - Airo - 08-17-2018
My AHI is also great in the nights after heavy drinking, all of the days I had a perfect 0.0 score were days I drank heavily and never had a bad score after a night of heavy drinking. Just a couple of beers doesn't do it though.
Weird right
still it doesn't seem like much of a long term solution 
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - Zorki1c - 08-17-2018
Gee. Alcoholism to cure apnea. Sounds like a winner!!!
Sorry for my sarcasm but I am currently trying to bring a 42-year-old daughter back from the brink of suicide because of alcohol.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - Sleep2Snore - 08-17-2018
Research say otherwise, however, some might not fight the machine with a drink in resulting in a lower AHI?
I have not had a good drink in years, so I can't confirm or dispute it.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - sheepless - 08-17-2018
alcohol demonstrably makes snoring worse. for several reasons including that snoring and obstructive apnea go hand in glove and alcohol is a depressant, I've no doubt it makes apnea worse too. maybe OP is an unusual exception, but I'm skeptical.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - tiredPerson - 08-17-2018
I don't think anyone is using it as a cure. I enjoy wine occasionally. It is an observation.
I am 33 yr old otherwise healthy woman and I have to use a breathing machine. I do not know the cause of my apnea. It is not obstructive. I myself had issues with alcohol in my teens and 20's. I could have died but I chose to love myself instead.
I understand how stressful it is to watch a loved one hurt her/his self as one of my relatives was struggling with drugs and almost died. But she also changed her life. People can change.
My advice to you is to keep fighting for that person, but try not to project your frustration with that person on to other people. I know you are experiencing trauma... but try to not be rude.
None of us were saying we use it as a cure. We are saying it is something we don't understand. I am a really busy person and I can not afford to drink alcohol daily. It is a clue for me into what is causing my apnea. Until I see a neurologist I probably wont know.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - tiredPerson - 08-17-2018
(08-17-2018, 04:46 PM)sheepless Wrote: alcohol demonstrably makes snoring worse. for several reasons including that snoring and obstructive apnea go hand in glove and alcohol is a depressant, I've no doubt it makes apnea worse too. maybe OP is an unusual exception, but I'm skeptical.
I understand that you have a hard time believing it, but I am certainly not making it up.
I have about 90% centrals and 10% hypopneas. I do not snore. My throat does not close. I am silent when I sleep.
I simply stop breathing for no apparent reason every night.
I had always thought alcohol would make my apnea worse, but my AHI tells me otherwise.
The ONLY three nights my AHI has been below three are the three times I was tipsy from drinking. I was breathing much stronger. My diaphragm was working better. I felt like I slept well. Why? I have no idea.
That is why I posted on here. Because I'm looking for answers! Looking for clues..
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - tiredPerson - 08-17-2018
(08-17-2018, 04:33 PM)Sleep2Snore Wrote: Research say otherwise, however, some might not fight the machine with a drink in resulting in a lower AHI?
I have not had a good drink in years, so I can't confirm or dispute it.
Do you have clear airways/centrals or obstructives? I'm about 90% central. I am almost certain I have a neurological issue.
RE: Alcohol and Lower AHI - tiredPerson - 08-17-2018
(08-17-2018, 07:35 AM)Airo Wrote: My AHI is also great in the nights after heavy drinking, all of the days I had a perfect 0.0 score were days I drank heavily and never had a bad score after a night of heavy drinking. Just a couple of beers doesn't do it though.
Weird right
No... it really isn't a solution. Heavy drinking is really unhealthy for other reasons. It gets worse and worse.
I really think it might be our lungs getting rid of the alcohol. I was trying to find out if there could be a neurological connection... or what other connection there might be... I've been really scared lately that I have something serious going on.